The second she’s upright, she’s close enough for me to inhale a faint scent of vanilla and a warm, sweet citrus that hits me straight in the spine.
My body reacts immediately.
A jolt low and deep, sharp enough to make me nearly sway forward.
Her breath catches.
“What are you…” she starts, then trails off when she seems to remember she’s still holding my hand. She lets go immediately. “What are you doing here?”
“It’s my house,” I say, trying for charming but coming off slightly out of breath. “Well, technically Boone’s house, but my room is down the hall.”
Her jaw opens, then closes again. “This is… your house?”
“Yup.” I grin. “What are you doing in my pantry?”
She groans softly, wiping powder from her cheeks. “I’m the new chef.”
I blink.
Then I laugh. Loud. Borderline delighted.
Because fate, sweet, matchmaking fate, just dropped the woman I had a very, very memorable night with… directly into my home.
“My new coworker?” I ask, just to make sure I’m hearing that right.
She wants the floor to swallow her. “Your… your new chef.”
“Oh, this is fantastic,” I say, and I mean it. “I love this for us. Really ties the week together.”
She glares at me, which only makes her more adorable. “This is a nightmare.”
“Not yet,” I reply lightly. “But give me time.”
She opens her mouth, probably to argue, but a small voice cuts between us.
“Uncle Silas?
We both turn as Sadie pads into the kitchen, hair in little morning tangles. She blinks at me, then at Delaney, then at the flour explosion now coating three full shelves.
“Oh no,” she whispers dramatically. “Daddy’s gonna be so mad.”
I scoop her up, kissing the top of her head. “Daddy doesn’t need to know every detail.”
“Yes, he does,” she counters. “He always says the pantry is a sacred space.”
She sounds like him.
Delaney wipes her hands on her apron, guilt painting every line of her face. “I’m so sorry?—”
Sadie shakes her head, curls bouncing. “It’s okay! I spill stuff all the time. One time, I dropped an egg inside Daddy’s shoe.”
Delaney laughs, but Sadie’s smile dims a little.
Instantly, my instincts flare.
“What’s going on, Sadie Boo?” I ask, adjusting her on my hip.
She shrugs. “Nothing.”
