"Nothing, nothing," she says. "See you soon."
I give a short laugh and go upstairs to shower.
It doesn't take me twenty minutes, so I get dressed, and to kill some time, I go over shipping logs on my phone, signing off on paper towels and toilet paper on the customs paperwork, which seem innocent but are really guns and drugs that Declan will push on to Enzo and Ares in Chicago.
Once that's done, I slowly walk back down to the kitchen.
"You ready for me?" I ask, staying around the corner.
"Yes," she says.
I turn the corner, and she's standing by the island with a big smile on her face.
"For you," she says, and with both her hands, points to the plate next to her.
It's surrounded by tall, glowing candles and a short cup full of brown liquid.
"Colcannon with bacon," she says, and pointing to the glass, "and your favorite whiskey."
I step into the kitchen in disbelief. She did this for me?
I've killed men today. Beaten them until my knuckles split. And I come home tothis,candles, her proud smile, a meal she made with her own hands.
I don't deserve this.
But standing here, looking at her waiting for my reaction, I realize something that scares the shit out of me, I want it anyway.
"You didn't have to do any of this," I say.
"Well," she says with a smile, "I made it, so let's see how you feel after trying it," she says, laughing.
"I'm sure it's going to be great," I say and lean in to kiss her.
"Sit, sit," she says and goes over to the stove, bringing another plate over. "We can eat it together. I've never had it."
I take a seat, and she sits next to me. I take a drink of whiskey, and it tastes better than it ever has before.
She looks at me intently, waiting for me to pick up my fork and try it.
I take a bite, and it's honestly the best I've had.
"Well?!" she says, sitting up straight. "Linda said that was your favorite bacon, so I used that."
"It's delicious, Zaria."
"Really?!"
I nod, swallowing. "Yes. I haven't had this in a long time. Wow," I say, taking another bite. "I forgot how good this is."
Zaria's face goes red from smiling so much. "I'm so happy," she says and tries it. "Oh, it is good," she says, laughing. "I did alright."
"Linda better watch out," I say.
"I'd cook for you every day, Callum," she says and looks at me, smiles, and turns away, "if you'd want."
I grab her chin, turning her to look at me. "I'd like that," I say, and kiss her.
We talk and eat, and while I've never had this as a main meal, I don't mind. She made it, and it's perfect.
