I hold up my headphones. “Ich muss meinen Spanischunterricht nachholen.” I tell him I need to catch up on my Spanish lessons in German since I have no clue how to say it in Spanish yet.
“Practice with me. I’m a much better teacher than some app.”
“Not happening. You’ll have no patience. I know it, and for some reason, I suck at Spanish.” Then I remember I wanted to ask him something. “Can we stop at the grocery store? I know you wanted to take me out to dinner, but I would like to cook for you instead, if that’s okay?”
“You don’t need to do that. We have a full-time chef at the house.”
“Oh. Okay,” I say, disappointed.
He lifts my chin to look me straight on. “Do you want me to give him the night off?”
I nod. “Could you? It would mean a lot to me if I could cook for you.”
“Of course, Jules.” He leans down and kisses me when Jackson catcall whistles at us.
Harrison mutters afuck’s sake, and I giggle at Jackson’s playfulness.
I’m glad Harrison agreed to tonight.
I know he doesn’t expect anything in return for the gifts he gives me, but I’d like to thank him and show how much I care and appreciate him by doing something I love and do well.
Classical music floats through the air as I effortlessly dance around the swanky chef’s kitchen. I know I had reservations about Harrison’s money. However, being able to cook in this kitchen might have me changing my mind about it all.
This is some top-of-the-line shit…the best of the best, and it looks exactly how I pictured every Hamptons kitchen.
All white, bright, and gorgeous.
The fridge is organized with a color scheme system and is stocked with every high-quality ingredient you could imagine. Outside, there is an extensive herb and vegetable garden. When I saw it, my face lit up like Christmas morning, and I was off picking different herbs within seconds of seeing it.
The best part of the kitchen isn’t even the kitchen itself. It’s the colossal windows overlooking the property.
There’s a large travertine patio, a heated saltwater pool lined with hand-painted white and baby blue tiles flown in from Spain, and sprawling perfectly mowed grass with symmetrical diagonal lines.
The whole fifteen-acre property is boxed in with high hedges, extra large hydrangeas, and every so often, patches of high grass and wildflowers are sprinkled in, reminiscent of the English countryside.
The back doors open, so you can dine in or out with a large custom, restored teak table that would be fit for a king, where currently, my king is sitting, working, waiting for his meal.
Harrison is different here—more laid back. Something I never imagined he could be.
I’ve unlocked another personality and can’t wait to get to know it better.
Though, now, his mood has also altered my whole menu.
I had a delicious five-star gourmet dinner planned. However, once we got here, Harrison changed into a bathing suit, a long-sleeved linen shirt, and flip-flops, and in that moment, I knew I needed to change my plan.
Instead, I decided on comfort food, making his favorites.
Herb-roasted filet mignon with a beautiful Béarnaise sauce, a melody of grilled vegetables from the garden, and roasted potatoes with an herb blend.
“What are you making now?”
“Dear God, don’t scare me like that.” I put my hand on my chest to allow my heartbeat to slow down.
“I called your name five times. You were daydreaming, miles away.” Harrison smiles as he walks around the kitchen island and takes me in his arms.
He smells like summer—sun-kissed and saltwater.
I turn to face him. “A dreamy house causes lots of daydreams.” I kiss his lips and try to escape when the timer goes off.
