Page 56 of Earl

“She considers you to be her family,” she intuited.

“Yes.” He watched as she scooped up pasta and took a bite.

“Oh hell.”

“Good?”

“More than good.”

He had to tear his eyes from her mouth and pretended absorption in his own meal.

“I am glad. You were talking about the home.”

“It was miserable, and I could not wait to leave. I had to toughen up real fast and had to think of Justin. We stuck together and planned. We were going to get out as soon as possible and we were going to have enough money so we would not have to wear hand me downs and eat awful tasting food ever again.”

She smiled whimsically. “We both got scholarships to go to college. Justin was recruited straight out of high school and in between studies, he would do his modeling. I was determined to study and leave with a degree.”

“And that degree is in clothing design?”

“I majored in that and minored in business. I was also determined that when I started making money, no accountant was going to clean me out.”

“Very smart. I have seen your designs on the internet. I have also seen the billboards with you and your friend.” He gave her a speculative look. “It’s … suggestive.”

She looked at him sharply. “He is gay. And it is supposed to look sexy.”

“He is also in love with you.”

“We love each other.”

“Is that going to be a problem?”

Her tapered brows lifted. “For whom?”

“For us. I would not like to think I am competing with the guy.”

“He is gay.” She repeated and had to ignore the thumping of her heart at his words.

He shrugged and resumed eating his meal. They ate in strained silence for several minutes until their plates were cleared.

“No. Sit.” He shook his head when she made to get up and clear the counter. “I will just pop these in the dishwasher. Coffee?”

“Yes, thanks.”

“Mrs. Greene made dessert. A concoction of fresh strawberries and homemade whipped cream. It is incredibly good and goes well with coffee.”

“Sounds divine.”

He gave her a quizzical look before getting the dessert out of the fridge.

“We should have it in the living room. It is right across the hallway. Go on in and I will be right there.”

She was happy to escape and was admiring the Jackson Colby paintings above the huge mantle when he came in with the tray.

“This is nice. No tree?”

“Christmas is not a particularly happy occasion for me. I usually spend it in another country.”

He indicated the space on the gold leather sofa next to him as he poured the coffee.