“Sounds great,” he said, and flashed me another grin. “But honestly, I don’t care what we do, babe. I’m just happy to be here.”
“That makes things easier.”
I smiled as I turned off onto the PCH. I wanted to point out the sights to him, but the sun had set a while ago. The highway was mostly dark, and he wouldn’t be able to see anything anyway.
“So, you’re cooking for me, huh?”
“Yes,” I said as I kept my eyes on the road.
“What are we having?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.” I gave him a grin. “We’re almost there.”
• • •
When I pulled into my complex, I glanced at Cal and saw his eyes widen as the gate opened. The grounds of my complex were even prettier at night, filled with lights that twinkled in the trees.
“Jules, this place is gorgeous.”
“Yeah. I love it.”
After shutting off the engine, I popped the trunk and reached for my purse. Cal walked around the car and kissed me before hugging me tight. We stood like that, wrapped in each other’s arms in the parking lot, not caring about anything or anyone else in that moment. Being with Cal made me feel like time had stopped.
He lightly smacked my ass before he grabbed his bag and reached for my hand, intertwining our fingers as I led the way.
“I’m on the top floor.”
When I opened the front door, he stopped dead in his tracks and stared. “Jules.”
“I know, right?” I knew he was seeing the place the same way I had when I first toured it. My apartment was spectacular. It truly was.
“It’s unbelievable.” His gaze wandered from the kitchen to the living room and back to the floors.
“I fell in love with it the second I walked in. Wait until you see the bedrooms and the bathrooms. They’re ridiculous.” I walked toward my bedroom as he followed, running his hand along my kitchen countertop.
We rounded the corner and walked through the doorway of my bedroom. The space was massive, with a fireplace in one corner and double doors that led to the terrace outside.
Cal’s eyes widened even more. “You have a fireplace in your bedroom?”
I nodded. It was fun seeing my place through new eyes again. It reminded me exactly how I had first felt.
He shook his head. “I don’t know if I can handle seeing anything else, Jules. Your place is ridiculous.”
“Welcome to Malibu?” I wasn’t sure why I phrased it as a question, but that’s how it came out of my mouth.
“I guess.”
“Put your bag anywhere. I’m going to start dinner.”
“Hey,” he said before taking me in his arms. “Thank you. For making dinner and for letting me come out.”
“Of course,” I said as if it took no effort or was something I did all the time.
“Wait, I have something for you.” He opened his bag and carefully pulled out a brown paper box. “Here,” he said, shoving it toward me with a grin a mile wide.
“What’s this?” I said, the weight of it catching me off-guard. The nondescript box was heavy.
“Open it, Jules. You’ll like it.”