He wasn’t an asshole, and hell, who could blame him for being attracted to Chelsea? Too bad Bash wasn’t able to work into the conversation that he was kinda sorta dating Chelsea.

But was he, really?

Then again, she’d showed up at the bar tonight to hang out with him, so he’d take that as a definite …

Maybe.

He should just accept whatever was going on between them for what it was. They were hanging out and having fun together.

And she was waiting for him at his house, so right now, he couldn’t wait to get finished with work so he could see her.

He pulled his phone out of his pocket and checked the time.

Not too long now.

Chapter 28

Chelsea had prepared everything in advance—actually, before she’d gone to the bar to see Bash. It was handy having the code to his garage door.

The guy worked long hours and ate too much junk food, and she’d wanted to surprise him tonight, which was why she’d gone to the bar. Getting to bring Lou back here with her had been a bonus. She’d actually had an opportunity to take a little nap. She curled up on the sofa with Lou, turned the TV on, and conked out for about an hour and a half. There was something about a warm dog curled up against you that made you sleepy. Then again, it was late.

She had no idea how Bash kept the hours he did. Of course, he started his day a lot later than she did.

She got up and prepped everything, figuring Bash would be home soon. By the time she had the table set, she heard the sound of his truck pulling into the driveway. Lou heard it, too, because she barked.

“Bash’s home, isn’t he?” she asked Lou, who responded by barking again, wiggling her butt, and running to the door leading to the garage.

So cute.

He opened the door. “Hey, Lou.” He scooped the dog up and cradled her under his arm to pet her.

“And hey to you, too. Sorry I’m late.”

She came over to him and brushed a kiss across his lips. “You’re not late.”

He set the dog down, then looked over at the table. “What’s this?”

She smiled. “I made dinner for you.”

“You did?”

“Yes. I thought you might be hungry.”

“I’m starving. I was going to ask if you wanted to go out to one of the all-night breakfast places and get something to eat.”

“Now you don’t have to.”

“I need a quick shower. I smell like a bar.”

“Go ahead. I have to finish dinner anyway.”

“Okay.” He started to walk away, then stopped. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her deeply. “Thanks for this. It’s … really thoughtful of you.”

She warmed from the inside out, glad her idea had been a good one. “You’re welcome. Now go.”

While Bash wandered into the bathroom, she warmed the chicken tenderloins she’d grilled earlier and sliced them into small pieces. Then she mixed the chicken in with the salad she’d made and put out bread and dressing.

By then, Bash had come back.

“Grilled chicken salad? And bread? This looks amazing.”

She enjoyed his enthusiasm. And his hunger. “It’s not a big deal.”

He squeezed her hand. “It is to me.”

If she got any warmer from his compliments, she’d start blushing. “Let’s eat.”

They sat, and he told her about his night at the bar, then asked her what movie she had seen with Megan and Sam. She told him about the movie, a romantic comedy.

“I’m sure you’re not interested in those.”

He leaned back in the chair. “Why would you say that?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. You seem the action adventure or bloody horror movie type.”

“I definitely like those, but I can handle a romantic comedy, too.”

“In other words, you’d tolerate that type of movie in order to get a woman in bed.”

He waved his fork at her. “You don’t think much of the male species, do you, Chelsea? Or maybe it’s just me.”

Clearly, she’d insulted him. “I’m sorry. I guess I just don’t see you sitting through the kind of movie that’s chock-full of romance and love scenes.”

“Hey. I’ve seen my share of romantic movies. There were several I liked.”

“Name one.”

“When Harry Met Sally.”

She cocked a brow. “Tell me the plotline.”

He did. She was impressed. “Name one you didn’t like.”

“The Notebook.”

She gasped and put her hand to her heart. He laughed.

“Sorry. Too cheesy. Plus, the ending sucked. If I’m going to see a romance movie, I want a definite happily ever after.”

Her heart squeezed. “You like the happily ever after.”

“Doesn’t everyone?”

“I suppose so.”

“You pick out some romantic movie you want to see, and we’ll watch it together.”

She pondered the thought of her and Bash watching a romantic movie together. Sharing popcorn. Holding hands. Her in tears at the ending. Would he comfort her or laugh at her?

She already knew the answer. Bash wasn’t that kind of guy. He was sweet and comforting.

“Okay. We’ll do that.”

“I want you to know, though, that I’m just in it for the popcorn.”

She laughed and tossed a hunk of bread at him.