“You really are an original, Bailey. Most women I’ve met wouldn’t admit to wanting dessert. Here, let me get a plate. Let’s do it properly and heat it up. I love the nightgown, by the way—my dessert for later on.”

“You’re even a perfectionist about dessert after midnight,” I said waiting for him to plate me a piece.

“We aren’t heathens. No matter what the hour, proper presentation is key. Would you like some tea or coffee?” It was my turn to laugh. You would think it was eight o’clock at night rather than one o’clock in the morning the way Elliott maneuvered around in the kitchen in full chef mode. I noticed he had already cleaned up our dinner dishes. “Just how long have you been up? We could eat off the floor it’s so clean.”

“Not long. I don’t sleep a lot unless I take an Ambien or something. I’ve always had a lot of energy.”

“Yes, I see that. I think I’m the beneficiary of that.”

“I didn’t hear any complaints a few hours ago,” he said, setting the beautiful dessert, complete with a scoop of mint and basil sorbet, in front of me.

“Now that I see all this, I would love some coffee.” I figured if he wasn’t going to worry about the time, neither was I.

“I thought you might say that. I’ll have some decaf French press for you in just a minute.” How had he read my mind again?

The sorbet was delicious. It was a perfect companion for the rhubarb. He brought in the coffee, and I reached for some cream. Elliott shook his head.

“What?” I asked, taking a rather large bite and letting the cherry juice roll down the corner of my mouth. He simply got up and kissed it away. This is what had gotten me into trouble in the first place.

“What are those rings you’re wearing?”

“They are my mother’s wedding rings.” He took my hand and kissed it.

“It looks like you’re married. I’m entertaining my fondest fantasy that the someone is me.”

“My fondest fantasy is that you’re not married!”

“Touché. And you’re just as clever at two in the morning as you are at two in the afternoon. Soon Bailey. Very soon. Lady Jane is being her usual bratty self. But she has no choice. This is not the time to talk about exes.” My thoughts exactly. We talked until about four in the morning before working off our dessert in a most delightful fashion and then falling back asleep.