She's Not a Fan

Chapter 31

Mike looked relaxed as he handed her flowers and kissed her hello. 

Looking back, it probably didn’t help that she leaned in and moaned softly.  The kiss promptly went from a chaste hello to ‘why do we still have clothes on?’ hot.  Sensation exploded in her head as she pressed closer against hard chest, flat stomach and bulging thighs. 

Too fast.  Too fast, she panicked.  She pulled back and Mike loosened his hold.

Sarah cleared her throat and looked up sheepishly.  “Ah, thanks for the flowers.”

Mike laughed.  “You’re very welcome.”

“Come in.  Throw your coat on the hook there.  I’ll just put these in water,” Sarah said as she walked to the kitchen.  Knowing what was simmering under the surface made her more anxious.  She forced herself to calm down.  Deep breath in.  Slow breath out.  Slowly.  Slowly. Think zen thoughts. 

Mike followed Sarah into the kitchen.  Sarah wanted to run her hands down his soft sweater.  Across broad shoulders, over biceps that would need two hands to wrap around, and down his flat stomach.  He traded jeans for dark khakis and leaned casually against the counter as he watched her arrange the flowers.

“You look lovely.” He smiled.

“Thank you.  So do you,” Sarah smiled back, and felt a calm replace the worry. “Would you like a beer or a glass of wine?”

“Sure.  Whatever you’re having.”

“Maybe you could open this bottle of wine for us.  Dinner’s ready so I’ll just serve the soup and we can sit down.”

“Sounds great.”

They sat down at the candlelit table and had a leisurely meal enjoying the flavours of the Thai cuisine. 

“This is delicious.  Do you enjoy cooking?” Mike asked.

“I don’t really like the day to day meal preparation, maybe because I’m just cooking for myself.  And by the time I start to make something I’m tired and hungry and just want what’s convenient.  But I enjoy planning a fancy meal.  I enjoyed cooking for you.”

“I enjoyed eating it.  Everything was great.”

“Thank you.”

They talked about their favourite restaurants and the global cuisine available in Clarington.  In the last couple of years, a number of restaurants had opened in the downtown core.  There were smaller cafes offering everything from African to Asian cuisine. 

They talked about global politics and aspects of global law that Mike continued to follow closely.  They talked about their favourite apps and favourite ice cream.  Conversation was easy and comfortable.

Mike looked at Sarah quizzically.  “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” Sarah said without hesitating, “anything.”

“Are you pregnant?”

Sarah choked on the sip of wine.  “No,” she said emphatically, “no, I’m not.”

“Oh sorry,” he began, “some of the guys at the rink---”

“I know.  Danni called and asked me too.  No, I’m not pregnant,” she reassured him.  “I was out shopping for the stuff for tonight and I had to go to this little Asian market for one of the ingredients.  I was driving around and traffic and parking was crazy.  So I popped into the spot reserved for, you know, pregnant customers,” she explained, feeling a flush warm her cheeks.