Twenty
NATASHA
“That’s it?”
I stare dubiously into the pot on the stove and then look over at Lulu, who’s grinning widely at me. It’s been just under a week since we were all at Lulu’s home for dinner, and I love that she came over to spend the day with me. I’ve already learned so much from my new friend.
“That’s it, friend. You’re doing great. Mac and cheese is my favorite thing to make because it’sso goodand easy.”
“Except when you shred your finger instead of the cheese.” I hold up my bandaged hand, and we both laugh.
“Eh, what’s a little blood?” Lulu waves me off and then turns to the mixer on the island. I didn’t know we even had a mixer until the two of us went scavenging through the huge butler’s pantry to see what kind of supplies we have on hand. “Okay, we’re going to mix the cookie dough and then use the ice cream scoop to measure out the perfect amount for each cookie.”
“Right.” I watch carefully as Lulu turns the mixer on and starts to add ingredients.
“You can wait to do this at the end, but it’s just easier to start it up and add stuff.”
“Easy. Gotcha.”
This doesn’t look easy at all. Ask me to invest your stock portfolio, and I can do that with my eyes closed.
But make a batch of peanut butter cookies? I’m lost.
Thanks to my friend, I now know how to work the gas stove, and the difference between Bake and Broil, so there’s been some progress today.
“I’m glad you know what Julian’s favorite cookies are,” I say as we roll out balls of dough and place them on baking sheets. I’m following her lead. I feel clumsy and uncomfortable, but I’m doing it.
“It happened by accident, actually. I was having a really bad weekend and decided to bake everything under the sun. Cheesecakes, cookies, cupcakes, you name it.”
“I bet the guys loved that.”
Lulu smirks and grabs a fork for me and one for her. “We’re going to squish the dough balls, just like this.” She shows me how to flatten the dough with the tines of the fork and then continues with her story. “Rome wasn’t happy that I was upset, but they all loved the outcome, yes. When Julian saw the peanut butter cookies, he claimed the whole container for himself and drew a gun on Mateo when he tried to grab one.”
I can’t help but laugh at that because I can totally see it happening in my head.
“That’s both hilarious and alarming.”
“What is?” Julian asks as he walks in the room. He lifts an eyebrow when he sees the peanut butter cookies ready for the oven. “My favorite.”
I smile at him. He’s only been gone for a few hours, and damn it, I missed him. “So I heard. Lulu was just telling me about the lengths you’ll go to protect your cookies.”
Julian smirks. “I’ve killed men for far less than trying to steal dessert. Hi, Lu.”
“Hey,” she says with a smile. “I don’t think Natasha will be trying to burn the house down anymore.”
“I know you hired a chef,” I tell my husband, “but she can’t work every single day. I can limp through her days off.”
“Whatever you say,” my husband replies before kissing me on the forehead. “I’ll be in my office.”
He shoves his hands in his pockets and walks away, and I can’t tear my gaze away from his truly spectacular ass.
“He has to do alotof squats to look like that in those pants,” I murmur, and Lulu bites her lip.
“They all work out a ton. Okay, these go in the oven for about fifteen minutes.”
I’ve loved spending the day with Lulu. She doesn’t talk to me like I’m an idiot just because I don’t know how to cook. She’s an excellent teacher, and by the time she leaves, I have three dozen cookies, three full meals saved in the fridge, and even more self-confidence than I had when she arrived this morning.
With a plate of delicious peanut-buttery goodness in hand, I wander back to Julian’s office. The door is open, so I stride in, and then stop when I see that he’s on the phone.
