“Oh, look at you!” she exclaims, rushing over to hug me. “Aren’t you just a pretty thing?” She pulls back and glances at Noah. “And what a handsome little guy you are.”
“Emma, this is my Cora and her brother Noah,” Atlas offers proudly. I send a questioning gaze in his direction.HisCora? This is all happening so fast.
“Come in, come.” Threading her arm through mine, she leads me down a hallway I’m guessing takes us to the kitchen. I try to steal a glance at the photos adorning the walls, but she’s pretty quick. One catches my eye, but she continues walking, so I make a mental note to snoop later.
“Let’s eat. Atlas said you were still recovering, but I figured you’d be sick of soup by now, so I made some chicken pot pie instead.It’s a bit heartier, so I hope that’s okay,” she explains in one long breath as she walks away.
I nearly jump out of my skin when Atlas pulls me to his side. “Just go with it,” he whispers in my ear.
Clearing my throat, I hold up the bag I brought in with me. “I know you said we don’t have to bring anything, but I was taught to never show up empty handed to dinner.”
Offering me a smile, Emma takes the bag from me, peering inside. I made Atlas stop atTwin Roasts. When he told me we were going to meet his mom, I sent a text to Mila asking if she’d make some extra brownies for me. I didn’t tell her they were for dinner. I’m not quite ready for that conversation yet.Fortunately, when I stopped to grab them her and Mara were already gone.
“Oh, I loveTwin Roasts! Their coffee and baked goods are amazing,” she gushes.
“I’m glad you like them. My friends actually own the shop,” I explain as she unpacks the bag, setting the boxes on the counter. “I wasn’t sure if you were a peanut butter person or not, so I got a set of each.”
“That was very thoughtful of you, baby.” Atlas kisses my forehead.
Trying not to melt into a puddle on the spot, I steal a glance at Noah. He’s taken a seat at the table, looking a little lost. Instantly, my heart aches a bit. This is new territory for both of us, and I’m suddenly worried it’s too much for him. “Noah loves the peanut butter ones, so I figured if you guys didn’t, I’d just take them home for him.” I laugh, earning me a hopeful expression.
“Well, Noah,” Emma starts, “I happen to love peanut butter, so how about we just share that box?”
“Maybe,” Noah says, causing all of us to laugh.
Now that the tension has broken, we sit down to eat. Emma takes a seat at the head of the table, and I’m unsure of where to sit. Deciding to make a plate for Noah first, then worry after Atlas sits, I turntoward the stove.
I’ve made chicken pot pie before, but it’s usually with a store-bought crust to save time. From the looks of it, this one appears to be homemade. The crust is golden and flaky, and the smell of the chicken and vegetables is so strong it makes my stomach rumble.
“Here, Firefly, sit.” Atlas points at the chair across from Noah. “I already got you and Noah some. What do you guys want to drink?” He pulls open the fridge.
Glancing at the table, I notice Noah has a plate in front of him, and there are already two other full plates sitting next to each other. I try to remember the last time someone made me dinner, let alone took care of Noah or me. The Morgans have had us for dinner a bunch, but I’m used to serving for us.
It’s such a simple gesture, but it catches me off guard. “You didn’t have to do that,” I say, causing him to turn around, his gaze locking on mine.
“I know.” He smiles. “But I did, so eat, or no dessert for you. I’ll give it all to Noah.”
Noah’s eyes light up but immediately dampen when I let out a very unladylike snort. “That’s the last thing you need, kiddo.”
Atlas laughs as he returns to the table with a pitcher of what looks like tea in his hands. Filling Noah’s cup with water and ours with tea, he turns to look at me. “What’s wrong?”
I know I’m acting weird, but I can’t help it. I’ve never dated anyone long enough to hit the ‘meet the parents’ stage, and I don’t even know what Atlas and I are. He’s just sort of bulldozed his way in, and I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. How long until he gets bored? I can’t get used to this type of thing.
“Nothing. Thank you.” I steal a look at Emma, who’s sitting next to Noah. She’s wearing an expression I can’t quite place, and I’m hyper-aware of Atlas’ presence next to me, especially when he pulls my chair closer to his. The wood scrapes on the floor, and Emma gives me a knowing smile, shaking her head.
“So, Cora, tell me about yourself. Are you from here?”
“Um, basically. I’m a children’s librarian during the day, and in the evenings I moonlight as a receptionist for the shop.”
“That’s amazing! I’ve always loved reading. I hope the boys behave,” she says with a pointed look at Atlas. “Is your family local?”
There it is. The question I dread answering. It’s such an innocent, normal thing to ask, but it has Noah and me both freezing.
Putting my fork on my plate, I grab my tea to stall for a minute.
“It’s just me and Cora, oh, and the Morgans,” Noah offers, causing Emma’s gaze to shift to him.
“Just you and Cora, huh? That must be fun.” She smiles and offers me an apologetic look. I feel Atlas rest his hand on my thigh, but I don’t dare look at him.
