Page 69 of Stirring Up Love
IfThe Executivesshot down his chef-school idea, then it would feel like a personal condemnation. Better to put his sauce business on the chopping block than a piece of himself.
Her lips twisted into a rueful smile. “Maybe. But if that’s the case, I’m a coward too.”
She unwrapped two mugs from brown paper, and that’s when he realized she’d bought the mugs. Bought the tea. For him.
Not showy, how she cared for other people. He’d missed it because he hadn’t wanted to see the good in her. Hadn’t wanted to admit his role in starting the feud, or in keeping it going all summer.
It suddenly occurred to him how very alike they were. Stubborn. Proud. Determined to make a change in the lives of others. A harder pill to swallow than the ones he’d forced down earlier.
His biggest rival might turn out to be his greatest ally if they could set aside their past. The offer fromThe Executiveswas starting to look less like a punishment and more like kismet. Could they accept a compromise for the sake of the bigger picture?
“It’s a good dream, Finn Rimes.” The laughter was gone from her eyes, replaced with an intensity that made his blood simmer through his veins like the water in the kettle. “No matter what happens, don’t let it go.”
Don’t let it go.Easier said than done, when he couldn’t see a way forward without this deal she was adamant to get out of.
She crouched down to put another log on the fire, jeans molded to her legs. Then she stood and poured boiling water into the mugs. If only he could walk over and wrap his arms around her again. Kiss her neck until she dropped the spoon. Run his hands up over the curve of her hips and ...
He cleared his throat, which turned into an all-out coughing fit.
“Hydrate, Rimes.”
Cheeks flaming hotter than the fever warranted, he leaned over to retrieve the bottle of water. “Did 4-H also teach you how to cook on a wood-burning stove?”
“Boiling water is hardly rocket science,” she said. “But while you were sleeping, I went down a rabbit hole. Found a blog about how you can utilize wood-burning stoves for cooking. The trick is regulating the heat. Not much different than a smoker in that respect.”
“I wouldn’t know.”
The look she shot him from under her brow could’ve melted iron. “You own a barbecue sauce company and you’ve never smoked meat?” She whistled low. “The indecency.”
He laughed. “Maybe you can teach me, when we’re partners.”
“Nice try. You’re not getting your grubby novice hands on my smoker. But I could point you in the direction of a few good YouTube tutorials.”
“Sounds a lot less fun than a personal demonstration.” He grinned.
“Don’t be gross, Finn.” But she was smiling too.
And whatever she said, using what he would’ve only considered a heater to make tea showed how resourceful she was. Everything he’d learned about Simone fed into one image: Capable. Strong. Independent.
All qualities he admired, none of which boded well for his chances of getting her to take the deal.
“Thank you,” he said, a few minutes later, when she passed him the steaming mug. “No one’s ever made me tea when I’m sick.”
“Don’t tell me these things.” She settled in on the end of the bed, tucking one ankle under her knee. “My brittle heart can’t take it.”
“Because I’m pathetic?”
She frowned. “No, because the world is pathetic.”
His heart warmed at her grouchy show of support. “Well, thank you, seriously.”
She poked him with the round edge of her spoon. “Stop thanking me so much. It’s creeping me out. All I did was boil water.”
It was more than that, but he let it be. “Creepy is my specialty.”
“No, it’s not.” Her cheeks shone soft in the fading light. “You’re, like, the least creepy dude on earth.”
“Why do you say that like it’s a bad thing?”
