Page 70 of Captivating Anika

When we got home earlier, we had grilled cheese sandwiches and a salad Hog threw together. After, he made me a pot of tea and drew me a bath, and I’ve been floating here, soaking, for the past little while.

He pours me some tea, sets the pot on the bathroom counter, and sits down on the edge of the tub.

“Was that my phone I heard earlier?”

He nods. “Yeah, that was Monique. She said to let you know she has someone coming in tomorrow.”

“Already? Wow.”

“Apparently, she doesn’t mess around. I talked to your mother as well. She called when I was just saying goodbye to Monique.”

“What did Mom want?”

“Sunday dinner.”

I roll my eyes. “Of course. Give a finger, lose a hand. Did you tell her we’re busy with your move on Sunday?”

He chuckles and slightly shakes his head.

“She already knew. Apparently, she talked to Bodhi this afternoon and he mentioned it.”

“Oh…don’t tell me, she offered to bring dinner to your new place, didn’t she?”

“She did.”

When nothing more is forthcoming, I prompt him.

“And? What did you tell her?”

He shrugs, a sheepish grin on his face.

“She said she’d make her samosas.”

I groan, drop my head back, and close my eyes.

“You realize we will forever be expected at Sunday dinner, right?”

“Forever?”

My eyes pop open. “Metaphorically speaking, of course.”

“Of course,” he echoes, with a smug look on his face.

But the next moment his expression turns serious, as he takes the mug from my hand and kisses the inside of my wrist.

“A day will come when you’ll wish for one more of your mom’s Sunday dinners, Sweetheart.”

That gently delivered dose of reality causes an instant shift in perspective.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Hog

“What time is your appointment?”

I glance over at Anika, who is finishing her yogurt and berries, sitting beside me at the kitchen island. She passed on the cheesy scrambled eggs on toast I was cooking.

“Eleven fifteen. It’s at Mercy.”