“Yep. Left it on your desk.”
Smiling, he gave a short nod, then finally turned and headed down the hall.
I glanced down at Piper and shrugged. “Come on, girl, let’s finish this salad.”
After I’d cut up all the veggies and mixed them in a bowl, I used Liam’s laptop to look up recipes for a homemade dressing. He had a few bottles in his refrigerator, but I really wanted to try my hand at making something. When I found a simple lemon-garlic vinaigrette recipe and confirmed Liam had all the ingredients, I quickly got to work. I even found a cute bottle to put it in before placing the finished dressing in the fridge.
“What about rolls or garlic bread?” I said to Piper, who looked up at me and licked her lips, making me laugh.
Liam’s pantry was insane! I absolutely loved it, which made me wonder what my own kitchen looked like. It appeared I liked to cook, so I imagined I had a big kitchen. As I perused the shelves, I frowned. Why couldn’t I remember?
I held up my ring finger and didn’t notice a tan line or any evidence of a ring, but that didn’t necessarily mean anything.
Crouching to pet Piper, who’d followed me into the pantry, I stroked her soft fur. “I think if I had someone in my life like that, I wouldn’t forget them. Right?”
She let out a soft whine.
“Or is it because I find your dad so handsome, I’mhopingI don’t have anyone waiting on me back at home?”
That time she barked, and I laughed.
“That’s it. I’m convinced you know what I’m saying.”
She barked again.
“Right, let’s figure out the bread situation.”
Liam had a loaf of whole wheat bread in his pantry, and also everything to make bread, but I didn’t have time for that.
As I turned to walk out of the pantry, I ran smack into a solid body.
“Oof!” I said as strong hands grabbed my arms to steady me.
“You okay?” Liam asked with a slight chuckle.
I slowly lifted my gaze to see him smiling down at me. It was hard to ignore the zip of energy that raced through my body at his touch.
“Um, yes. Sorry, I was looking for something in your pantry to maybe make some rolls or garlic bread.”
When he winked, my knees became weak. He needs to stop winking at me. Did he even realize how often he did it? He dropped his hands, and I had to force myself not to sway.
“I’ve got you covered. I have garlic rolls in the freezer. I’ll heat some up. Randy should be here soon.”
My heart started to beat faster in my chest as I worried the hem of my shirt with both hands. “And you’re sure you trust him?”
Liam looked back at me with a reassuring smile. “I wouldn’t have asked him here if I didn’t. I know how hard this is for you, Mallory. Well, Idon’t, but I can imagine. If we’re not going to the police to file a report, we need help, and Randy can definitely help us.”
Biting nervously on my lips, I nodded. I knew he was right. I couldn’t hide out in Liam’s house forever. I needed to figure out who I was, where I was from and, most importantly, who’d kidnapped me.
Watching Liam move around the kitchen made me feel so at ease, and I soon found myself busy setting the dining room table with plates and bowls and silverware. I was slowly figuring out where everything was in the kitchen.
“I think I like to cook.”
Liam grinned. “If you want, we can plan out some meals so you can try your hand at cooking. I, for one, will not complain.”
Giggling, I watched as Liam placed the rolls in the second oven. “I’d like to do that. I wish I could go with you to the store.”
“Maybe you can. We can put you in a disguise.”
