Honey snorted before she mumbled under her breath.
He didn’t feel that it was appropriate to explain what his job was at the club, especially since he didn’t work directly there. He worked for his uncle, so in turn, he hung out at the club at times. He used to tell people that he was a pilot, but now he couldn’t say that anymore. Now, he was an enforcer for his uncle, making sure that people paid Antonis, and if they didn’t, he visited them along with Christos and Jackson.
It was clear that Olivia didn’t believe him, but she didn’t question it anymore either, which Nikos was grateful for because he didn’t want a curious kid like Kai to know. He wasn’t exactly proud of the things that he did.
“Well, Mr. Entertainer,” Olivia said as she grabbed her purse. “It was nice meeting you, but I’m beat for the night, and I have a bed at home waiting for me.”
“It was nice meeting you too,” Nikos said as he stood. He guessed he should get going too. He hadn’t exactly planned on staying long. He could walk Olivia to her car before he went home.
“You’re leaving already?” Honey asked her sister. “You’re not even going to eat?”
“I already ate, and everything I want to ask you can’t be asked right now,” Olivia said as she glanced at him pointedly. Honey rolled her eyes.
“Bye, Kai,” Olivia said. “You be good tonight.”
“Okay,” Kai said as he gave his aunt a hug and accepted her kiss. Olivia waved as she stepped out the front door.
“I guess I’ll be going then too,” Nikos said.
“Aww, do you have to? I wanted to play the game together,” Kai complained. “Can you stay? Please!”
Nikos was at a loss for words. He didn’t know how to say no to Kai since the kid was looking at him with pleading eyes, the same kind of eyes Nikos had given his own mother whenever he wanted something as a child, and now he realized why his mother had always given in to him despite his father always getting upset, saying that she was spoiling him. He looked at Honey, hoping she would be the bad guy because he already knew Honey wouldn’t want him to intrude on her private time. But what she said next surprised him.
“You can stay for dinner,” Honey said, and when his eyes widened, she quickly explained herself. “Think of it as a thank you for helping me tonight. I really appreciated it.”
“Yeah!” Kai cheered. “You’re staying, right? Please! Mom says it’s okay.”
“Okay,” Nikos said to Kai before adding, “You know you don’t have to thank me like this.”
Honey arched a brow, seemingly surprised by his chivalry, and Nikos grinned in turn.
“You can thank me with a date, maybe a movie, a little lunch— hah!” Nikos couldn’t continue any longer as he started tolaugh when Honey made a killing gesture with her knife at her throat.
Kai dragged him over to the couch, and while they played the game, Honey cooked in the kitchen. Nikos’s stomach growled at attention when the delicious aroma of the food hit his nostrils. He hadn’t even realized he was hungry until now, and now he was really grateful that Honey had invited him to stay for dinner. He would save her every time if it meant that.
It was over forty minutes later when everything was ready, and Nikos now sat at a small dining table in the corner of the room with Honey and Kai across from him. On his plate was juicy roast, homemade mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and asparagus. The sight of it made his mouth water. After saying a quick prayer, Kai was already digging into his food, messing up the nicely plated food. Nikos almost felt bad for messing it up, but he was too hungry to care, and soon, he took a bite himself too.
He nearly moaned. That was how good it was.
“I know I’ve told you this before, but you’re really a great cook,” Nikos praised. The burst of flavors on his tongue was perfect, and it was one of the best meals he had since being in New York.
“Thank you,” Honey said in a nonchalant manner, but the smile in her eyes betrayed her.
“It reminds me of home,” he said. Honey arched a brow in confusion, and Nikos chuckled.
“It’s just that since I’ve been to New York, I haven’t really had the chance to have any home-cooked meals. I’ve mostly been ordering takeout and things like that.”
It had been over a month since he had his mother’s cooking and since he had tasted Ira’s great meals. At times, he wantedto get on a flight back home solely for that, just to eat the food from his country. The food in New York was okay. He enjoyed a few slices of pizza and a hoagie, but nothing matched the taste of Greek cuisine. And at times, he missed it. Sitting here with Kai and Honey reminded him of the meals he had with his family back home. Eating at the table and reminiscing on old childhood memories with his brothers, teasing Aris with the help of his sister-in-law Mia, and sweet talking his mother until her frown melted.
He missed it.
“You probably miss home,” Honey said.
“Dearly,” Nikos admitted. “I even miss my brother Pierce, and that’s saying a lot because I never miss him.”
“Where are you from, Nikos?” Kai asked.
“Greece,” Nikos said. “Do you know where Greece is?”
