Page 29 of Throw Away the Key
“I get that.” Emma accepted a mug of coffee from across the island and took a sip, sighing contentedly. Sadie perked up at the sound and rounded the counter to cup Emma’s face, planting a soft kiss on her lips. “Mmm, good morning indeed,” Emma murmured. “Thank you, this is exactly how I like it.”
“The coffee, or…” Sadie teased.
Emma sputtered. “I can’t say that with reference to last night. That was… beyond anything I’ve experienced before. I think I even dreamed about it.”
Sadie hummed, brushing her lips against Emma’s once more before returning to her cooking. “I think you did too. You may have moaned in your sleep once or twice.”
Emma groaned. “Are you serious?”
Sadie nodded, a sly smile spreading across her face. “It was cute though. Not to mention an excellent boost to my ego.”
Emma shook her head and sipped her coffee. “I guess,” she laughed. “So what's on the menu?” She asked as Sadie began to beat some eggs.
“Well, bacon, obviously,” she gestured to the frying pan. “And I'm gonna make cheese omelets next. I've already sliced up some fruit.”
“Wow, it's like a whole gourmet meal. This is amazing,” Emma sat on a stool facing the counter. “I feel like I could get used to this.” Her eyes widened as she said it.Shit.“I didn't mean that in a way where I'd pressure you. I'm so sorry.”
Sadie smiled. “It's okay. You're fine.” She poured half of the egg mixture into the pan, swirling it around, pushing at the edges with a spatula. She allowed for it to set more before she sprinkled in some grated cheese. “I could see this not being a single occurrence. Obviously last night was amazing for me too–I don’t do this for just anybody, Em.”
Emma’s face warmed.She’s thinking about it too. Maybe we have a real chance?“I feel like I'm watching a cooking demonstration. This is so cool. I've never tried–or, really, I've never attempted–omelets. I feel like my scrambled eggs don't even turn out the way I want them to,” Emma laughed. “Less fluffy and more flat. But this is incredible. Who taught you to make these?”
Sadie shrugged. “I picked up a lot from my grandmother and then in college I dated a girl in culinary school.”
“That must have been fun.”
“The food was good, but it was never going to last,” Sadie chuckled and shook her head thoughtfully. She waved around the silicone spatula.
“I want to take a cooking class or something.” Emma rested her elbows on the island counter, watching with interest while Sadie moved the eggs around in the pan.
“Well, from what I hear, you make a mean roasted chicken.”
She set down her mug. “Who told you that?”
“Ms. Marion may have mentioned it in passing.”
Emma shook her head ruefully. “She is so stealth,” she laughed.
“So, what are you up to today?”
“Uh, I have to get to the bookstore in about an hour or so, but I'm off tomorrow and haven’t made any plans yet.”
Sadie plated the omelet and started another one. She set a finished plate in front of Emma with a fork, the fruit and eggs arranged perfectly for a social media-worthy post.
“Okay, presentation!” Emma admired Sadie’s work down to the fresh herbs she’d sprinkled for garnish. “This is stunning.”
“Eat. I'll be joining you in a second.”
“No, no, I'll wait. It’s totally fine.”
“But I don't want your food to get cold!” she insisted.
Emma’s shoulders slumped. “Okay, well, I'll take a bite.”
Sadie waited, watching Emma as she sliced a piece of the omelet with her fork, gently placing it on her tongue.
Emma’s eyes closed and she hummed. “This is perfect,” she sang as she chewed. “So good, really.”
Sadie nodded. “Good, I'm glad. So, tell me something about yourself that I wouldn't know,” Sadie requested as she finished making her omelet.
