I took the spoon before she started flicking sauce all over the room like a Jackson Pollock painting in her vehement state.
“You should come with a hazard warning label,” I said. “No need to get offended on my behalf. I’ve made peace with my family dynamic and the choices I’ve made in my life. We don’t hate each other. It’s just clear that I’m not really one of them. That’s all. We have to play the cards we’re dealt in life.”
I dipped the spoon into the sauce, blew on it until it cooled, then tasted it. Nodding my approval, I scooped up more sauce for Riley to try it. Cupping my hand below the spoon to catch any dripping sauce, I held out to her.
“Taste,” I said. “Tell me if it needs more salt, lemon…rosemary, maybe.”
“You’re changing the subject,” she replied, narrowing her eyes.
“Yes, I am. Glad you noticed. I hate talking about myself and I regret opening this can of worms. So, humor me, would you?”
She heaved a sigh and leaned forward, gingerly tasting the sauce. I tried not to think about the pink flick of her tongue, or the way her lips closed around the tip of that damn spoon.
Never thought I would be jealous of a fucking kitchen utensil…
Riley’s eyes fluttered closed and she let out a moan.
“Oh, that’samazing!”
And now I’m hard as a rock,I thought.Great.
“Forget the salad,” she said. “Let’s just dip garlic bread in your sauce for dinner. I could live on that for the rest of my life.”
Pride swelled in my chest at her praise. Any decent man would feel like he could conquer the world with a woman like Riley by his side. And it seemed she was completely oblivious to her sexual appeal. Her ex probably took a wrecking ball to that aspect of her life, too.
“Vegetables are non-negotiable,” I said. “It’s part of eating a well-rounded meal. Besides, this sauce is loaded with cream and butter. You’re not dropping dead on my watch because of clogged arteries.”
Riley rolled her eyes with a groan.
“Killjoy.”
I chuckled and took her by the shoulders, directing her back to the salad.
“Be careful with that knife this time.”
After we were done cooking, we laid out dinner on the kitchen table. Riley settled into her chair across from me, looking content and relaxed. It was a welcome change from her anxious state after encountering her ex earlier today.
“What about your family?” I asked. “It’s my turn to grill you for information now.”
“Oh, my family is scattered all over the place. My sister got married and moved to New York. She’s so busy that it’s difficult to keep in touch these days. My brother joined the coast guard down in Texas. Mom has never been able to let the grass grow under her feet in one place for more than a few months, so I have no idea where she is actually. She’s a wild, free spirit. Can’t be pinned down.”
“And your dad?”
Riley swallowed hard, focused on twirling her pasta around her fork.
“He left. When I was thirteen. On Christmas Day.”
My heart lurched.
“Oh, Riley. I’m sorry to hear that.”
She managed a small, brave smile.
“It’s okay. It was a long time ago. But he was the only one in my family that I was really close to, and he didn’t even say good-bye. I think it will always sting a little. I’m the quiet one in myfamily, but Dad made me feel seen. He made time for me. Until…he didn’t.”
My food turned into a tasteless lump of paste in my mouth. I gulped at my water to wash it down.
“Did you ever…?”
