She smiled. “You’re a lifesaver.”
Reid pushed a tear away with his thumb and then kissed her again. “You taste like chocolate.”
“I swiped some of the cake batter from the bowl,” she said in such a guilty tone that Reid couldn’t hold back his laughter.
“Do you have any idea how cute and lovable you are?”
Addison inhaled a deep breath. “Well, I have a confession to make.”
Reid kissed the tip of her floured nose. “What’s that?”
“I wanted to impress you with my mad skills.”
“Trust me, you already have.”
When she smiled, Reid almost told her that he loved her, but he held back.
“So, you’ll help?”
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you,” he admitted, coming as close to a profession of love as he dared.
“Where have you been all my life?” Her tone was teasing but there was something in her eyes that made Reid’s heart pound. She felt the same way! But then she quickly turned around, as if not wanting him to see the truth in her eyes. Reid understood. She was gun-shy. He needed to be patient.
“Waiting for you,” he answered in an equally light, teasing tone. When she turned back around and looked at him neither of them said another word, but love was hanging in the air between them. “Put me to work, Addison. With our big family, Mom puts us to work in the kitchen. I know my way around. Speaking of, your family knows I’ll be here, right?”
Addison nodded. “They know that you’re Sara’s brother and that we’ve been seeing each other.”
“Does that concern them?” He tried not to feel any anxiety about her response.
Addison put her palms on his chest. “My parents love me and want me to be happy. That’s all they care about. Just be yourself.”
“That’s all I know how to be,” Reid said. No matter what happened in his life he’d never go back to withdrawing into a shell, hiding out from life.
“Perfect.”
Less than an hour later the cupcakes were frosted, the stew simmered, and the biscuits were on the cookie sheet, ready to pop in the oven when the time arrived. “You need to let me clean up while you shower.”
Addison wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him. “There is nothing sexier than a man doing dishes.”
“I think you just talked me into doing the dishes every night,” he said. “Well played.”
She giggled.
Reid shooed her toward her bedroom. “Now go. I’ve got it under control.” As he watched her walk toward her bedroom Reid realized that he liked this domestic spin that cooking for company put on their relationship. He’d never even considered what it would feel like to be married.
Until now.
He waited for a shot of fear or apprehension but it failed to come. He smiled as he dried a bowl and put it in a cabinet. Nice . . .
About thirty minutes later Addison walked back into the kitchen, wearing white jeans and a billowy teal blouse belted at the waist. She wore her hair up in a loose bun. The only thing flashy was the diamond tennis bracelet that she’d told him was a gift from her parents for her twenty-first birthday.
“What?” Addison asked, making Reid realize he’d been staring.
“You’re gorgeous, Addison. I can’t take my eyes off of you.”
She came over and smoothed her hands up his chest. “I know the feeling. I can’t keep my eyes or my hands off of you. It’s going to be tough not being all over you when the company arrives.”
Reid groaned and was about to dip his head for a kiss when the doorbell chimed. He felt a slight twinge of nerves, but when the Monroe clan came into the room, full of hugs and laughter and introductions, he felt at ease. Addison took a tray of appetizers from her father.
“I brought artichoke dip and pita chips,” Mia said. “It’s still warm.”
“My favorite,” Addison said.
Mitch handed Reid a bottle of bourbon. He looked at the label. “Pappy Van Winkle’s twenty-three-year-old? Are you kidding me? That’s as smooth as it gets.”
“Oh, he’s been on the bourbon trail twice,” Nicolina said with a shake of her head.
“I love the history behind the distilleries,” Mitch declared, drawing a laugh from Paul.
“Yeah, right. You love the bourbon.”
“What’s not to love?” Mitch asked, but then looked at Reid. “You’re a Kentuckian. You know what I’m talking about.”
Reid nodded. “I sure do. There’s nothing better than a fine bourbon.” He held up the bottle. “This one is one of the finest. Wheat is used rather than rye, giving it a sweeter taste. This twenty-three is really hard to come by.”
Nicolina laughed again. “He loves telling people he’s a Kentuckian now.”
“Makes me feel badass, like on Justified,” Mitch said, making them all laugh.
“Something smells amazing,” Melinda said. “Sweetie, did you cook dinner?”
“A big pot of beef stew. Reid came to my rescue and helped.” Addison nodded. “I thought we could talk easier here than in a noisy restaurant. Is that okay?”
“Perfect,” Melinda answered, making Reid notice the similarities between mother and daughter.
“I hoped Bella might be able to come,” Addison said to Nicolina.
“Mitch couldn’t take another day of seeing her sad face and insisted that she fly out to Iowa to see Logan play. He’s with the Iowa Cubs now, hoping to move up from the farm team to Chicago.”
“Impressive.” Addison peeled back the foil from a veggie tray and put out cocktail plates. “I will forever be a Cubs fan. So, Uncle Mitch, the Cricket Creek Cougars aren’t affiliated with Major League Baseball?”
“No, it’s an independent professional league,” he answered. “Noah Falcon wanted to give players a second shot at making the minor leagues. Logan, for example, was drafted into the minors but came back too soon from an injury, almost ruining his career. Noah and Ty gave him a second chance and it paid off.”
“Cam came with a bad attitude and a chip on his shoulder,” Mia said. “He just needed someone to believe in him.”
“The Cougars scout smaller schools, hoping to find talent that gets passed over,” Mitch continued. “Of course, only a small percentage of them will make it, but the rest get to enjoy playing competitive baseball for a few more years.”
After breaking out the bourbon the men chatted about baseball and the women toured the apartment. Reid knew that Addison’s parents were being polite and casual but he could tell that they were checking him out. He didn’t blame them because he would do the same thing.
After dinner they lingered over cupcakes and coffee. Reid enjoyed talking about finance with Melinda. He found the entire family entertaining, friendly, and fascinating. Other than getting Addison alone, he was actually sorry to see the evening end.
“I wish you were in town longer,” Addison said as the company headed for the door.
“Me too,” Melinda admitted. “We’ll be back as soon as we can. I’m really impressed with your shop, Addison. With the popularity of lavish weddings From This Moment should do quite well. Uncle Mitch and I were chatting earlier and I’m thinking this is just the beginning . . . but we’ll talk about that later.”
Reid frowned, wondering what Melinda was referring to, but the exit turned to tearful hugs and he put his worry aside. As soon as the door closed Reid pulled Addison into his arms. “Don’t get me wrong. I think your parents are amazing people and I enjoyed your family, but I’ve wanted you all evening long.”
Addison wrapped her arms around his neck. “Well, now you get me all night long. Are you up for it?”
Reid pulled her close. “All it will take is one kiss.”