Page 38 of The Truth of Our Secrets

“Maybe a little thinner, but that would be the perfect size for the onion,” I say over my shoulder.

He nods and breaks off a small piece of broccoli. “This size?”

“You’re hired as my sous chef,” I joke.

“Yes.” Emmet punches the air. “My dream come true.” He laughs and my belly warms. It’s so natural until I notice Jayce sitting at the island, his eyes ping-ponging between us.

“Do you want a job too?”

He is a menace in the kitchen, but I don’t want to leave him out.

Jayce’s shoulders relax and he wordlessly comes to my side.

I grab another cutting board and place it next to Emmet. I send positive thoughts out into the universe for these two to find some common ground.

“Emmet, will you show him how to cut the onion?”

“Damn, girl, you want us both cryin’ for you?” He flips the knife in the air and catches it.

“Don’t lose a finger on my watch. Taking either of you to the emergency room would seriously fuck up my plans for the night.” I point my knife at him.

“What plans?” he says with so much innuendo, Jayce’s knuckles turn white, gripping the counter.

“I’m in charge of making edible food and making you cry.” I shrug and dip my head innocently.

His laughter fills the kitchen, and it’s more. It’s as if he’s filling in the gaps in our apartment. In our lives. I’m optimistic Jayce feels it too.

After a long silence, I almost lose a finger when I shift to see Emmet adjusting Jayce’s hold on the knife so his hand covers Jayce’s. I watch Jayce inhale and I know.

Hope bubbles in my chest, and I swallow it back down.

“You okay?” Jayce asks.

“Oh yeah. I just cut a little too close to my finger and I’d like to avoid an urgent care visit.” I cover my face with my hair, hiding my smile.

Emmet smells good to Jayce and the impossible task of bringing them together just got a lot easier.

I’m disappointed when Jayce figures out how to cut the onion and Emmet returns to his own cutting board.

I’ve got the chicken in the wok and Emmet has most of the veggies cut while Jayce mangles the rest.

“What else?” Emmet takes Jayce’s knife as if he’s afraid he’ll keep trying to murder the vegetables.

“Jayce, can you show Emmet the spice rack and I’ll have you guys find the spices? I’m stirring the chicken.”

Emmet knows I’m full of shit, but I want my men working together. I mentally slap myself. My men. The dream appears again. But I’ll settle for friendship and happiness. I think.

Emmet turns finding the spices into a fun game. He sets a timer and challenges Jayce to find them first and declares they need to find the spices faster each time.

Jayce’s competitive side kicks in and they work together in competition.

Goddamn, I want more nights like this. Emmet’s enthusiasm is contagious, and it’s the most fun we’ve ever had in our apartment outside of the bedroom.

Peter sucked the fun out of everything. The aftermath of the relationship devastated Jayce. We’ve been living under a dark cloud, but Emmet lifts it in a single night.

Chapter fifteen

Emmet

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