“But—” she started with a pout.
He put his index finger to his lips. “Sh.” She opened her mouth again, but he gave her a stern glance, and she stopped fussing. “Sit.”
She sat down.
“I know this feels weird, but I want to,” he said. “Let me.”
She blinked. “Okay.” He could see she was thinking, and then she released a long breath, embarrassed. “I’m sorry,” she said, hiding her face behind her hands. “You’re trying to be nice and I’m being a control freak. It’s just that no one’s ever helped me...” She broke off, feeling shy. “I know most of thatis because I neverletanyone. I’m just not used to... I don’t know what I’m trying to say.”
Still, he understood.
“You’re not exactly letting me, either,” he said, rolling up his sleeves. He gave her a crooked grin. “Fortunately or unfortunately, I’m just as stubborn as you are.”
Her lips twitched as she got comfortable in her chair. “I wouldn’t take it that far—I’m still more stubborn.”
He laughed. “Always has to be a competition with you, huh?”
“Yes,” she replied with a bright smile, amused.
The truth was, he didn’t mind. Not anymore. He’d gladly let her win as long as she was smiling.
It made him think of the coffee shop proposal, Anh’s investment. He would try his best, but he realized at that moment that if he didn’t win, it would surely be tough, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world. And a part of him would be happy that Emmeline had won.
But he didn’t want to think about that right now.
Instead, he pulled out the ingredients to make pizza. “Sorry,” he said. “If I had known, I would have planned something fancier.”
“I love pizza.” She put her elbows up on the island, resting her face in her hands as she watched him.
“Good,” he said. It was quick and easy and always hit the spot.
“I would have a go at tossing the dough in the air to try and impress you, but I’m afraid I’d only embarrass myself instead,” he told her.
She laughed. “I can never toss dough either,” she said. “My nails always get caught.”
She showed him her hands with her long nails, and he wanted to kiss her fingertips, to feel her fingers in his mouth. Every moment felt like the prelude to a hundred other moments, as if the scene could play out in so many different ways, and he was keen to live each one. It felt like a present that held the promise of a future.
For now, he focused on feeding her, getting to work on the pizza dough, then letting it rest. Emmeline ambled over, sitting up on the counter beside his workspace. As the dough rested, he made a quick tomato sauce, and when the dough was ready, he assembled the pizzas. Once they were set on the pizza peel, she hopped off the counter.
“Should I preheat the oven?” she asked. He shook his head, smiling. This was part of the reason he wanted to make pizza.
“Nope.” He grabbed the peel, then headed for the backdoor, slipping on some outdoor shoes. She slipped on the pair beside his and followed him outside, where he showed her the oven next to the barn.
“Um?” She looked confused. “Where does it turn on?”
He grinned at her.
“Sharptooth!” he called, and the chimera came out from the barn. When she saw Luke by the oven, she came over to the back, where Luke propped open the door.
Then, Luke took Emmeline’s hand, stepping to the side. Once they were a safe distance away, Sharptooth fired into the oven, the heat of his flames cooking the pizza.
Emmeline’s face brightened with delight, precisely the reaction he was hoping for. “That’s so smart!” she said. “I love it.”
Once the pizzas were ready, he took them inside, where they sat together and ate.
“Mmm, this is delicious,” she said, digging into her pizza. It was perfectly gooey with a crunchy crust.
“I’m glad you like it,” he replied.
