Free Working Man by Melanie Schuster Page A

he’d noticed the day before were still just as cute. She wasn’t in any hurry to let him in, she just gave him a look that wasn’t hostile, but it wasn’t too friendly either.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” she asked.
    â€œI brought you dinner,” he told her. “I figured you’d be too tired to cook after your first day at work.”
    Nick watched her face light up with surprise and gratitude. She tried to cover it up with a stern expression but it was too late. “Thank you, Nick. That was very thoughtful of you,” she said finally as she opened the door wide. “Come in, please, and make yourself at home.”
    He did just that, entering the apartment and taking the bags to the kitchen. The kitchen was bigger than most apartment kitchens and it was fully equipped with the latest and most advanced in culinary technology. He grimaced when he looked at the work island where Dakota had obviously been consuming her evening meal—cottage cheese and raw vegetables. A bottle of spring water and a container of watermelon chunks completed the repast. “Was that all you were going to eat? That’s not enough to keep a bird alive,” he commented.
    â€œI’m trying to umm, watch my weight,” Dakota mumbled.
    Nick groaned and reached into the cupboard for plates, which he put on the work island. He also got out a couple of glasses while Dakota got silverware. They were joined by Cha-Cha, who was thrilled to see her man again. Nick greeted her affectionately and even though he’d just washed his hands, he bent and picked her up for a little kitty lovin’ before putting her down and washing his hands again.
    He and Dakota said grace together and after saying “amen” she looked at him expectantly. “So what did you bring us?”
    What he’d brought was a feast from one of his favorite restaurants. “I hope you like Greek food,” he said as he opened the containers. The smells of lemon, oregano and thyme filled the room and Dakota beamed with pleasure.
    â€œIt just so happens that I love all Mediterranean food, especially Greek.” They dined on lemon soup, stuffed grape leaves, souvlaki and rice pilaf, with small homemade pitas that were no bigger than the palm of Nick’s hand. And for dessert he’d brought baklava. It looked positively decadent with honey syrup oozing out of each piece, and Dakota looked mightily tempted, but she refused.
    â€œIt looks delicious, but no thank you,” she said with a tinge of sadness in her voice.
    Nick rolled his eyes as he got up and cleared the dishes away. “I’m going to make some coffee. Can you drink coffee this late?”
    Dakota said she could. “It actually makes me really relaxed for some reason. I’ve never had a problem drinking coffee at any hour,” she admitted. “I can get those,” she protested as Nick began to wash the few dishes they’d used.
    â€œI’m already done,” he told her. “Now sit down and get comfortable while I make the coffee. Tell me how your first day went.”
    He was pleased when she did just that, telling him about the people she’d met, the layout of the offices and her impressions of her new boss. When the coffee was ready they took it into the living room and Dakota curled up on one end of the sofa while Nick turned on the stereo. She teased him, saying it was a good thing one of them could work the thing. “I tried to figure out that remote so I could watch the news but it was hopeless,” she said.
    â€œI’ll teach you how to work it. It’s not that hard.” The room was filled with soft music as “Sun Goddess” by Ramsey Lewis and Earth, Wind and Fire began to play.
    Dakota’s eyes shone with appreciation. “I love this CD. You’re into old-school music?”
    â€œOld-school, new-school, jazz, rock, hip-hop, I like it all,” Nick said as he