I love how short she is.

“This is so beautiful.”

“Not nearly as beautiful as you are.”

She smiles, but I can see the fatigue in her eyes. She works herself to the bone. Today was almost twelve hours long, just like the two before it.

“I have another surprise,” I inform her and take her hand, leading her upstairs. We walk through her bedroom to the master bath and she gasps. “Simon, this is just…indulgent.”

“You deserve it.” I’ve filled her tub with hot water and lavender oil with rose petals floating on top. “I’m going to help you in, but don’t fall asleep. Dinner will be arriving soon.”

“Oh God, I’m hungry,” she groans, and then sighs in delight when her body is enveloped in the hot water. All I can think about is how fucking amazing she looks, naked, soft, in the water. I want to join her and fuck her senseless in the water, but I hold myself back. This is all about her. “Goodness, a girl could get used to this.”

That’s my hope.

“Should I come check on you in a few?”

“No, I’ll be down in a bit,” she replies and smiles softly. “Simon?”

“Yes, love.”

“Thank you. This is amazing.”

“You’re welcome.” I kiss her forehead, trying to keep my eyes off her incredible body. I haven’t seen her naked in almost two months, and fucking hell, I crave her.

And I’ll have her before long.

The food arrives, and I arrange a delicious, casual picnic in the middle of the candles and flowers.

Just as I’m about to walk up to see if Charly did, indeed, fall asleep, she comes down the stairs wearing nothing but a robe. Her cheeks are flushed from the water, her eyes are heavy.

“You’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen.”

She tilts her head to the side. “Ever?”

“Ever.”

“Wow. I’ll take baths more often.”

“Come on, sassy, let’s eat.”

“Oh God, is that Italian?”

“The Americans’ version of it, yes.”

“Perfect.” But before she sits down, she leans into me, on her tiptoes, and presses her lips to mine. “This is perfect.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

She sits at a plate and waits patiently while I dish the food, giving her more than she thinks she wants.

“How was your day?” I ask and settle in to eat. The hot bread is delicious, as are the pasta and red sauce.

“It went well. We were busy, so that’s always good.” She spoons up some spaghetti and closes her eyes with a sigh of delight. “This is just so good.”

“Watching you eat is like watching someone have sex,” I reply and run through baseball stats in my head.

“It is not,” she says with a laugh. “I just like food.”

“Almost as much as sex,” I agree and offer her some bread. “So work went well. How is your family?”

“Curious.” She butters her bread and licks her finger. “I’ve now heard from all of the siblings. They’re curious to know more about you, and to hear how I’m doing.”

“That sounds normal enough.” I reach over and tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear. “They love you and I’m a stranger.”

“I get it,” she says with a shrug. “And I’ve never been one to bring men around.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t think any of them have ever met anyone I’ve dated. Certainly not the boys. Actually, now that I think about it, Van and Gabby met Ryan once.”

The mention of another man’s name sets my teeth on edge, but I keep my cool as she continues talking. This is what I’ve been waiting for: Charly relaxed and telling me more about herself.

“But I just don’t date seriously. Ryan and I had a mutually satisfying arrangement for the better part of ten years, but it wasn’t serious.”

“You had a friends with benefits for ten years?” I ask, completely thrown. She’s amazing. Who would be satisfied with that?

“Yeah. Well, no. It’s complicated.”

“I have nothing but time,” I remind her.

“We met in college. The sex was always great, and I thought we were friends too. Not long ago, I discovered that he doesn’t even really like me all that much. It was just sex for him, and I’m done.” She shakes her head and takes another bite of food. “He’s called a few times, but not in a while now. I hope he finally believed me last time when I said don’t call me again. Being an adult and entering into a mutually respectful physical relationship is one thing, but when there’s no affection there at all, well, that’s a problem for me.”

“And other than Ryan, there haven’t been any serious relationships.”

“No.” She shakes her head again and shrugs. “I’m busy with the shop and my family.”

“So you’re saying you don’t have time for a relationship?”

“No, I’m saying that I don’t have time to go and seek one out. Dating isn’t easy. You know this; you deal with it every day.”

“I do. I get it.” I nod and can’t help but feel a bit sorry for her. She’s never been in love, or had her heart broken. She’s never had a relationship.

That’s about to change, and she doesn’t even know it yet.

“You know, I was mad at myself when I was in Montana.”

This brings me out of my reverie and catches my attention.