“For the best night of my life?”

“You overshot a bit there. I was thinking more of a prom night you won’t forget.”

“That works, too.” Her cheeks ached from smiling so much tonight. It seemed to happen often when Seth was around. Maybe she would develop chipmunk cheeks by the time he left. Shit. Sad thoughts were not allowed tonight.

Seth placed their pasta dishes on the table. “Butternut squash ravioli with fresh sage butter sauce.”

“No way. Is this a parade of my favorite dishes?” Tara couldn’t resist and took a bite of ravioli dipped in buttery goodness. “I can’t believe you’re doing this to me. Do you realize how tight this dress is? The zipper is going to burst in the back.”

“I. Love. That. Dress,” he said, looking almost feverish with desire. It was a good look on him.

“I figured that out when you ogled me for hours at the wedding.”

“Again, I wasn’t ogling that night. I was gawking.” His heated gaze traveled to her breasts, and he bit his lip. Damn. He was so sexy. “But now I’m definitely ogling.”

“Stop that,” she whispered, ogling him back. Seeing him in a tuxedo felt like being body-slammed by lust. Must. Have. Friction. Her body demanded satisfaction, but they were going to have to wait. She had a prom to attend. “If you keep making those sexy faces, I’ll lunge across the table at you. You said we’re on a schedule.”

“Right.” He stared furiously at his remaining raviolis. When he looked up at her, his eyes only held a hint of heat. “Let’s finish eating and we’ll be on our way.”

“On our way?” He kept surprising her tonight.

“Yeah, so eat up,” he said, digging into his ravioli.

After a moment, she followed suit. The sage in the butter married perfectly with the creamy butternut squash in the handmade ravioli. With all the butter and carbs, the dish couldn’t be good for her, but having butternut squash in it gave it the illusion of being healthy, so she tucked it all away without guilt.

“Do we have time for cupcakes?” Tara asked hopefully, getting up to clear the table with Seth.

“There is always time for cupcakes. Besides, it only takes—like what?—two bites to finish? Let’s each have one … or two.”

“Who said I’m sharing my cupcakes,” she teased.

“If you make me just watch you eat a cupcake, I’ll end up carrying you to bed.”

“Hmm. Tempting idea.” Seth lunged for her, and she shrieked and ran to put the counter between them. “I’m kidding. Mostly. I’m mostly kidding. Here. Have a cupcake. I’ll give you the chocolate-chocolate one since I’m nice.”

She waved the cupcake in front of his face until he snatched it out of her hand.

“You are nice. Very nice,” he said with a seductive smile that made her heart trip.

They each had a cupcake standing up and washed their hands together at the kitchen sink. Seth reached for her soapy hands and they played handsy for a bit, but they stopped before it progressed into more scintillating activities. A makeout session was inevitable, but the waiting would make it all the more satisfying.