Licking my lips, I sat down and instantly grabbed my fork…and after that, things got a bit blurry.
I knew my fork was ripped out of my hands.
The soul tune screamed in displeasure.
And then, somehow I had a knife in my hand.
…and it was aimed at Daniil.
“Papa…I think she wants her fork back,” Eva stated slowly.
I blinked into Daniil’s clear eyes. And dropped the weapon, hearing it clatter to his plate.
“That needs to be tested,” Daniil said calmly and slowly. “Then you can eat it.”
Sucking in a harsh breath, I nodded.
Slowly, he took the plate, and I watched avidly as my green bean casserole was taken back into the kitchen.
“She’s worse than I was,” Ember stated cheerfully, and I glanced her. She toasted me with her wine glass. “Congrats. You take the cake for cracked preggos craver.” She grinned, taking a sip. “And it’s only just beginning.”
I would have flipped her off, but her kids were sitting right there, and I had already pulled a knife on Daniil in front of them. Ember smiled at me evilly, but it changed as she looked down at Nikki and Beth, saying, “Elizabeth’s pregnant. Sometimes pregnant women do crazy things around food.” She glanced at me, and back at them. “So guard your cookies.”
I watched Nikki and Beth each take their cookies off their plates and stuff them in their laps. I glared at her.Thank you for that, bitch, I told her with my eyes. And her eyes just laughed right back at me.
And then, I stilled, sniffing the air. And my gaze snapped to the left, past Daniil, who I couldn’t quite bring myself to look at yet. I watched the door to the kitchen, and about three seconds later, it opened, and my plate was brought back out.
“Her nose is better than yours,” Eva muttered to someone.
“It’s just the hormones,” Ember stated, sounding miffed. “I’d like to see her do that when she’s not pregnant.”
I stopped listening after that because my green bean casserole was placed back in front of me. I glanced around for my fork…and remembered Daniil had taken it. I actually debated eating with my fingers for a few moments, but I heard him softly clear his throat. Timidly, pathetically, I peeked up at him. I had held a damn knife to him. The man I was falling for. Ashamed didn’t even begin to describe my emotions.
His eyebrows rose mockingly, and he twirled the fork between his fingers. I knew what he was doing, trying to get a rise out of me to pull me out of my funk, but I honestly didn’t feel like it. I just wanted to erase that instance. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out, and I closed it clearing my throat, feeling my chin start to tremble as I whispered hoarsely, “I’m sorry.”
His eyes instantly softened, and he bent over. “If you think having a knife pulled on me, which you seriously need to learn how to hold properly, hurt my feelings or scared me, then you need to pay better attention.” He placed the fork down on my plate.
My hand went to it immediately, but I breathed through the soulful tune and looked back up at him. “I’m still sorry.”
He kissed my crinkled forehead. “I know. Now eat.” He grinned against my skin. “I’ll make sure cook makes some of that every night, just in case.”
I stabbed a green bean and watched myself hold it up to his mouth, my hand trembling a little with the action. “You first.”
He shook his head slightly, his lips curling. “No.”
I scowled at the trembling fork. “Take a bite or I’m going to have the cook put it down the garbage disposal.” Dammit, this was a kind gesture; he had better damn well take it. This was better than a simple worded apology.
His eyes darted all over my face.
He opened his mouth and took my offering.
And his nose crinkled.
I shook my head. “Well, that means more for me.” I dug in…and heavenly choirs sang. I groaned, and disregarded everyone as I inhaled each and every last bite of it. I eyed my plate when it was all gone, wondering if anyone would notice if I used my finger to get that last bit in the crevice of the china.
Ember started snorting on the other side of the table.
My eyes flashed to her.
