It was a bit awkward when we were done with our brownies and drinks, but she seemed settled like her mission was accomplished.
“Thanks for this, but you didn’t have to. I wasn’t offended after you explained yourself,” I told her as I stood. “I’m gladyou’re having fun cooking though. You should stick with it if you like it because you’re good—the food was.”
“Thanks, Creed. I hope you have a good day and no one bothers you again,” she replied… As that blush crept back onto her cheeks.
Fuck everything. I wanted to ask for her number or to see her again.
Which was why I forced myself to turn and walk away. Chicks were trouble and I didn’t need trouble. The last thing men on parole needed was trouble.
And yet she was sitting there waiting for me again the next day.
She smiled at me as I walked towards her ready to ask what the hell was going on. “Do you have any food allergies? There were a few recipes I was thinking of trying, but I wasn’t sure if you had any allergies. I know sometimes shifters can have them—their animals can.”
So this was just… A chance for someone to taste her cooking who wasn’t critical and would appreciate it? Was this beauty really cooking for me and coming here just because everyone else in her life were assholes?
Actually, that didn’t sound all that weird given I was in the same situation.
“No, no food allergies,” I heard myself saying. “I’m not very picky, but I don’t like spicy.” I frowned. “Peas and chickpeas have a weird mouthfeel when those skins come off in your mouth, but I like falafel.”
“I’ve never had falafel, but I’ve heard it’s good,” she muttered. “But I can’t handle spicy, so we’re safe there.” She patted the seat next to her and then opened the damn picnic basket. “I made a pesto chicken salad and put it on sourdough that looked delicious. And made a lemon-blueberry sheet cake.I have some of that for you to take home because I will eat it all otherwise.”
Okay, so we were really doing this.
Apparently, because I sat down.
And everything was fantastic. Spending time withherwas fantastic. A bit awkward but… Soothing too. She was kind and didn’t judge. She didn’t push. She was curious and asked questions, but she didn’t bother me if it was clear I didn’t want to talk about it.
Aurora was really too good to be true.
No, really she was, and I should have listened to my gut that chicks were trouble and not gone near her.
We ate lunch together for two weeks. It was an array of amazing food and always something for me to take home. She wouldn’t let me give her money for any of it, saying it was part of being her test taster. We both knew that was crap and she was being kind.
Until I realized there was a reason behind it all.
“Mrs. Re—Aurora, Ms. Reed wasn’t aware you were stopping by the hospital yet again,” a man said while we were eating. “Is there something you needed?”
“No, I just—is Ellie upset?” Aurora stuttered, shrinking into herself.
“You know the head of the hospital?” I asked, glancing between them. “You’re married?”
“I’m her stepmother and—” she started to explain, but the guy cut in and with an attitude I didn’t like.
“Formerstepmother,” he corrected.
Aurora started wrapping up her lunch. “And I’m in the middle of my divorce, but I haven’t even seen him in centuries.”
Okayyyyyy then. That sounded beyond complicated.
The guy turned his gaze on me. “Yes, of course you were unaware of this. I think it best you—”
“Look, I don’t know your damage, but we didn’t even exchange last names or…” I trailed off and ran my tongue over my teeth when Aurora flinched. “You looked into me? Are you spying on me for the head of the hospital?”
“Yes, no—yes—I had—it wasn’t like that, Creed,” she rambled, getting flustered. “I swear.” She flinched when I stood. “Please,pleaselet me explain.”
“Whatever is going on here does not need to be a floor show, so let’s take it to my office,” a female said firmly. I swallowed a groan when Ellie Reed stood there. The head of ASH and she was staring between the three of us like we were the last thing she wanted to deal with.
Hey, the feeling was mutual.
