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Not if.
I’d never hated a word more.
“I’m working on figuring that out.”
“When you do, will you let me know?”
I nodded. “I have a feeling you’ll be thefirstto know.”
We were interrupted by Eric calling for Cain to ask about dinner. It was late, and I stayed outside, hoping to work through all the emotions today had brought up.
I wound up on the porch, watching the sunset. Pinks, oranges, and purples painted a scene in the sky, and though I was sure I was missing dinner, I couldn’t find it in me to regret it.
The door squeaked open not long after I sat.
“Dinner’s ready,” Cain said.
“Oh, thank you. I’m gonna stay out here for a bit.” I gestured to the sky. He followed my hand and slowly nodded in understanding.
“All right, then.”
He went back inside, leaving me alone. I’d miss hanging out with him and Eric for dinner, but at least I’d get to see one of the most gorgeous sunsets I’d ever seen in my life.
Then the door opened again.
“It’s so pretty!” Eric said. He sat right next to me, a bowl of chili in his hand.
“Does Cain know you’re out here? I thought you ate at the ...” I trailed off when a bowl was handed to me, but it wasn’t from Eric.
It was from Cain.
I turned, jaw agape.
“Change of plans,” he said as he sat a few steps behind me. “We’re eating out here.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Because someone stubborn likes to.” He nodded at the sky. “Now why are you looking at me? I thought you loved sunsets.”
My cheeks were on fire as I looked back at the vibrant sky. It was hard not to look at the man who was breaking his own rule of eating at the table to make sure I could have dinner in front of the sunset. I’d never been with someone who forgave so quickly.
Cain’s leg brushed against my back.
“Thank you,” I said.
“Rule one of the house: We eat at the dining-room table, but it can only be broken by rule two, which is dinner together is more important than location.”
“I’m a part of the house now?”
“Duh,” Eric said as he took a massive bite.
I teared up again, but for an entirely different reason now.
The sunset didn’t last as long as I’d wanted it to, but we’d finished with our meal by the time the sky was turning navy blue. Cain grabbed our bowls before we went inside, and I watched as he washed dishes.
It was things like this that showed he cared. Cooking dinner. Cleaning up after himself and others. And it was one of the hottest things I’d ever seen.
“So, how do I con you into watching more ofRenovating with Love?”