I don’t love that last word, not one bit.
“Dinner smells amazing,”I say, hovering around the counter as Gem confidently pokes at a pot with a wooden spoon. “Since when did you learn to cook?”
“Since I watched a video on YouTube.”
“Seriously? One video?” I shouldn’t be surprised. I’ve never met someone who can learn as fast as Gem.
“Let’s call it two if that helps you feel better. Relax, it’ll be fine. When’s Stellan coming?”
“Soon.” I glance at the clock. He’s expected in about ten minutes. “Can I do anything?”
“Chop lettuce for a salad. And I’m only letting you because your nerves are driving me crazy.”
“Oh, god, thank you.” I grab a knife and get to work. I’m not good when I’m nervous. Keeping my hands busy makes me feel better, and it’s nice that Gem knows that about me. She’s humming to herself as she puts together this beautiful potatoes and chicken thighs dish simmered in a rosemary sauce with lots of wine and vinegar. With anyone else, I might be skeptical, but Gem’s more than capable of learning how to cook in a single afternoon.
On some level, I know this is going to be fine. Gem’s an easy person to get along with. She generally likes everyone she meets and I’ve never seen her struggle to hold a conversation. My sister’s funny, happy, and outgoing.
Basically, everything I’m not.
My only concern is what she’s going to think about Stellan.
He’s not a Saturday-dinner-at-home kind of guy. I can’t even imagine him sitting at my table like a regular person. He belongs in seedy diners, upscale restaurants, and private nightclub booths. There’s a strange, dark aura around him, an aggressive and terrifying masculinity. I’m not sure what Gem’s going to think about it.
But she’s right about one thing. He’s beautiful. Gorgeous, really. It’s scary how my attraction to him has only grown since we slept together.
Maybe that’s because now I know what I’m missing.
And I want it back again.
“You’re going to slice your finger off if you don’t pay attention,” Gem chides, yanking me back to my task.
I grin sheepishly. “I probably should’ve watched those videos too.”
She puts a hand on my arm. It’s warming and comforting. “I promise I’m going to give him a fair shot, okay? This situation is weird, but I’m doing my best to go with it.”
“You’re a good sister.”
“Half as good as you, maybe.”
“True. No arguments here.”
She laughs and I grin back at her. Then we get back to work. I feel better by the time there’s a knock at the door and I find Stellan wearing his customary expensive suit with a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a box of cheesecake in the other.
“I couldn’t come empty-handed,” he says softly, stooping down to kiss my cheek. I let him even though it sends tingles down my spine. “Smells amazing in here.”
“Thanks for coming. I know this isn’t your scene, but?—”
He places the box of dessert down on the table and puts his hand on my lower back. “Your life is my life now too.”
“That’s not as comforting as you might think.” I steer him into the kitchen and force myself to make the introductions. Gem shakes his hand, beaming at the flowers, and he compliments her cooking.
“Can I just say how happy I am about all the improvements you’ve made around here?” She sits down at the table with us while dinner finishes. “Seriously, this place was falling apart.”
“Happy to do it.”
“Can’t be bringing you in any more money. You know, since you gave everyone a break on their rent.” Her eyebrows raise and she glances at me. “What are we paying now, by the way?”
“Nothing,” Stellan answers for me.
