Page 10 of Uproot

"Yup! Especially pepperoni," Edison says, moving closer to Beckett.

"That's the best topping for sure," Beckett agrees, then his face turns serious. "Do you know who I am, Edison?"

"You're my uncle. Uncle Beckett," Edison responds, looking at him more closely. "Ms. Selah said you were coming."

Beckett holds out his hand to shake Edison's, "That I am. And this is my Assistant, Helen."

Edison shakes Beckett's hand, then gives Helen a small wave, and she nods, "Hi Edison," she greets earnestly.

Beckett stands back up and looks at me, and I run a hand over my hair, feeling nervous with his eyes on me again. "Well I was just going to give Edison dinner before he went with you all, but I lost track of time," I say.

"Do you want to have dinner with us?!" Edison chimes in excitedly. "Ms. Selah is a great cook!"

I tense up at the thought of having unexpected dinner guest, but then Beckett smiles down at Edison. The man was gorgeous before, but seeing him smile just makes me want to melt into a puddle on my own wood floor.

"Well that would be nice," Beckett says, moving his attention towards me. "Would you mind, Selah?"

The way he looks at me makes me want to say yes to whatever question he asks. I find myself nodding without even realizing it.

"I-yes, yes, sure. I made plenty of food," I say quickly, looking over at my kitchen. "Come have a seat and I'll get everyone a plate."

I hurry into the kitchen while I hear Edison striking up another conversation about Ninja Turtles with Beckett. I get out some plates and realize my hands are shaking as I set them down on my counter.

I'm normally a pretty introverted person around other adults, and the only people I've had over to my house since moving in here last Fall have been a few of my girlfriends I’ve grown close to.

It's definitely not like me to have people that are total strangers over for dinner, but I know that Edison could probably use a little more time to get used to being around Beckett before he leaves with him.

He's had a rough two days, and I felt like he was just starting to feel a little settled. But now he has to leave, and start over again.

"Can I help you?"

I whip around to see Beckett walking into my little kitchen and I nearly drop the forks I'm holding in my hand.

He strolls into my space as if he's been here a million times before, and his gaze moves from me, to inspect the stove, "Lasagna, my favorite," he proclaims.

"Really?" I squeak, then clear my throat. "It's my favorite too."

He gives me a faint smile, "How about you plate and I'll be your server?" he says, coming to stand next to me.

I give him a grateful smile, trying to act like my heart isn't racing underneath my dress and apron. "That would be great. Thank you Beckett," I say, getting my spatula out of the drawer.

I fill four plates with lasagna and he carries each of them to the table while I go in the fridge to take out the salad I made. I get out some bowls and divide the salad into each of them, as Beckett comes back in and opens a cabinet.

"Where are your glasses, Selah?" he asks.

"Oh! I forgot," I say, moving over to him and opening another cabinet. "I can get everyone a drink. I don't have many options but-"

He takes the glasses from me and I blink at him in surprise. "Water is sufficient, and I'll handle it, no worries," he says, going over to my fridge.

We work together to get everything on the table, then call Helen and Edison over. They take their seats, and Beckett pulls out a chair for me to sit. I say a quiet, "Thank you," before sitting down and scooting in. He sits down next to me and watches me as I pick up my fork.

"Thank you for having us over, Selah. And thank you for taking care of Edison while.." Beckett's voice trails off as he glances at Edison. "While I made my way here."

"It was no trouble at all. Edison is an amazing boy," I say smiling over at him. "Please, everyone go ahead and eat."

6

Selah

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