Page 45 of The Cupcake Cottage

“They’ve been in the family a while,” he said from his station at the stove.

“And you use them every day?”

“Why not?” Why hold back using something you really enjoyed? Why save it?

“I don’t know. I guess so they don’t get broken?”

“Sure. That’s a reason.”

She set the table, and when she returned to the kitchen, Maverick handed her a plate of hot fish. He followed her out with a homemade spicy mayo from the fridge, having already prepped the mango, avocado, onion, and cilantro for the toppings. He set it all on the table along with a stack of whole wheat flatbread.

“This looks amazing,” she said as they sat down across from each other.

“I hope I made enough.”

She looked at the fillets and raised her brows. “I’m pretty sure this is more than enough unless you still eat like you did as a teenager.”

“I do.”

Daisy-Mae followed Maverick’s moves, building her own taco. He could see from her expression that she wasn’t so sure about mango on top of fish. But upon her first bite, she closedher eyes, savoring the flavors. When she opened them again, Maverick smiled.

“You like it?”

“You’re going to be sorry.”

“Why’s that?”

“I’m going to be over here mooching dinner all the time,” she threatened.

His heart swelled at the thought. “Works for me.” He took a large bite of his own taco, pleased with his cooking skills. He’d have to remember to thank his mom later.

“Do you always cook for yourself?” she asked when they were working on second helpings.

“Pretty much. Athena gives us a strict diet to follow during the season. It’s easiest to just make the recipes she gives us.”

“Is this one of hers?”

Maverick nodded.

“It’s delicious. I should ask her for some recipes.”

“What?” He tossed his hands upward as though bothered. “Now mooching off of me isn’t good enough? You’ve got to go to the source?”

She giggled, giving him the sweetest smile. He could get used to this. Having her in his life, doing the things most couples took for granted.

When they had eaten their fill, they began packing up the leftovers. He’d definitely over-estimated how much Daisy-Mae would eat.

“I’m going to make myself a fish sandwich for tomorrow. You want one?”

“Cold fish?” Her mouth wrinkled into a frown.

“You don’t trust me?”

“Okay, fine. But if it’s gross, I’m going to march down to the rink and find you.”

“Promises, promises.”

He began prepping their sandwiches for the next day, a tidbit somehow falling from his steady hand and landing exactly in Ella’s mouth.

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