Page 24 of The House Guest
I sniffed the air. “Apple pie?”
“Apple crisp.”
My mouth went agape. “Dorian Vanderbilt baking apple crisp was certainly not on my bingo card this week.”
“Don’t get too excited. It’s the one thing I actually know how to make. My mother’s recipe. When I was little, she used to have me help her make it after we went apple picking. I never forgot the steps.”
“Well, if you’re only gonna know how to make one thing, apple crisp is a pretty damn good choice.”
“I can agree with that,” he said as he rummaged through the drawers.
“When you said dessert, I was expecting you to maybe pick up some Krispy Kreme donuts. I’m impressed that you took the time to make something.”
“Well, consider it my official apology for putting you through the wrath of my miserable date.”
“What was her name? You never introduced me,” I teased. “How rude.”
“That’s because I knew from the moment I met her that I wouldn’t be seeing her again. But her name was Eve.”
“You said baking apple crisp was an apology for her. But, um, wasn’t that enormous tip you left me enough?”
“No, it wasn’t.” Dorian grabbed a mitt and opened the oven to pull out the baking dish. The bubbling crisp looked just as amazing as it smelled. “It’s going to have to cool off for a bit. Maybe we go pick out a movie and come back for it.”
“Actually, I’d like to go upstairs and change real quick. Why don’t you pick the movie while I do that? You seem to know my taste.”
He removed the oven mitt. “Okay.”
As I headed upstairs, butterflies swarmed in my stomach. I had no evidence that this was anything more than two roommates hanging out, yet I couldn’t help how I felt. An attractive man with whom I felt intense chemistry had just baked for me, and we were getting ready to watch a movie together. I couldn’t remember the last timeanything had made me feel so giddy. It was pretty pathetic that some of the best “dates” I’d ever had were spur-of-the-moment encounters with Dorian Vanderbilt.
After taking off my work clothes, I slipped on a crop top I’d been dying all night to wear in front of Dorian and a pair of lounge pants. Normally I would’ve showered, but I didn’t want the dessert to be cold by the time I returned. I fluffed my long brown hair in the mirror. My caramel highlights were fading to more of a blonde, but I kind of liked the contrast, even if it meant I was overdue for a touch-up at the salon.
When I got downstairs, Dorian was back in the kitchen.
“I set up the theater. Looks like this is cool enough, too.” He served generous portions of the apple crisp onto two plates and handed me one with a fork.
I sniffed. “This looks and smells amazing.”
“Well, don’t judge it until you taste it.”
“I never do.” My cheeks burned as I realized how that sounded.
“Okay, then.” His eyes fell to my midriff. “Interesting choice of crop top. That can’t be a coincidence.”
My shirt read:Allergic to Stupid.
“In honor of your annoying date. I couldn’t wait to get home and put it on.”
“That’s awesome and timely.”
We walked our plates of apple crisp down to the theater and each took a seat.
“What movie did you choose?”
“I didn’t yet. Couldn’t decide. We need to discuss it.”
I dug into the dessert. My tongue tingled at the sweet combination of apples and cinnamon, complemented by a hint of salty butter. “This is delicious.”
“I’m happy you like it.”
