Page 39 of The Love Syllabus

Ms. Tina, wiping a dollop of tomato soup from her cheek, laughs. “We haven’t had this much fun in ages, Kerry. Mr. Grimes should take nights off more often!”

Syd, placing a delicately shaped leaf garnish atop a bowl of soup, beams up at me. “Look, Ms. Kind, I made it just like Daddy does when he’s trying to be fancy!”

Ari and the team set the table and just as we’re about to dig in, the sound of the library doors slamming draws our attention. Suddenly, a furious Vic stands in the doorway. His posture is rigid with irritation as his eyes scan the culinary chaos before him.

His voice booms across the kitchen, startling everyone, “What the hell are you doing in my kitchen?”

Ms. Tina and the rest of the staff stiffen while Syd mutters a nervous “Uh-oh,” widening her eyes at her father.

His anger circles the atmosphere, but so does my pride in our makeshift feast. I stand my ground, meeting his glare with a steady gaze, ready to defend our evening of joyful mayhem.

“Don’t worry, I got this!” I whisper to the girls.

I step forward, planting a bright, defiant smile on my face. “Mr. Grimes! So lovely of you to join us for dinner.” I happily announce, trying to diffuse the tension.

His scowl morphs into confusion as he glances down at his Rolex, his anger faltering. “Dinner?” He pauses, realization dawning. “Crap, it’s 7 p.m.!” His eyes soften as he turns to his daughters, his tone shifting to remorse. “Girls, I’m so sorry. I got so caught up in the library I forgot about dinner,” he apologizes, his usual stern demeanor crumbling for a moment.

His panic seems a bit dramatic as if he broke some sacred vow or promise. Missing a night of cooking dinner shouldn’t be that serious, but to him, it is.

Ari shrugs nonchalantly. “That’s okay! We cooked.”

His gaze sweeps the chaotic kitchen. “Who exactly iswe?”

With a mixture of pride and mischief, Ari declares, “Me, Syd, and Ms. Kind! Ms. Tina and the team were our assistants.”

The house staff’s smiles are non-existent as they nervously await Vic’s response.He’s such a buzzkill.

Vic surveys the disarray, his frustration brewing again. “So, you’re telling me that adults were in this kitchen, and yet it looks like a child’s disaster?” He picks up a bag of bread, inspecting the knotted bags with disapproval. “Where are the twist ties for these? Why are they tied like this?”

With an innocent smile, I answer, “Because that’s what you’re supposed to do, undo the twist ties, accidentally lose them, then tie the bag in a knot.” I explain, knowing full well I’m skating on thin ice.

A ripple of suppressed laughter travels through the kitchen, but Vic’s glare silences any further amusement.

Just as the tension boils over, Hudson saunters in, slinging an arm around his brother with a carefree grin. “Whoa! You’ve been busy, Ms. Kind. Taking over Vic’s kitchen to make sure everyone’s fed. I like a woman who takes initiative…and risks.” He remarks, winking at me.

My cheeks warm with an involuntary blush while Vic shrugs off his brother’s casual embrace and gestures sternly toward the spilled soup and breadcrumbs. “Clean this mess up, please.” He commands in a softer tone, tempered by the presence of his daughters.

Kneeling down, he embraces Ari and Syd. “Thank you, girls. I can’t wait to eat your delicious meal.”

As they hug him back, they chime in, “And what about Ms. Kind? She did most of the work, Dad. We were just flippin’ sandwiches.”

Ari sends me a conspiratorial wink, and I watch as he avoids eye contact and takes a deep breath. After a pause, he reluctantly mutters, “Thank you, Ms. Kind.”

I respond with a playful smile, handing plates to the Grimes men as we gather around the dining table. And Hudson wastes no time. He plunges his grilled cheese into the tomato soup and devours nearly half of it in one enthusiastic bite.

“Umn...” He moans in an appreciative and unexpectedly seductive tone. “This grilled cheese is so damn good. Ms. Kind, I’m impressed.”

A soft giggle seeps from my lips. However, as Hudson attempts to join us at the table, Vic intervenes, his hand firm on his brother’s arm, and pulling him towards the library.

“What’d you think you’re doing? We got work to do.” He grumbles.

With a frustrated sigh, Hudson complies, and the two disappear back into the library, the door shutting with a definitive click behind them. A twinge of disappointment pricks at me. It would have been nice for Vic toat leasttake a bite.

After our chaotic dinner, the girls and I clean the kitchen to perfection then they dart off to their rooms, leaving echoes of laughter behind. How in the world do they still have energy? I’m exhausted! But when I check my watch, I’m shocked that it’s only 8 p.m.

My footsteps are heavy as I head to my room to unwind, but just as I think I’m in the clear, a chorus of excited voices stops me. “Ms. Kind! It’s story time!”

Pausing in the hallway, I realize that myofficialduties haven’t even started yet, and I’m already deep in. With a resigned yet affectionate sigh, I turn to head to Ari’s room but collide with a solid, unexpected obstacle, their dad.

---