Page 57 of Obsessive Love

“Yes,” I covered my mouth and answered.

He nodded, then went back to eating. I tried to move my chair back, but Pyrite kept his hand on the leg the entire time he ate, so that I couldn’t move. When we finished, he let go of my chair, pushed back from the table, stood, and took our plates to the sink.

“I’ll clean up,” I said when he rinsed the plates.

“I got it,” he said, shaking his head. “You cooked; I’ll clean this up, then get out of your way. KO should be pulling up. She won’t be late.”

I watched Pyrite as he washed the plates, silverware, and the pans I used to make our breakfast. The entire time the muscles in his back flexed, I wanted to rub my hands up and down them.

When he was done, he wiped down the counters, kissed the top of my head, and then left the kitchen. I sat there, waitingand confused about what I was feeling. I wasn’t supposed to like Pyrite, let alone be attracted to him, but I was when he wasn’t doing the crazy shit.

The doorbell rang as I was preheating the oven, and I looked up to see Pyrite walk in with KO and another woman.

“Hey,” I greeted them.

“Fable, this is Sunday Rollins, she’s a photographer,” Pyrite said. I wiped my hand on a towel, then rounded the island.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I said, shaking her hand.

“You, too,” Sunday said. “I hope I’m not interrupting, but I was talking to Pyrite yesterday, and he mentioned that you were doing this, and I couldn’t help but ask him if it was okay if I tagged along.”

“Sunday usually works for the W or NBA, taking pictures at games and other stuff, but sometimes she does freelance jobs. I talked to her about you doing this for every team at Stone Arena, and we agreed that a few behind-the-scenes pictures would help with the promotion.”

“Okay,” I said, nodding. “I’m down.”

“Great,” Sunday said, laughing. “I was afraid you would say no.”

“Not at all.” I waved her off. “The more press, the better.”

“Okay, so I talked to KO about it on the way here. I want to keep everything as natural as possible. I’ll let y’all do whatever y’all do and take pictures. I don’t want you to pose or acknowledge that I’m here.” She set her bag on the table and started pulling out her equipment. “Is that okay?”

“Yes,” I answered, then turned to KO. “You ready?”

“To taste test and give my opinion? Absolutely.”

“Alright, then, let's start.”

“I’m going to shower, then I have an errand to run. I’ll leave y'all alone,” Pyrite said. He was scratching hard at his arm and rubbing his eyes. “Shit, my allergies are kicking my ass.”

“Later, Pyrite,” they said and waved.

“Bye,” I said, turning around quickly so he wouldn’t see me holding back my laughter. I didn’t even feel bad for his minor inconvenience or itching the way he was.

“Alright, so let’s get started,” KO announced once he was gone. “You figure out the cookies?”

I went to the fridge and pulled out the different samples I’d prepared this morning while making breakfast. “Yep, plus a few more that we didn’t discuss.” I set the tray on the counter. “Whatever you don’t pick but like the taste of, you can take home.”

“Ki will love that,” KO replied.

“Who’s Ki?”

“My daughter,” she answered. “She’s three and swears she’s the boss.” KO leaned against the counter. “Do you have any kids?”

“No,” I answered with a shake of my head. “But I love kids; next time we meet, bring her.”

“Deal, but she’s not staying all day. She has school.”

“She’s in pre-k?”

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