Page 107 of At First Smile
“I can see that.”
Today is a far different interaction than the first time I’d met Gillian. The scornful dismissal is replaced by approval and wistful longing, not for me but for someone else.
He stands. “I should go prepare dinner.”
“Can I help?” I ask.
“No,” he says quickly, but not harshly.
Rowan bristles beside me and I press into him, feeling his muscles relax.
Gillian sloshes a long breath. “I mean, no thank you. You’re the guest. You should…”
“Do what she wants and if she wants to help you in the kitchen, so I don’t have to deal with your homespun version ofHell’s Kitchen, then I, for one, am appreciative,” Finn fills in the blank.
Another round of silence stretches as Gillian seems to consider my offer or Finn’s reasoning. I’m not entirely sure why I offer to help. He’s hurt two people I love. Still, the breadcrumbs he’s offered this afternoon hint that he may not be as gruff as he appears.
“Okay,” he says in defeat.
I follow Gillian to the kitchen towards the back of the house. It’s not the red brick farmhouse that they’d lived in before their dad died, which Rowan drove me past before we came here. Fiona moved into the two-bedroom townhouse after Finn bought his house five years ago. By that time, Rowan was on his fourth or fifth new city and Gillian lived with his wife.
“Is this a dish you make at Fiona’s?” I mention his restaurant as I chop a stalk of celery.
Gillian stands at the stove, poking at the pans of ground lamb and beef. The sizzle hisses in my ears and the flavorful scent fills my nostrils.
“It’s an Irish pub, so shepherd’s pie is standard,” he mutters.
“Is it Irish only? I know Axel’s has some Swedish dishes in honor of your dad.”
“Just Irish.” His reply is curt.
Interesting.My stare jumps to him, but his back is toward me.
Focused back on the cutting board, I lift it and use the knife to slide the celery pieces into the bowl. “It’s not open today? Is that why you’re here cooking?”
“It’s open.”
“Finn says you’re a bit of a tyrant in the kitchen.”
“That he does.”
“I think he’s over-exaggerated your tyranny. I’ve been your sous chef for the last twenty minutes and I find you’re less tiger and more pussycat.”
He huffs a laugh.
“Who’s running Fiona’s while you’re here?”
“Layla.”
Oh.I wince.
Rowan may not be as close to Gillian as he is with Finn, but he is aware of Gillian’s complicated marital status. He’s shared that Gillian is staying with Finn because he’s separated from his wife Layla, his partner at the pub.
“I’m sorry,” I say softly.
“So am I.” He sighs. “I see Finn told Rowan.”
“Yep.”
