Page 48 of Second Shot

I suppress ashiver.

“Rules,” Iwarn.

“Come on, Jacobs.” He grins, then turns. “Time toeat.”

I sit down at the kitchen island and watch as he pulls the lasagna from the oven. My mouth waters, and not just for food. But I settle for the lasagna, because as much as carbs are not my friend, they’re a lot less dangerous than thealternative.

“It’s good,” I say, shifting under hisgaze.

“Thanks. It’s Jane’s recipe.” I’d only met his foster parents once before they passed away. But they seemed like good people. They had to be for putting up with Kane all thoseyears.

“You made ityourself?”

“You soundimpressed.”

“I am.” My own culinary skills stop short at boiling a pot of water for RamenNoodles.

He chuckles. “I have a few hidden talents up mysleeve.”

“When you wear a shirt,” I mumble, making him laughharder.

“Come on, Jacobs, admit that you love it.” He leans on the island, fingers entwined, muscular forearms resting in front ofhim.

I shake my head, glancing down at my plate so he doesn’t see the truth in my eyes. “Just keep your pants on and we’ll begood.”

He laughs, going to the wine cooler and taking out a bottle of Chardonnay. Pouring two glasses, he places one in front ofme.

“I’ve missedthis.”

“What?” I take a sip of the chilledwine.

He leans against the counter and takes a sip before answering. “This.You. Your snarkycomments-”

“I’m notsnarky.”

“-and the way you watch me when you think I’m notlooking.”

“Idon’t.”

“You do. You always have.” He leans on the island and whispers, “But want to know asecret?”

“No.”Yes.

“I watch you,too.”

“That’s not a secret.” I take a sip of my wine, trying to hide the warmth that creeps into mycheeks.

Deep dimples cut into his cheeks when he smiles. “No. I guess it isn’t. Even Samknew-”

We both freeze, and hewinces.

After a few seconds of silence, Kane takes my plate and places it in thesink.

“Sorry.” His back is to me, but I hear the remorse in hisvoice.

“It’s fine. Maybe it’s worse if we don’t talk abouthim.”

He turns, but there’s a wariness in his expression. “Or maybe it’ll just bring up things neither of us are ready toface.”

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