Page 25 of Pucking Your Best Friend

He lifted a shoulder and leaned against the kitchen island. “Didn’t you watch the game?”

Her cheeks turned pink. Was she obligated to, as his new roommate? “Oh, no, I didn’t. I was too busy. Did you win?”

He smiled weakly. “Nah.”

Her shoulders sagged and she squeezed his hand across the counter. “Oh, sorry. At least I didn’t miss anything.”

He snorted. “It’s nice to have someone in my life who doesn’t care about hockey.”

She laughed nervously and diced the onions finely. “Sorry. Should I be sadder?”

“No, no. Please don’t be. You already look sad enough.” He leaned over the kitchen island toward her, narrowing his eyes. “Have you been crying?”

She glanced down guiltily. “A little.”

“Because of the onions?”

She swallowed. “A little.”

“Oh, Maddie.” He came around the island with a sigh.

“It’s no big deal!” She waved him off in case he was thinking about hugging her. For some reason, Matt’s hugs opened her floodgates and she had worked hard today to keep them shut. “Just a few aftereffects from yesterday. I’m feeling much better!” At least, she was no longer close to breaking down. “Really. Don’t worry.”

Matt looked at her skeptically but finally gave up and peeked into the oven instead.

“What are you cooking?”

“Chicken drumsticks.”

“Bone in?”

“Yep.”

He raised his eyebrows in surprise. “But you hate things with bones in them. Actually, you’re mostly vegetarian, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I bought the chicken for you because your diet is always so healthy during the season. I actually wanted the brisket, but the lady next to me at the store took the last one and I didn’t want to make a fuss… I thought I’d bake the drumsticks rather than fry them. Less fat.”

A line appeared between Matt’s eyes. “Why didn’t you just ask the store…”

“Never mind, they’re just legs. You know I don’t like arguing.”

“Telling the store what you want isn’targuing.”

Yes, it was. In a way. At least, it was a type of confrontation she had wanted to avoid. “I don’t care. I’m sure it’ll be delicious anyway.”

“That’s not the point.”

“Is the point to annoy me? Because you’ve hit the nail on the head.”

He sighed. “Fine.”

“Yes,” she said emphatically. “The onions are for salsa. There are potatoes and green beans too.” She nodded at the pots next to her. “You have a very cool induction cooktop.”

“I do?”

She snorted. “You’re impossible. Are you hungry? Please lie if you aren’t. I’ve been working in the kitchen for an hour.”

He grinned. “I’m hungry. I’m always hungry. And it smells delicious.”

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