Page 81 of Husband to Go

“Thanks, and good luck with Corey.”

I head downstairs, and the car is there waiting just like Tanner said it would be. Oh, I’m so nervous. But no more dilly-dallying. I’m ready to fully jump into this relationship and see what it brings.

The car arrives Tanner’s place, and I go up to his apartment. My heartbeat’s racing. Andi did a really good job with the hair and make-up but I can’t help feeling insecure.

But it’s time. I knock on the door. I’m breathless and can’t wait.

“Coming,” a deep voice growls from inside.

A few seconds later, the wide slab opens and Tanner’s standing there. He looks absolutely gorgeous, per usual. He has on a navy-blue sweater and a nice pair of tailored khakis. Even when he answered the door in those dingy sweatpants, he was hot as fuck with his long legs and broad, muscular chest. My mouth waters, and it’s not just because of the incredible food smells drifting to my nostrils.

“Would you like to come in?” I nod. Tanner steps aside to let me inside. “Do you want me to take your jacket?”

“Oh, sure.” Tanner takes my light coat from my shoulders and heads to a nearby closet to hang it up.

He comes back over and motions to the table.

“Can I get a kiss, sweetheart? Why so formal?”

I jerk a little.

“You could tell?”

He laughs, and my heart melts a bit.

“Of course I could, baby girl. You’re so tense, but there’s no reason to be. I want you to be here, and you want to be here too, so what is there to be worried about?”

A million things!the voice in my head screams. But I lean into him for a kiss, and the moment our lips meet, everything seems better. We’re just about to go deeper into the embrace when Tanner pulls away.

“Nuh-uh, baby girl. I want this to be special. Dinner is already plated and we can start eating right away or wait a little bit if you’d like? I’m not really sure how to start this thing off.”

“I’d love to eat,” I say with a smile. “I’m hungry.”

“After you.” I sit down and look at the food in front of me. It looks delicious, and I can’t believe Tanner made this meal all by himself.

“Thank you for doing this. I can’t believe you went to all this trouble.”

“Of course, baby girl. I want you to get to know me, all the many sides of me.”

I smile.

“I want to get to know you, too.”

We stop talking for a little bit and dig into the food. The steak cuts like butter because it’s so soft. I can’t believe how tender it is.

I put a piece of it on my tongue, and it practically melts.

“Oh my god, this is amazing!” I moan reverently.

He chuckles and I cut more bites, basically stuffing myself. After a few seconds, I realize I must look insane. I’m shoveling food into my mouth like a starving woman.

“Sorry, I got a little lost in how yummy this is,” I say with my cheeks going red. Tanner chuckles.

“I’ll take that as a compliment. I’m so happy you like itthatmuch. I mean, I must be an amazing cook,” he jokes.

“You are. I can’t wait to eat whatever else you cook. I’ll probably go up a few pants sizes, eating all this food.”

He grins and then goes serious.