I followed at a slower pace. We’d been getting along so well, and then my thoughts had to go and get inappropriate, making everything awkward again. Okay. He wasn’t being awkward. I was.
As I mixed the dry ingredients for the coating, I surreptitiously watched Xander dice the boneless chicken thighs. My cheeks became red hot as I marvelled at his wrist action. What the hell was wrong with me? The guy was cutting meat, not beating himself off. I sucked in a breath and turned my back on Xander.
“Jae, are you okay?”
I stiffened at the closeness of his voice. Slowly, I raised my chin and dared to look over my shoulder. He was standing right behind me, close enough that he’d be able to wrap his arms around me and pull me against his chest. Not that he would. I doubted I was anything more to him aside from Dillon’s best friend. But if that were true, why would he have gone above and beyond to get me a new portfolio?
I shook my head. I couldn’t read too much into that. Xander was a nice guy. An amazing guy. He was kind, funny, generous, and incredibly sexy.
“You’re not okay?” Xander asked.
“No. I mean, yes. I’m fine.”
“You’re not acting fine. You’re acting kind of weird.”
I made myself laugh. “Sorry. It’s been a full-on day.”
“As long as you’re okay.”
“I am. I promise.” I was having far too many sexy thoughts about Xander. But that was my problem, not his. “Dinner isn’t going to cook itself.”
“I’d be worried if it did.” He stepped away. “The chicken’s ready.”
“Wonderful, thanks. You can go and relax. I’m good here.”
“I’d like to help.”
I turned to face him. “You’ve already done so much, Xander. Let me make dinner for you.”
“Okay. But if you need any help—”
“I’ll ask.”
I waited for Xander to sit down and turn the TV on, and then I carried on cooking. I’d made dakgangjeong chicken with Mum so many times that I could cook it on autopilot. It meant I was able to glance across at Xander every so often. Or, more honestly, several times. Once or twice he caught me and smiled adorably. My cheeks became hot, and I abruptly looked away each time.
“Dinner’s ready,” I called once I’d put everything on the table.
I’d served the chicken with fried rice and a plate of cucumber in case Xander needed to cool his mouth down.
He joined me at the table and inhaled deeply. “It looks and smells amazing.” He pulled a seat out for me, which made my heart quiver. “Dumb question, but what is it?”
“It’s not a dumb question. Dakgangjeong chicken.”
“Umm…”
I laughed. “Crispy Korean chicken nuggets. It was one of my favourites when I was a kid. Careful,” I warned as Xander speared a piece of chicken with his fork. “It’s hot.”
He took a bite and made appreciative noises. Then his eyes popped wide. It was easy to imagine cartoon steam coming from his ears and nostrils. He swallowed the chicken and fanned his open mouth as if that would cool it down.
“You weren’t kidding when you said it was hot.” He grabbed his glass of water and drank half in one go.
“Have some cucumber.” I pushed the plate towards him.
He ate three slices. “It’s delicious. You’re going to have to teach me how to cook this.” He added some rice to his plate. “Or maybe I should keep you so you can cook like this every night.”
I laughed. And then gaped. And then laughed again.
“I’m kidding.”
