“Thank you. It’s small, but I really like it.”
“You’ve done a lot with the space. You're bloody brilliant with décor.”
I blush under his compliment. “It’s home.” I shrug. “Want the ten-second tour?”
“Please.”
I take him around, showing him each space, and telling him about all the updates I’ve requested from management. It takes minutes, and I have no doubt that his place is something else entirely, but you’d never know it. His eyes are wide and his smile genuine as he takes in every space.
“And that’s it. I’m assuming you live in some fancy townhouse,” I say as we settle down on the sofa together in the living room.
He laughs. “What makes you say that?”
“Oh, you know, you’re only the CEO of a huge advertising and marketing firm. I mean, no big deal.”
“I have a nice flat. But it’s not huge.” He shrugs one shoulder. “Maybe I’ll invite you over someday,” he teases.
“Maybe I’ll decide to feed you tonight.”
He laughs, throwing his head back. “I see how things are. Tit for tat.”
I make my way toward the kitchen. “Would you like some wine?”
“Please,” he calls back.
I quickly pour two glasses of Pinot Noir and head back to the loveseat, plopping down next to Charles.
“Exactly,” I say, taking a sip of wine. “This is nice, Charles.”
“What?” he asks, pulling me into his side.
“This. Us,” I explain. “It feels so normal.”
He’s very quiet, and for a moment, I wonder if I’m coming across as too pushy. We said slow, and he’s made it perfectly clear he’s not a dater.
“It’s just that we’ve experienced possibly the weirdest start to a relationship ever, and this bit of normality is actually quite welcome.”
“Quite,” he agrees. “We have done things rather backwards, haven’t we?”
I laugh. “Epic understatement.”
“I have a question.”
“Bloody hell. Why do I get the feeling I’m about to be interrogated?”
I chuckle. “Nothing like that. It’s just that I’m curious. Have you done something like this before?”
“Like what?” he asks, brows furrowed.
“Sorry. I’m talking about that first night. When you kissed me in the closet?”
His lips form a straight line, and for a moment, I think he’s going to refuse to reply. “Are you sure you want me to answer that?”
“I’m just curious.”
“Would you believe me if I told you it was my first time?”
I tap my chin, faking contemplation.