I stopped in the doorway. The question must have shown on my face.
"Xion reached out yesterday," Algerone said. "We’re glad he and Boone could make it."
Xion's jaw tightened. "Figured if everyone else was risking their necks for this family bullshit, the least I could do was show up for dinner."
Boone's hand covered Xion's on the table.
Six pairs of eyes tracked me as I set down the appetizer platter.
"Hope everyone brought appetites. Main course shortly."
"Smells amazing," Leo offered. "I've been looking forward to this all day."
"I didn't know you cooked," Xander remarked. "Hidden talents, huh?"
"Maxime has many talents," Algerone replied. "Some more surprising than others."
Heat crawled up my neck. Xander smirked.
Xavier studied his water glass. "Gross. We're about to eat."
I retreated to the kitchen. The sauce had thickened past optimal, but I whisked in stock to recover it. The duck sliced cleanly. Not everything had failed.
When I returned with wine, the conversation had shifted to operational matters.
"Reid's team should be in position by now," Xavier was saying.
I circled the table, filling glasses. Red for Algerone and Xavier. White for Xander and Ash. Coffee for Xion, because I'd researched his preferences. Sparkling water for Boone.
As I reached Xander, they leaned toward me. "How’re the bruises?"
I touched my jaw reflexively. "You have your father's right hook."
"Damn right. Fair warning. Hurt him, and next time I won't stop at your face."
"Understood."
I retrieved the main course. The tourtière steamed properly, its crust golden and flaky.
"Impressive," Xavier observed. "Not casual cooking."
"Maxime doesn't do casual anything," Algerone said.
I took my seat beside him. His hand found my knee beneath the table, and warmth spread through my chest. Not arousal this time. The simple reassurance of his touch.
"The tourtière is traditional Québécois," I explained while serving. "My grandmother's recipe."
"Looks like a fancy pot pie," Xander observed.
"Essentially correct."
Boone's eyes widened as he took his first bite. Xion chewed, swallowed, and something in his posture shifted.
"Holy shit," Boone said. "This is incredible."
"It tastes like home," Xion added quietly. "I've never had Québécois food before, but there's something familiar about it."
"You know they say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach." Xion glanced down at his plate, jaw tight. "If you keep cooking like this, it might actually work."
