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Too soon, he pulls back and I want to follow his mouth and keep the kiss going but York stops me by burying his head in the crook of my neck, his glasses digging into my skin but I can’t complain, the feeling of York so close is heaven. “You’re so tempting, I’m struggling to not toss you on the counter again.” His voice is gravely and I want to beg him to do it, to toss me on the counter and take me.

“Naughty boy.” I run my fingers through his inky locks before pushing him away from my body. “I needed that dish to put in the oven and your family could come back in at any moment.” I hip check his body even further away and re-open the fridge to grab the precariously placed dishes. I keep my focus on the saran wrap with cooking instructions and ingredients listed out.

Like an alarm bell ringing in my head, I remember my conversation with Sybil earlier in the day. “Oh my goodness. York, look at this.” I drop the container on the counter and point out the list of ingredients, cashews listed as a part of the stuffing ingredients. “Doesn’t Reese have a nut allergy?” York steps closely, wrapping an arm around my waist as he bends down to read the ingredients.

It seems like he’s reading it multiple times to confirm we’re seeing the same things. York curses before straightening, keeping his arm wrapped around me. “Yes, he does have a fucking nut allergy. Thank you for catching that, honey.” York presses a hard kiss against my temple before letting me go and pulling his phone out of his pocket in jerky movements that show just how upset he truly is.

“I have to make a phone call, figure this out. Would you mind double checking the rest of the food?” York grabs the dish, taking it with him into the office he keeps on the main level, not waiting for my answer. Not that I need to answer, of course I’m going to double, possibly triple, check every part of this catered meal.

Hell, I’m tempted to dig the labels of what’s already been cooked out of the trash to confirm there hasn’t already been contamination. It’s been awhile since I had a client or friend with a nut allergy, so I want to do my best to make sure nothing gets missed, possibly putting Reese in danger.

17

YORK

Avery small part of me hopes that no one is working at the office of the caterers I hired, no one should have to work on a holiday but if I’m not able to reach someone about this oversight immediately, it’s just going to be worse for whoever has the displeasure of being who I do eventually reach. I take Reese’s allergy very seriously, the incident years ago put the fear of god into me.

I’ve worked tirelessly to make my home a nut-free space. It doesn’t matter to me that he’s not here often, I’d never do anything to intentionally put a family member at risk. I know it was made clear that there was a nut allergy that needed to be accommodated, both Bernie and myself reminded the company multiple times and the guarantee that they could was the reason I’d chosen this caterer specifically.

I’m so mad at myself, and beyond grateful for Sage, trusting that the correct measures were taken and never checking to confirm my brother would be safe. I don’t even know that Sage was aware of Reese’s allergy. My anger continues to grow as the line rings, eventually clicking over to an out of message.

I think I black out while leaving a message.

I’m all but punching the end button on my phone when a tentative knock on my door pulls my attention away from my anger. “York, it’s me.” Sage’s pretty red hair is like a shining beacon, my anger dissipating like a fog as she joins me in the office completely.

“I checked every other dish, including the ones that have already been cooked, and there aren’t any others with nuts. Looks like we caught the only problem.”

“You.”

“What?” Her confusion is so cute, everything about her feels like a balm on the burning frustration at this situation.

“You. You caught the problem.”

I cross the room in quick but hard strides, eating up the distance between us. I cradle her beautiful face in my hands. “If not for you being here, not only would my brother have had an allergic reaction, but Finn and Julie would have been traumatized, and Mother would be beside herself. You saved my family so much discomfort. I don’t know what I can do to show you my appreciation.”

The truth rushes out of me and exhausts me at the same time. I rest my forehead against Sage’s, closing my eyes as the emotional relief overwhelms me.

“Oh, York. You don’t need to do anything.” She’s wrong but I don’t think I could tell her otherwise at this moment if I tried. I drop my hands from her face to pull her body against mine in a bone crushing hug. “It’s okay, York. We stopped it. It’s okay.” Sage holds me with the same intensity and it’s exactly what I need to pull myself together.

I can’t help pressing my mouth against her in a kiss that I hope relays a smidgen of how grateful I am for her. Not just for stopping a potential disaster, but in general. I’ve never felt this way about another person before and it’s confusing as hell. I’ve known Sage for three days, or less, but the thought of sending her to another state at the end of this holiday celebration is starting to make me feel sick.

“Okay, okay. Down boy. Food still needs to be cooked.” I mumble my disagreement against her neck, I think I’d rather keep taking bites of her to keep myself satisfied. “One more minute.” I press a soft kiss to Sage’s lips, reveling in her presence.

A soft sigh leaves Sage before she takes a step back. “Tonight.” The promise leaves her in a whisper before she sneaks out of my office.

I go back to my desk, taking a seat in my office chair and glare at the offending side dish. I’m not sure what I should do with it, it needs to be disposed of but what’s the safest method?

Probably best to take it to the outside trash can.

I’m lifting the lid of the trashcan outside as the thought that I should be wrapping this up before disposing of it would be better. Turning on my heel, I stomp back into the house, leaving the door slightly ajar.

“York, what’s going on?” Reese calls my name as I enter the kitchen. It takes everything I have to not snap at him to stay back, cradling the side dish in my arms and positioning my body to hopefully hide away what I’m holding is the best I can do.

“I just needed a garbage bag.” I grumble out, squatting down to get into the cupboard under my sink.

“Yes, but what do you need a garbage bag for?” Reese keeps coming closer and my nerves are so shot at this point, I’m ready to kick him away from me if he gets too close. Thankfully, blessedly, Sage steps between us. She’s facing Reese and with me still squatting down, I’m awarded a face full of her plump behind.

I want to take a bite.