"Yes."
Desperately wanting to know what Cade was thinking, Tristan debated how to broach the subject of their encounter in the cabin.
"So, um, I'm sorry about what happened in the cabin. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
Cade didn't answer right away. He kept his gaze focused on the trees and, Tristan knew, purposefully away from him. Finally, he mumbled, "It's nothing."
Though he allowed a moment of silence to pass, Tristan wasn't giving up.
"So did it?"
"What?" Cade said irritably.
God, this man was frustrating. Tristan was beginning to think prying information from Cade required truth serum or a telepathic link, neither of which was handy.
"Did it make you uncomfortable?"
Cade swiveled to pin him with a dangerous scowl. "Do you ever stop talking?"
Tristan bristled at the insult. "Hmph. It was just a question."
The other man didn't respond, but his body language oozed impending danger if Tristan prodded anymore, so he left it alone.
For now.
They completed a lap around the perimeter without any further conversation. Seeing no signs of rabid squirrels or any other infected rodents, they headed back inside.
"Are you hungry?" Cade asked.
"I could eat."
"I'll make dinner."
While Cade busied himself in the kitchen, Tristan resumed his internet search. He flipped the laptop closed when the stove beeped. The smells wafting from the kitchen were wonderful.
Tristan realized he hadn't had a decent meal in a week, and his stomach grumbled. "What did you make?" he asked as he plopped into a kitchen chair.
"Chicken, potatoes and vegetables."
Tristan's mouth watered at the first bite. "This is really good! Thanks for making it."
Cade squinted at him. "It's only baked chicken."
"Well, I like it. I'm a disaster in the kitchen. I mean, I can scramble eggs and make pasta, but that's about it."
No response.
"Do you cook a lot?" Tristan asked, savoring bites of the juicy meat. "Seems like you're good at it."
"Yeah. It's healthier."
"I bet you watch those cooking shows, right? Like Chopped and Top Chef."
Cade actually blushed, and Tristan found it adorable.
"Yeah, so?"
"Nothing. I mean, they're fun to watch, even for me, and I hate to cook. I think I like them 'cause I love food, and because I'd rather watch someone cook than do it myself. What about you? Why do you watch?"
