Be Good by Dakota Madison Page B

are everything a guy could ever want and the fact that you’re with me is completely mind boggling.”
    I was stunned , speechless, which was a first. Generally, I was everything a guy could ever want but just for one night.   
    “Don’t ever lie to me again .”
    “I won’t . I promise.”
    And I believed him.

 
    Four
    When we got back to Brett’s townhouse, my stomach started to growl.
    “I’d better feed you,” Brett chuckled as we unpacked the groceries. “We can have a late lunch early dinner. We’ll call it linner .”
    “ Linner is much better than dunch ! Who would ever want to eat dunch ?”
    We both laughed. It felt good to finally release some of the tension that had built up between us.
    “Do you want to sit in the garden while I cook?” Brett suggested
    “I’d love to help you make linner.”
    Brett thought about it for a moment. “As much as I’d rather cook for you and serve you, I can tell you want to help, so okay, let’s do it.”
    That made me wonder if he and Sweater Vest ever cooked together or if she just let him do all of the cooking or maybe he always took her out to eat. I had to stop thinking about the two of them and their relationship or it was going to drive me crazy.
    We both washed our hands in the kitchen sink and I said, “So, let me know what you want me to do.”
    “Why don’t you start cutting up veggies and getting a salad together? I’ll start preparing the fish and the garlic bread.”
    “Yes, Sir,” I saluted and got the veggies together.
    Thirty minutes later, we had everything ready. “Now we just have to get the table in the garden set and everything will be perfect,” Brett stated .
    I wished it was that easy to make everything perfect.
    When I stepped into Brett’s backyard, it was like stepping into a fairytale garden. It was luscious and colorful. I thought it was the most beautiful place I had ever seen in my life. 
    Brett looked nervous. “Do you like it?” he asked tentatively.
    I shook my head. “I don’t like it. I absolutely love it!”
    That made Brett smile. “You’re the first person to see it, ot her than me.”
    I gulped. I had assumed Sweater Vest had been to Brett’s townhouse but she obviously hadn’t. That made me smile.
    “Thank you for sharing this with me. It’s amazing.”
    “I’m glad you like it.”
    We set a small dining table Brett had placed in the corner of the garden near a small coy pond and fountain. Then we brought out the food and sat down.
    “Your garden is truly the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen .” As I continued admiring the surroundings.
    “You sitting here is what makes the garden beautiful .” Brett took my hand in his then lifted my hand to his mouth and placed a soft kiss on it.
    The food was delicious. After I’d eaten every bite on my plate, I was tempted to lift the plate and lick it clean. That’s how good it was.
    “I know I’ve said it before, but you’re a wonderful cook .”
    “You’re a wonderful helper . Terrific salad.”
    “You know it’s not necessary to constantly try and impress me .” 
    Brett fidgeted in his seat and looked uncomfortable and I immediately regretted mentioning it. But he seemed to be putting so much pressure on himself to win me over like I was some kind of prize. If anything, I felt more like a booby prize but that was another issue entirely.
    “I know I’m not good enough for you .” When he looked into my eyes, Brett looked so vulnerable it made me want to hug him. I never had such a strong urge to comfort anyone in my life. Brett was the only one to bring those feelings out in me. It scared me because it made me feel vulnerable, too.
    Brett continued. “I’ll never be good enough for you. But I’m doing everything I know how to win your love.”
    I could feel a teardrop slide down my cheek. I couldn’t b elieve he said he wasn’t good enough for me. I was the one who didn’t feel good enough for him.
    “Let’s sit on the couch