Page 18 of Uproot

And I refuse to acknowledge how much that possibility annoys me.

"Thank you," I say, stepping inside and looking around. He takes the plate with the chocolate chip cookies I baked from me and closes the door behind us.

His rental cabin is huge and I can tell it's been completely remodeled as I look around. He walks me through the front hallway past a living room and we continue on until we end up in a big Chef's kitchen. I smell something delicious floating through the air and wonder if his nanny is cooking.

"It smells so great in here," I say, as he goes around the island and heads to the cabinets.

"Thank you. I made pesto chicken. I hope you like it," he says, taking out some glasses. "Have a seat."

I sit down and watch him move over to the fridge, "You.. cooked dinner?"

"Why is that so shocking to everyone?" he grumbles, taking out a water pitcher. "I've known how to cook since I was 14. I just don't have time to do it that often with my schedule."

I nod, impressed that he has some kind of culinary skills. I didn't really think that someone like him would even care about doing anything domestic.

"And..how long ago were you 14?" I ask, trying to sound casual.

He turns and smirks at me, "About 17 years ago," he says, and my jaw goes slack.

I knew he looked young but assumed with his successful business that he was older, maybe around thirty-eight like me.

"Wow. You're very young to be running your own enterprise. That's impressive," I say, watching him fill the glasses with water.

He comes over and sets a glass down in front of me, studying my face. "Well, thank you, but I can't take all of the credit. I was born into the technology world. My father started what I took to the next level. I had all of the contacts and education provided to me to be successful."

I take a sip of water, and he watches me as if me drinking is somehow the most interesting thing he's ever seen.

I clear my throat and set my glass down, "But your brother had the same resources, I'm assuming. Some people take what they're given and create something truly incredible from it, while others will just waste their opportunities instead," I say.

He furrows his eyebrows, and for a moment I think I may have offended him speaking poorly about Charlie, but instead he gives me a crooked smile.

"You're very right, sweetheart. Thank you," he agrees, holding my gaze.

I smile, ignoring the goosebumps rolling up my arm from his hypnotizing eyes.

"Would you like something other than water to drink?" he asks, but I shake my head. "No, I'm fine. Thanks."

"Ok, I'm going to get Edison then. He is in the backyard with Dragana," he says.

I sit and wait, looking around the quiet kitchen. My phone buzzes and I go into my purse to get it out and frown when I see the name on it.

Bianca

I cringe, silencing the call and then put my phone away. Edison comes running over to me a moment later with a big smile on his face. I get up and give him a hug, and see he is carrying something in his hand.

"Ms. Selah, I got a new tablet!" He exclaims, showing me a tablet in a bright blue case. "And I learned how to play some reading games on it today with Uncle Beckett! Oh, and I did my whole homework packet too."

"Wow!" I say, bending down to look at the game in his hand. "That is all really great, Edi! I bet this is going to really help you catch up on your reading quickly."

Beckett comes back in the kitchen with a short, older woman wearing a friendly smile. They walk over to us and Beckett motions to me, "Selah, this is Dragana," he says.

Dragana reaches out to take my hand in both of hers, her hazel eyes shining happily, "It's a pleasure," she says, her voice deeply accented. She looks up at Beckett, "She is very,verypretty."

I blink in surprise when Beckett nods, and they both look over at me again. "She is," he agrees gruffly.

My brain is half dancing from his compliment, and half wanting to help me disappear into the kitchen floor. I've never been good at taking compliments. "Uh..thank you so much. It is great to meet you too, Dragana. Edi talked about you a lot today in class. He told me that you made him the most delicious cake."

Dragana pats Edison's shoulder, "He is a good boy," she says lovingly, but her expression turns sad.

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