“All done. I already set the garbage can at the curb.” Gabriel wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.

“Thank you. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this. Have you had dinner yet?”

“No.”

“Good. You said you wouldn’t take money. How about joining me for dinner? It’s the least I can do.”

“Now, that’s an offer I can’t refuse.”

“Yeah, I didn’t think you would.” They shared a smile.

His laughter filled the kitchen. “Mind if I go take a quick shower first?”

“Nope. Everything will be ready by the time you get back. You don’t have to knock. Just come on in.”

“Okay. I won’t be long.” He blessed her with one of those sexy smiles that made his eyes sparkle, and then he was gone.

He really is a nice guy. Serenity stood there for a minute longer, her smile still in place, before going back to the stove.

She had just spooned the stir-fry onto a bed of steaming rice when he walked back in. “Wow, that was fast.”

“It doesn’t take long for a man to jump in and out of a shower. And I was even faster because I knew I’d be getting some great food. What do you need me to do?”

“If you can grab that pitcher of lemonade from the refrigerator and the glasses, that’ll be great.” Once again, she compared him to her ex. Whenever they’d hosted a party, he’d conveniently made himself unavailable while she did everything from cooking and setting the table to bringing out the platters of food. The jerk. Serenity couldn’t believe she’d stayed with him as long as she had. “Do you want to eat in here or out back?”

“Out back, if it’s not too cool for you,” Gabriel said. “I think the temps have dropped a bit.”

“Let’s see.” She came over and opened the sliding glass door. It had cooled some, but not enough to be uncomfortable. “This will be fine.” She scanned her yard. “Oh my. This looks like the eighteenth green on one of those golf courses.” He’d mowed the lawn diagonally, and it seemed to make the grass look greener and lusher.

“I’m glad you like it.”

While he took care of the drinks, she brought out the plates, silverware, and bowl holding their dinner. “Wait. I need to get the candles.” The sun had begun its descent, and it would be dark soon. She hurried back inside, grabbed the first ones she saw, along with a lighter and the portable speaker, and returned to the table. After lighting the candles, she jumped slightly when Gabriel eased behind her and helped her with her chair. “Thank you.”

Gabriel rounded the table and took the seat opposite her. “This is nice.”