Spence actually laughs again and does a little shimmy on the stool. Jesus Christ. This man is so much hotter when he relaxes.
“What about you?” he asks.
I pause dramatically while crushing the vanilla bean open, then slowly lift one finger and tap the dimple in my chin. Spence's eyes darken instantly. A low rumble vibrates in his chest. I tap the dimple again. “Hmmm,” I draw out thoughtfully, watching him stare at my mouth. “Honestly? Pink. She puts on an incredible show.”
Spence hums. “I've heard that.”
I dump the vanilla into the batter. “Okay. Favorite color?”
I open the cream cheese container while the mixer hums quietly between us. But when several seconds pass without an answer, I glance up. Spence is just staring at me. Not casually. Not teasingly. Intensely. His throat bobs once. Then he looks me directly in the eyes and says softly—
“Green.”
Everything in the kitchen goes still. The mixer. The air. Me. Because I know this man did not just level me with one word. My pulse kicks hard against my ribs as we stare at each other in complete silence, something heavy and electric passing between us.
Suddenly, a loud trilling sound slices through the moment. I blink and glance toward my tablet propped up on the stand Spence bought me for my cooking videos. There’s an incoming video call from Cricket. I grin and tap the answer button.
“Hey, Cricket.”
“Hey, Ry.” Cricket's face fills the screen, her smile bright and immediate.
“Your ears must've been burning, big seester.”
“Oh really?” she asks suspiciously. “Why?” Then her eyes narrow as she peers closer at the screen. “And is that your friend's kitchen? It's incredible.”
I beam proudly and glance around like I personally had something to do with designing the place. “Yep. It's Spence's kitchen.” I pat the island lovingly. “I'm in heaven, Cricket.”
Harper suddenly pops into frame beside Cricket.
“Hey, Bug,” I say, cheerfully.
“Ooh,” Harper says, eyes widening. “Thatisnice.”
Cricket points at the screen. “So why would my ears be burning?”
I give them my most mischievous grin. “Spence and I just discovered we share the same favorite movie.”
Cricket groans immediately. Harper bursts out laughing.
Cricket points at her warningly. “Don't start.”
I bark out a laugh while Harper wheezes beside her. Then Harper squints toward the screen. “Wait. Is your friend there now?”
My entire face splits open with a smile. Across the island, Spence starts frantically waving both hands in a very clear absolutely-the-fuck-not motion.
Naturally, I ignore him. “You guys wanna meet him?”
“Of course,” Harper says instantly.
Before Spence can escape, I spin the tablet around on its stand.
A beat of silence. Then both my sisters gasp.
“Holy shit,” Harper blurts. “Look at you.”
I hear Cricket smack her. “Don't be rude, Harp.”
Then Cricket leans closer to the camera. “But seriously,” she says to Spence, “are you a model or something? Sweet Christmas on a cracker.”
