Page 27 of Aftersome
This kitchen was the size of my whole house. Probably cost more than it too.
“This is where I do all my cooking.” She released her grip on my hand and circled around the center island. “Well, where I try to do it anyway.”
Smiling, I was then reminded why we will always be best friends.
“Don’t listen to her, Wren. She’s a great cook.” James entered from behind us and gave her a cheeky grin.
Kate’s cheeks instantly went red.
“Don’t try to butter me up, Hendricks. You know those meatballs last night were complete shit.”
His laughter, along with mine, echoed throughout the kitchen and a quick kiss to her cheek soothed the flushness from her face.
“They were not shit, they just had a certain flavor I wasn’t expecting.” He then gently tucked some brown curls behind her ear. “I love your cooking and willingness to try new things.”
God.
He really was sweet as fuck toward her.
“And I love your willingness to eat my crap food.”
Their eyes were locked together, exchanging what I could only assume to be sentiments of love and adoration for one another. It was plain to see just how gone they were and for a moment, I think they may have forgotten I was there.
Standing awkwardly in the background with my hands in my pockets, I quietly coughed, causing their moment of intimacy to end.
“Shit, I’m sorry. I get easily distracted when he’s around.” Kate gave James a light shove on the chest and waddled her way over to me.
“I can tell.” I chuckled while peering over her shoulder at a lovestruck James whose eyes were tracking Kate’s every move.
God, I forgot what that felt like.
To have someone look at you with that intensity.
“Babe, I’m going to show her around the house. Can you bring in the rest of her bags?”
“Oh, you don’t have—”
“Don’t worry about it, Wren,” he quickly interrupted with a soft smile across his face. “I’ll bring ’em up to your room while Kate is giving you the tour.”
“Thank you,” Kate and I responded in unison as he disappeared down the hall.
She then took me through every room—including the dining room, master bedroom, soon-to-be baby room—and it took a good half hour. When she was finally finished, she took me down a hallway until we stopped at the second door on right.
“Well, here’s your room.” She swung open the ivory door, revealing the coziest-looking room I’ve ever seen in my life. A soft sandy color coated all four walls while directly in the center of the room held a bed that appeared twice the size of mine. Perhaps it was the cloud-like comforter that covered the top of it, making it look like a giant square pillow that I desperately wanted to fall onto.
Taking a step inside, I let my eyes take everything in.
“Wow, Kate. This is beautiful. Thank you for letting me stay here.” I spun around and found her sitting on the edge of the bed with her hands clasped together and in her lap.
“Of course. You can stay as long as you need to.”
My heart swelled even though I felt unsure of this entire new journey. Because, let’s be honest, nothing about this was going to be easy.
Not in the least.
“Hopefully not too long.” I sighed and went to take the spot next to her on the bed. For a minute we just sat there. Waves of unsureness washed over me and Kate could instantly sense it.
“Nervous?” she asked.
