I laugh, “I’m not sure this really qualifies, but I do follow instructions well.”
She laughs at my answer, “Yes you do.”
Removing the onions and peppers from the skillet, she adds the steak, which immediately begins to sizzle against the hot iron pan. When the steak is nearly done, she adds the vegetables back in to warm them up before adding the cheese. She slices the sub rolls and warms them over the mixture. When she’s satisfied with the bread’s softness, she builds a sandwich for each of us.
Rose hands me the plates, and I take them to the table as she asks, “What would you like to drink? I have water, diet soda, and iced tea.”
“Iced tea, please.”
She pours us each a glass, and carries them to the table, before taking a seat. I sit beside her and take a bite of the amazing sandwich she created.
“Mmm,” is all I can manage, before washing it down with a sip of my iced tea.
“Good?”
“No, delicious, and I’ve had these in Philadelphia.”
“Wow, that’s quite the compliment,” she says as she raises her sandwich to take another bite.
“It’s true, but if you think the onions are going to keep me from kissing you later, you’re mistaken.”
Rose coughs and sputters as she swallows her sip of iced tea, nearly spitting it out at my comment. “The thought never crossed my mind.”
Once we finish dinner, I help Rose clean up the kitchen. She looks so relaxed and carefree with her brown hair tucked behind her ears, her cheeks and nose pink from spending time outdoors with me yesterday. She dries her hands on a nearby towel and tosses it on the counter. I slowly take a few steps toward her. Her breath hitches as I catch her around the waist and back her up against the counter.
“Do you know how incredibly sexy you look all relaxed and sun-kissed?”
She reaches up, her fingers caressing the stubble covering my face, “I bet you say that to all the girls,” she whispers, her voice breathless.
I capture her hand, place a kiss on her palm, and shake my head. “I haven’t said that to anyone in a long time.”
Her eyes search mine, “Maybe one day you’ll tell me about her.”
“Maybe, but not today.”
“Fair enough.” She wiggles out of my embrace, takes both my hands in hers and begins walking backwards. “Now I have one more thing to show you.”
“Oh yeah?”
Her smile is hypnotizing, and I realize then, that I’d follow her anywhere “Yep, come with me.”
She leads us out onto the back porch and over to a porch swing. We both take a seat and begin to slowly sway back and forth in silence. The darkness surrounds us and the only sounds that we hear are those of the insects and the rhythmic creak of the swing.
“I’ve been coming out here since I was a little girl. Some days I would bring a book and get lost in the story and others I’d just lose myself in the stars.”
“Have you ever tried to count the stars?”
Her gaze doesn’t waver from the night sky, “On more than one occasion.”
“How did you develop a love of classical music?”
“When I was in elementary school, my class went on a field trip to see the symphony. I still remember how captivating it was, how the music felt so magical.”
Even after she’s shared the memory, her smile remains in place. “I sense there’s more to the story than that.”
“Maybe, but if I tell you, you’ll laugh.”
I’m already fighting to keep a straight face so I reply honestly. “Possibly, but now you have to tell me.”
She laughs and shakes her head vigorously, “Nope.”
I chuckle as I beg, “Come on, you can’t leave me hanging!”
She sighs dramatically, “Fine. You know those Peanuts cartoons we grew up watching?” I nod as not to interrupt her, encouraging her to go on. “When I was little, I may have had a little crush on Schroeder.”
“Schroeder?” I know exactly who she means, but I can’t help teasing her a little.
“Yeah, you know, the little yellow haired boy that always played the piano that Lucy was infatuated with?”
I can’t help but chuckle, “Oh right. Then should I be worried that you have a thing for blonde guys that play piano?”
“No! I knew I shouldn’t have told you,” she says as she shoves me in the shoulder. She tries to pout but ends up laughing too, which makes me laugh even harder.
I lean over and kiss her cheek, “I bet you were adorably starry-eyed watching those cartoons. A guy could be so lucky.”
I stretch my arm out along the back of the swing, and as if drawn by some magnetic force, Rose leans into my side. Resting her head on my shoulder, her natural floral scent wraps around me. We sit in silence, my fingers caressing the soft skin of her arm. “How long are you staying in town?”
Her question surprises me causing my fingers to still immediately. “Until Saturday.”
She sighs, her head still resting against my shoulder, “That’s too soon.”
I sigh and kiss the top of her head. “I was going to tell you yesterday, but after spending the day with you, I didn’t want to ruin it.”
“Will I see you again?”
Her question is spoken so softly, I barely hear it over the sounds of the night. “Honestly, that’s up to you.” Rose sits up and turns to face me on the swing. “Rose, these last few days with you have been some of the best in my life. I would love to spend more time with you, but I’ll understand if this isn’t something you want to pursue.”
I watch as she nervously twists and untwists her fingers before meeting my eyes. “I know you have a full tour ahead of you, but if you have some time in between, I’d
