98- Glass Bowl

We soon reach the top of the trail at the Gold Hill Peak and are gifted with the magnificent views of the Clinton Creek watershed which descends northwest and forms a reservoir in the valley below. We are both silent as we take in the views over the ridge of a wide expanse of meadows
backed by sawtooth peaks.
It is breathtaking, but it’s just as impressive as the man standing tall and staring at it with me in a silent wonder.
This is a beautiful moment, and I realize that I don’t want to let it pass. So I pull out my phone and before he can complain or catch my intention, I quickly take a picture of him.
He soon notices what I’m doing and instead of a stern reaction, he smiles. “Am I going to get fired for this?” I ask.
“Let’s take one together,” he suggests
My heart nearly stops in my chest. “Okay,” I respond, and cautiously go over. We turn our backs to the beautiful horizon, and our faces to the glow of the sun. He slips his arm around my waist and we both smile somewhat awkwardly for the very unexpected photo.
Afterwards, all I want to do is to stare at it, but he’s right beside me as we get back into his car to return to the city.
The pit of my stomach however is churning out butterflies and it makes the fully air conditioned car still feel somewhat too warm for me.
“What about my pancakes?” he suddenly asks.
I turn to look at him, unsure for a moment on how to respond to this. Then I bite my bottom lip to hide my smile at the major disappointment that I’m about to deliver. “Um well...”

Just then, he comes to a stop at a traffic light, and turns to hold my gaze.
I’m incredibly intimidated by that stern gaze but equally just as amused. “My plan was to get you some delicious ones at IHOP. Have you ever had their Cinn-A-stacks? Absolutely nothing else beats that.”
He stares at me without blinking.
I try my best to keep a straight face but it’s too difficult. My hand covers my mouth to hide my smile.
Grady shakes his head and returns his attention to the road. “We’ll go to the store instead,” he says. “I’ll make you pancakes.”
A half hour later, I’m still somewhat dazed as I sit on one of the island stools and watch Grady crack eggs into a bowl. In goes the milk then the baking powder and I’m mesmerized. My expectation was that he would be struggling to figure out a recipe gotten off the internet but instead, he’s working as though he’s done this a hundred times in the past. “You know how to cook?” I ask, completely stunned.
“Just pancakes, coffee, and eggs I guess,” he says as he begins to measure out the flour. “Plus, this was my dad’s specialty and he made it every chance he could get.”
I want to ask about his mother, but I’m a bit reluctant since he hasn’t mentioned her himself. With Grady, as I’m starting to realize, just the right degree of intrusion per time is recommended. Any more, and he is bound to close up like a clam. Plus, we have taken leaps and bounds in our relations with each other today, and I am more than satisfied with the level of progress attained so far.
“How are you going to serve it?” I ask, almost mesmerized by the effortless motions of his wrist as he works the batter in the glass bowl.
“What do you usually like yours with?” he asks.
“The usual; berries and syrup. Sometimes, I add some whipped cream but we didn't get that from the store.”
“Alright,” he says. “I’ll clean the blueberries. How many of them do you want?” He shakes his head. “I usually have mine like a taco. More savory than sweet, with some bacon, cheese and eggs.”
“Hmm, I’ve had this before too. They’re not bad. I still want my berries though, so I’ll just have a bite of yours.”
With a smile, he retrieves a pan and places it on the induction range. “You know those people that can share anything except their food?”

I laugh, already aware of where he is going with this condition. “Yeah?” “I’m one of those.” He nods.
A little while after, we are both seated beside each other at the island counter and I’m eyeing his appetizing looking taco pancake. “I want a bite,” I say.
He purposefully keeps his plate away from me. “Not happening.”
With a pout, I ponder on what to do seeing that he is extremely vigilant. So I rise to my feet with my own emptied plate and sigh heavily as I move past him. Just as I’m about to completely walk away however, I pounce onto his back and grab the wrist holding his paco.
He bursts out laughing and tries to pull his hand away from me. Since I refuse to let go however, his strength has me falling on him and it should have thereafter sent me rolling off to the floor but he catches me with an arm around my waist and holds me in place.
Assured of my balance, I still continue fighting for the bite of his paco to his immense amusement.
He soon gives up and I’m able to bring his last forkful to my mouth. The paco is absolutely delicious and especially sweeter, due to my hard won fight for it. I also love the way he’s watching me. His eyes are mixed with amusement and wonder and it makes my recent boldness begin to dissipate. I turn away shyly as I swallow, but his grip around my waist tightens. He turns my face to his, slants his head and I’m overtaken by a deep, heart stopping kiss.
This kiss is different and I can feel it in the depths of my soul. He resumes and pauses the kiss like he’s savoring a delicacy and one that he incredibly treasures. My face is cradled in his hand, as the warm velvet of his tongue strokes mine in a sensual dance, while his other hand gently caresses my waist, sending currents of mind numbing pleasure through my body.
When we finally part, I’m completely breathless and almost frozen in place. I’m still not ready to open my eyes but I do sense him softly brush my hair over my shoulder.
“Thank you,” he whispers and then begins to straighten my posture.
My eyes come open then but I don’t dare ask exactly what the thank you is for. Without a word, I take his plate and mine and we both head over to the sink.
We both rinse them in a comfortable silence, each contemplating our own thoughts especially at the depth of affection that had been packed into that kiss. He helps me load the dishwasher.
Now, I stand around almost confused at what to do next. “I’m going to go,” I eventually say. “I think I’ve given Lee Rang and her husband enough time to themselves today.”

“Ah,” he says. “We finally hear the real reason behind forcing me to go on a hike and to make pancakes for you. Expertly played.”
I’m not even apologetic as an appreciative smile just for him, curves my lips. “Thank you,” I say. Then I turn around and head to the foyer to grab my things. He escorts me to the door, and even though I want to stay a bit longer, I am reminded of the clam that he is. That kiss no doubt shook him as much as it did me, so I know it’s time for the both of us to take a little step away from the other before the flight mode is activated on both sides.
He pulls the door open.
I’m just about to leave when I stop. I turn around and give him a hug. “Your dad will be fine. Let’s hope for the best.” I soon let him go and begin to head towards the elevator, but then suddenly he calls out to me.
I turn to see him watching me from the door.
“How about tomorrow?” he asks. “Don’t you still need to give your sister and her husband some space?”
My heart jumps at the proposition. “I do. I was planning to spend it with a friend of mine at a bar or something.” This response immediately brings to mind our first time ever together at a bar, and I don’t know if it is imagined or not but his tone thereafter sounds a bit harsher.
“Spend it with me,” he says. “Let’s watch a movie here together.”
I have absolutely nothing to consider or think about, so I immediately give my response, “I’d love to.”