"Five minutes."
"Was that really forty minutes?"
"Did it feel like less?"
Her laugh lights up her blue eyes. They're gorgeous eyes. But even with her smiling, there's a sadness in them.
I hate it.
I want to destroy it.
I hate that I want to destroy it.
I offer her the spoon "You want the first taste?"
"Okay." She moves into the kitchen. Her fingers brush mine as she takes the spoon. She brings it to her lips and licks a drop. "Mmm. Mocha icing is too good. It's criminal." Pleasure spills over her expression. Her eyes flutter closed. Her lips part with a sigh. Her brow softens.
It's like before.
Well, not quite.
But it's still fucking inviting.
She blinks her eyes open as she hands the spoon back. "I'm doing it again, aren't I?"
"You get off on caffeine."
She laughs. "Yeah. Kinda."
"Does tea inspire the same reaction?"
"It's not nearly as intense."
"Good to know." I lick icing from the spoon. It's too sweet for me, but it's still fucking good.
"Aren't you supposed to say something about how we already had dessert?"
"You giving me tips on my game again?"
"As long as you still need them."
"Turns out you're not supposed to frost a cake until it's cool."
"Ah."
"Which means you'll have to come back here after dinner."
Her lips curl into a smile. "You had a master plan?"
"If making you come again counts as a master plan, yeah."
Iris smooths her skirt as she looks around the restaurant's courtyard. "Hmm."
"Hmm?"
"Candles. Flowers." She nods to the vase with a single rose on the side of the table. "Outdoor atmosphere."
"Yeah?"
"Romantic."
I shake my head. "All the places around here are like this."
"Perfect for a date?"
"Homey."
Her eyes meet mine. "I was going to ask about that."
I arch a brow.
"This neighborhood is all families."
"And?"
"And you're not exactly that type of guy."
"You're stereotyping me again."
She laughs. "Yeah. A little." She picks up her menu and runs her fingers over its edges. "But still. You could live in Venice Beach. Closer to the shop."
"It's more expensive there."
"Is that it?"
"Mostly." I like being this close to the beach. And far away from everyone else. And, hell, I like the quiet. There's enough noise at the shop all day.
She turns her gaze to her menu. Presses her lips together. "You think it has something to do with growing up in Beverly Hills?"
Probably. I'm used to this kind of suburban paradise in the city, families and expensive cars everywhere. But I'm not that far into Santa Monica. My building is all young professionals and artists. Well, artists who can afford the obscene rent.
"Shit." She bites her lip. "I'm doing it again."
"Iris the shrink."
"At least I caught it." She closes her menu, sets it on the table, and looks to me. "No more. I promise."
"I don't believe you."
"You shouldn't. I will. I'm awful."
"You are." I lean a little closer. The moonlight brings out her blue eyes. "But I like it."
She draws circles on the menu with her pointer finger. "I'll tone it down. I swear."
I lean back. "We'll see."
"Yeah." She copies my posture. Hangs her arm over her chair. Adopts a disaffected expression.
My laugh feels fuller than usual. "You really nail me."
"It's the other way around."
"That's cheesy."
"Still."
The server stops at our table. We order dinner and hand over our menus.
She doesn't get a drink.
I follow her lead.
It's not unusual. Especially at a place without a full bar. Not everyone is into wine—fuck knows I'm not.
But still.
It seems intentional.
I straighten my back. Move closer. "How are your steps going?"
Her cheeks flush. "Okay, I guess. I feel embarrassed even thinking about it."
"Then why do it?"
"What else am I gonna do?"
"Live your life."
"Yeah…" She pulls her arm across her chest. Runs her fingers over the ink on her forearm.
You are not your mistakes.
I still don't know what it means.
What she's trying to escape.
But I want to.
"What are the other steps?" I bring my glass to my lips. Take a long sip. Fuck, I'm thirsty. She wore me out.
"It's boring."
"Not to me."
She wraps her fingers around her glass. Stares at the water like it holds all the secrets to the universe. "A lot of basic stuff. Eat right. Sleep right. Exercise."
"Sounds reasonable."
"Yeah. I guess. It all takes so much time and energy though. Don't you think?" Her eyes go to my chest. My shoulders. My forearms. "No, I guess you wouldn't."
I chuckle. "I didn't realize I was derailing your life plan with that cake."
"It was sweet. Different." She brings her glass to her lips and takes a long sip. Another. She swallows hard. Wipes her lips with her thumb. "There's other stuff."
"I imagine."
Her eyes go to the table. Her voice gets nervous. "Get in touch with old friends. Make new ones."
"How's that going?"
Her lips curl into a half smile. "I'm here."
Yeah. But she's not quite here. She's thinking something.
I'm not used to it.
I don't like it.
I want all her attention. "And Sandy?"
She laughs. "Yeah. And Sandy."
"You don't like her?"
"No. I do. Just she…"
"Can't stop gushing about her boyfriend?"
"Exactly." Iris laughs. "I thought I was the only person who found it obnoxious."
I shake my head. "I figured it was a girl thing. That he had some amazing trait I couldn't see."
"No. He's nice. And… nice." She pulls the paper off her straw and slides it in her glass. "How did you meet?"
"I did her sleeve."
She nods. "It's good."
"Thanks."
"Really. You're a talented guy."
"I know." I lean back. Press my palm into my thighs. Truth be told, I don't know what to do with praise. I'm not used to it. Not from someone I trust.
She stares back into my eyes. "I'm working on that one."
"The guys at the shop, we do a lot of shit. You're welcome to join."
"Oh baby, you're seducing me with that invitation."
I laugh. Okay. That wasn't smooth. But I'm not sure how to handle this. Usually, I'm trying to draw a hard line between my life and a woman's. "It's fun. Leighton usually comes. And Emma and Kaylee tag along too."