Chapter 12

Sebastian.

After the dinner I spent at Willow’s place, I invited her to my home after I confessed that I lied to her friend. It was funny watching her ask about why I was divorced, and what happened, sure I have a fucked up sense of humor at times, but the look on Ivy’s face was priceless.

I didn’t include the protective best friend that would attack her with a bunch of private questions. I teased her a lot for it since it happened, and she blushed and grumbled every time, but I was glad she had a friend that was so fiercely protective of her, even if it was aimed at me.

We went our separate ways at the end of work, and Willow arrived at my place early. I hadn't even started cooking yet, but I didn’t mind it. I went to open the door for her and pecked her lips as I let her in through the door.

“Hey,” she said, looking around. “Where’s Andy today?”

I hummed, leading the way to the kitchen. “I wanted it just to be the two of us today, so he’ll be staying at his mom’s for tonight.”

In the kitchen, I directed her to sit. My place was a bit different from her apartment, the kitchen and dining areas were in one single room, separated by the kitchen island. I let her sit down on the other side of the island as I walked around it to the kitchen counter where I’d already laid out all the ingredients I would need for making dinner.

“What we were having?” she asked, elbows braced on the counter and chin rested in her palms.

“I was thinking steak with some stir-fry. Is that okay with you?” I paused and turned around to see her face, waiting for her answer.

“It sounds good. Need any help?”

I went back to cutting up the ingredients as I shook my head. “I don’t mind you helping out, but you’re free to sit there and watch. I don’t mind you having your eyes on me, after all.”

I turned around just long enough to wink, and she let out a giggle.

She stood up to come over and help, and we cooked side by side. The kitchen wasn’t so small, but I had Willow right next to me, so I took the chance to rub up against her every chance I got. It was mostly just arms and shoulders, but it left the both of us smiling.

When food was just about ready, I shooed her off to set the table as I got ready to plate the food. Then I transferred the food over. Before sitting down, I pulled the bottle of wine I’d prepared just for this and two glasses. Then, we sat down.

I wasn’t good at romantic dinners. Maybe I was supposed to have everything ready, or just about when she arrived, but after the experience I had at her place, I didn’t think that was necessary for us. I’d thought of candles and flowers, too, but in the end, left both out. In any case, the lighting wasn’t so bright, anyway, and it was plenty intimate enough.

“How is it?” I asked, watching her cut off a piece of steak, then try the sautéed vegetables. “Is it good?”

She nodded as she hummed, chewing carefully. “It’s really good,” she admitted. “I didn’t know you were such a good chef.”

I smiled, just a little proud. “I’ve always known how to cook well. I moved away from home when I left for college and pretty much lived on my own since, so I had to learn to look after myself. Even after I got married, and my wife cheated on me endlessly,” I pouted and then she shook her head, she wasn’t impressed by me shocking Ivy like that.

“Anyway, I was the one mostly doing house chores and such. Next time, if you have something you’d like, let me know, and I’ll try to make it for you.”

“How are you so sure there’ll be the next time?” she asked, but there was a smile on her face, and her eyes were shining in amusement.

“I hope there will be,” I answered seriously.

After we’d both taken a few bites, I reached for the bottle of wine to open it, then poured for the both of us. I held Willow’s out for her, waiting for her to take it before picking up mine for a sip. Then I waited for her opinion and saw her nod.

“The wine is amazing,” she said with a sigh. “I’m feeling a little outdone over here. You even brought me wine before, and I didn’t bring you anything…”

“I don’t need you to bring anything,” I said with a chuckle. “And you can just invite me over to talk about it,” I added. “Hopefully without an inquisition waiting for me.”

She glared at me; her eyes were full of humor. “Well, to be honest, you haven’t met my mom yet, so I can't promise it won’t be happening again, but she won’t be nearly as bad as Ivy.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

She laughed. “You can trust me!”

The atmosphere over dinner was easy, relaxed and happy, and I couldn’t have asked for better. We chatted lightly about everything from our childhoods, hobbies, and experience in school. I knew Willow was younger than me by a few years. It wasn’t too big a difference, but there was still a generation gap, and I was glad to note it didn’t seem to bother either of us at all.

After dinner, I took the dishes to the sink, and Willow insisted on helping wash.

“I helped you cook, so you can at least let me do this much,” she argued.

I didn’t want her getting her hands wet, but I just sighed and let her instead of fighting. We washed the dishes side by side at the sink, and once that was done, we took the bottle of wine and the glasses and moved to the living room. I sat on the couch, and Willow curled into my side as we sipped our wine.

“How has work been lately?” I asked, swirling my glass as I watched the red liquid move around.

Willow chuckled. “Of all things you chose to talk about now, you chose work?”

“Well, I don’t get to see you at work lately. You could say it’s made me quite lonely. And I am wondering how your work has been going. Is working on cases okay for you?”

“Work has been fine,” she said with surety. “So if you’re worried about me or anything, there’s no need to be.”

I hummed, and we delved into silence once more. But even in the silence, my mind was working overtime.

There was something I wanted to talk to Willow about, and it involved mustering up some courage.

We sipped the wine as slow as possible, just enjoying each other’s presence, but once our glasses were empty, I couldn’t keep stalling. I put my glass on the table, then put hers down, and pushed her back by the shoulders, so she wasn’t leaning against me. Willow looked at me curiously, and I could feel my heart start to beat fast and hard in my chest. I was amazed I could still be nervous about something like this at my age.

“What is it?” Willow asked after a bit when I said nothing.

“I have something to say to you,” I started tentatively. “It’s sort of about what happened at your place. You know how I introduced myself to your friend but didn’t know exactly what we were?”

She nodded, the intensity of her gaze doubling.

I swallowed, then continued. “I…wanted to ask if you would…like to go steady.”

She gave a slow blink, and I held my breath, wondering if she was going to laugh or something at my wording. I could have asked her to date me, but we’d been going for dates for a while already, and I didn’t think it was necessary.

In the end, though, she didn’t laugh. I was glad when she took me seriously.

“I would like to,” she said. “But it’s going to be a little difficult with us working together, no?”

I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, tucking her back into my side to resume the atmosphere, feeling relieved that she’d agreed so easily.

“Don’t worry,” I reassured. “We’ll find a way, so work isn’t a problem. I am a partner, after all and I think that the last thing they’ll worry about is us being together.”

She wrapped her arms around me and said, “That’s the last thing I’m going to worry about and the answer is yes.”

It was music to my ears and I knew one thing for sure, Willow was good for me. The kind of woman that I needed in my life, not only for one night, but for always.