Page 20 of Hot Hearts
“I still am confused about why he would cheat on you. If he loved you, he would wait until you were ready.” What a pathetic human.
“Can we not talk about this anymore? It’s humiliating to me.” Slater throws her arm over her eyes as if by blocking her vision, she can push away all the bad things.
I stroke her head until she sighs and lowers her arm. “Are you hungry?” I ask. Food is my comfort and the kitchen my refuge. Among the produce and meat, the knives and iron pans, there is magic and healing. I will make Slater something that will ease her pain.
“I could eat,” she admits. I help her to her feet and guide her to a stool.
“People pay thousands to watch me cook. You are getting a free show.”
“My mom did squeal a little when I told her I was staying at your place.”
“Did you also tell her we are getting married?” I already know the answer, but disappointment still pinches the back of my neck at her quick “no.”
“I don’t want to confuse her,” Slater adds.
“It’ll be more confusing when you present me as your husband. She would probably want to be there when we say our vows in front of the officiant, so you should tell her soon. And the baby? Did you share that?”
Slater purses her lips but doesn’t reply. Instead, she watches. I pull out bread from the bakery down the street and slice thick pieces. Eggs are cracked, butter is melted. Ham is set to caramelize in the pan. Cooking is a performance, but this is the first time I’ve cared what the audience thinks.
Before, I always felt confident that any dish I made would please the diner. With Slater, though, I don’t just want to feed her; I want to nourish her. I want her to be warmed by the mealfrom the inside out so that when she sits down at the table in the future, her body will remember the food she ate and she will always, always return to me.
Chapter Thirteen
SLATER
I’m trying to not let this situation with Felipe bother me, but it is. It took me a long time to gain an online following, and it sucks that it’s being tarnished because of lies. I have to admit that Brooks is being super sweet, and I know I’m being a bit of a jerk.
I did my best last night to eat his dinner, which was amazing. I’d gone to take a picture of it because he even plated it beautifully but then remembered I couldn’t share it. I hate how out of control I feel in all of this.
Brooks got me to forget for a little while when he made love to me twice after dinner. That man is seriously addictive. He touches me, and all rational thought leaves my mind. There is only him and me and this crazy passion we fall into together. It’s all-consuming.
“How’s your stomach?” Brooks sits down on the side of the bed, brushing hair out of my face.
“It’s good today.” I rest my hand on my stomach. No bump has formed yet. Brooks puts his hand over mine.
“What can I get you?”
“I’m going to lie in this bed and watch reality TV and forget about everything else.”
“What are we watching?” He stands, grabbing a tablet from his side of the bed. Holy crap, we both have sides of the bed. Brooks taps away on it, and of course a television comes down from the ceiling.
“I'll binge Bravo, and then I might watch some Chef Ray.”
“Chef Ray?” The question comes out like an accusation.
“Maybe.” I shrug.
“Why would you watch him? He’s terrible. He can’t make a proper risotto to save his life.”
“His Wellingtons always look yummy.”
“Because you only see it through the television. That’s why he has so many damn shows because he can’t get a Michelin star for his restaurants to save his damn life.” Brooks starts to get heated. “I’ll make you a Wellington tonight. You don’t need Chef Ray.” I bite the inside of my cheek. “Maybe you should read a book instead.” He looks so damn adorable when he gets heated.
“Really?” I try to keep my face passive.
“And who is this Bravo? I’ve never heard of them either. Must not be a very good chef.” I burst into laughter, unable to hold it back any longer. Brooks only stares at me with a pout on his handsome face. I didn’t know Brooks could pout, which only makes me laugh harder. “I don’t see what is so funny.”
“Bravo is a television network; it’s all reality shows likeHousewivesand people arguing.”
