Saturday afternoon, Gabriel positioned the double chaise lounge that had been delivered earlier so that it would provide optimal viewing of the mounted flat-screen TV. Aside from his recliner, a small love seat, and an end table, there wasn’t any furniture. Andrea had taken the rest. He’d decided he needed something for Serenity to sit on when she arrived later. To say he was looking forward to the dinner and movie night with her would be an understatement. He paused. What am I doing? They agreed to keep things light, and at the moment, he couldn’t decide whether the impromptu purchase qualified. I’ll be here for another couple of months, so it’s not like the lounger won’t get any use, he reasoned. Satisfied, Gabriel went into the kitchen to put the dry rub on the steaks he’d thawed.

As soon as he finished washing his hands, his cell chimed with a text message. He picked it up, read the words, then smiled. Serenity offered to bring dessert. Gabriel typed back: I planned to make dessert, but since whatever you make is sure to be a hundred times better, I’m all for it. He hoped she’d bring the brownies he couldn’t get enough of. A quick peek at the time showed he still had a couple of hours before his date, so he grabbed his laptop out of his bedroom and went out to the back deck to work on the note-taking app.

Gabriel was so engrossed in his work, it took a moment to register the doorbell ringing. He glanced at the time and jumped up from the lounger, almost knocking the laptop over. Muttering a curse, he caught the device before it hit the ground and rushed to the front.

“Serenity. Hey. Come on in.” Gabriel stepped back to let her enter, then placed a brief kiss on her lips.

Serenity smiled. “Got caught up in work again, huh?” she asked teasingly.

He ducked his head sheepishly. “Something like that.” It was a good thing he had decided on an easy dinner of steaks, potatoes, and salad. Otherwise, he would’ve been in trouble. “Let me put this away and I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” His gaze dropped to the gift bag in her hand. “Brownies?”

“How did I know you’d ask that? Nope, not brownies this time, but there are peaches, sugar, and crust involved.”

Gabriel grinned. “Can’t wait.” He went down the short hallway and deposited the laptop on the nightstand, then headed to the kitchen.

Serenity leaned against the counter. “This kitchen is awfully clean, and I don’t smell anything cooking.”

“Ha ha. You got jokes,” he said, removing the plate holding the steaks from the refrigerator. “For your information, I’ve already seasoned these steaks. We’re having potatoes, salad, and French rolls.”