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"Great idea" I srab our wine and head out to the deck off the great roo space is spectacular Warm tones of reds and browns, the table seats six, and there is a huge stainless steel grill with outdoor kitchen counters, fridge and sink

We sit and one, and I’in"

I take a bite and close ood"

I cover h Luke’s eyes dance and he slad you like it"

"So," I scoop up another bite "Your ht you to cook?"

"Yeah, she always said that all of her children needed to be able to feed themselves after we left the nest" I watch his do you have?"

"I have one brother and one sister"

"Older, younger?" I ask God, this er brother"

"And what do they do?"

"Saazine" Luke’s eyes are full of pride "Mark is wasting away his college education as a fisherman in Alaska"

"I take it you don’t approve?" I raiseI guess it’s good he sows his wild oats now" Luke shrugs

"Your parents?" I like hearing him talk about his family He clearly loves them very much

"They live in Redmond Dad works for

Microsoft

and

Molances down at my empty plate

"It was delicious, thank you" I lean back in s

"You’re very welco with his shy smile "Would you like soaze out at the water "This is a fantastic view"

"Yes, it is" I look over at hi at me My cheeks warm

"You’re very complimentary"

"You’re easy to compliment"

I smirk

He tilts his head to the side and picksit to his h-clenching kiss and I sigh at the heat of his touch

"You are quite beautiful, Natalie

Why don’t you believe that?"

I’m stupefied No one has ever called me out on my insecurities because I’ve never shown the

"I’m happy you think so"

He frowns at my answer but doesn’t press me "I do"

"I wish I had my camera" I don’t realize I’ve said this out loud, and I feel hi into his eyes, they’re arctic