“You can’t?”
“Nope.Aman needs waffles.”
“Specifically waffles?”Iasked, delighted at his playfulness.Carterhad never been playful.He’dnever been anything but cranky and disapproving.
“Specifically waffles,”Koragreed.“Thoughpancakes are also acceptable in emergencies.”
I laughed again.
“I’ve never had a pancake emergency.”
“You’re lucky—a pancake emergency can turn into a very sticky situation.Becauseof all the syrup, you know,” he said, totally deadpan.
I swatted at his arm.
“Kor!”
“I know,Iknow—sorry for theDadjoke.”Butthe laughter in his warm brown eyes told me he wasn’t sorry at all.
“Well, since we don’t have a pancake emergency,Ivote for waffles this morning,”Isaid.
His eyes lit up.
“Excellentchoice, sweetheart.Ijust happen to be the foremost waffle chef in this entire area.”
“Meaning the area including the house?”Iasked, raising my eyebrows.
He grinned and nodded.
“Exactly.”
I laughed and swatted at his arm again.Iloved his sense of humor—Iloved being with a man who made me laugh instead of making me cry.Itwas such a new feeling, andIcouldn’t get enough of it—or ofKor.
A little while later we were downstairs in the kitchen together.Morningsunlight streamed through the tall windows, turning the granite countertops gold.Ifound myself smiling asIgathered ingredients whileKorrummaged through cabinets looking for the waffle iron.
“Found it!”he announced triumphantly, holding it over his head like a trophy.
“You know, most people would have looked in the pantry first,”Ipointed out.
“Where’s the fun in that?”he asked.
“The fun isnotemptying every cabinet in the kitchen.”Ishook my head asIput the blender back where it belonged.
He shrugged.
“I was conducting a thorough investigation.”
“You were making a mess,”Isaid with mock severity.
“I prefer the termstrategic exploration.”
I rolled my eyes.
“You sound like a little boy.”
“Excuse me,I’ma verylargeboy.”
That made me laugh so hardIhad to put down the mixing bowlI’dbeen holding soIdidn’t spill it.
