Page 29 of It Happened Back Then
I roll my eyes, but I’m already reaching for my bag. “Meadow is a storyteller. I’m not even tipsy.”
He slides a steady arm around my waist, guiding me toward the door. “Sure.”
“Have a good night, guys.” Cole’s tone is sarcastic, and when I turn around, I see Meadow making a beeline for him.
“Watch out for tornadoes!” I yell back.
We step into the cool night air, and it hits me how easy it feels just being beside him.
“So where are we going?” I ask as we reach his truck.
“My place. I’m going to give you a cooking lesson.”
I blink up at him. “A cooking lesson? I don’t need to learn when I’ve already got you.”
He opens the passenger door for me, his eyes gleaming. “You’ve already got me, huh?”
I shrug, sliding in and already hating myself for letting the words slip out. “Maybe it’s the other way around. Your cooking lesson sounds an awful lot like a date.”
“Only if you want it to be.” He winks, closing the door.
And as he walks around the front of the truck, I can’t help but smile. Because maybe I am a few drinks away from dancing on a table, but this feels like something even better.
It feels like coming home.
CHAPTER 12 - BLOSSOM
“You know, I’m starting to think this was just a clever trap to get me into your kitchen to clean it,” I say, looking around at the chaos of Bennett’s counter. There are tomatoes, cans of paste and some kind of herb I can’t pronounce. “And is that a YouTube tutorial? I thought you passed culinary school?”
Bennett grins. “If I wanted to trap you, I’d at least clean the place up first. This is an honest attempt to share my culinary genius, plus you need food to absorb that alcohol that almost had you dancing on the bar.” I slap at his chest, and he grabs my hand. “And yes, that video is for you to follow. I know you don’t like taking orders from me.”
I shoot him a look. "And yet, you’re still kind of bossy.”
“I’m the boss, that's what bosses do.” he smirks. “Besides, I know you secretly like it.”
I let out a laugh. “I like to be bossed around?” He shrugs and I know he’s just trying to goad me so I point the wooden spoon I'm holding at him. “I’m onto you.”
Bennett gives me a wink, and leans against the counter, giving of that casual sexy vibe that I always died for. "That!That look! I knew what that look meant before you even thought about giving it."
He laughs at me, the tone so familiar. "Dangerous how well you know me."
I shrug. “Some things you don't forget."
For a moment, the air in the room shifts and if I didn’t know better, I’d think he was flirting with me. But we’ve always done this. This push and pull. Since he’s been back in Bluemoon though, the pull has been tighter. Memories of us have been front and center in my mind and after my declaration to my siblings, have been impossible to ignore. It’s as if I finally gave myself permission to feel again.
I’m glad for the change of pace tonight. Where we usually spend time at my apartment, I like being in his space. And I’m glad he brought me to it. I like this little cabin. He swears he’s looking to move out, but I’ll believe it when I see it.
“Anyway, not sure what you’re going to teach me that I can’t just figure out from that video.” I nod to the tablet on the counter. “If I recall correctly, you burned water once.”
He waves his hand in dismissal at my bad joke. “That was years ago. I’ve grown.”
I hum in response, and he laughs then checks the heat on the pot that's been cooking on the stove. “Okay, know it all. Let’s see what you’ve got. First rule of cooking is confidence. Second rule, ignore the directions.”
I give him a look and then stir the sauce which bubbles the moment I place the spoon in it. “Oh shit. Did I burn it already?”
He laughs, moving behind me and placing his hand on my hip, the slight touch making my heart race. “As long as you keep stirring, it won’t burn.” He grips my hand in his, and we stir together, while his other hand still lingers on my hip.
I shift my stance, brushing his thigh with my ass andwhen I glance behind me, he’s staring at me, not at the sauce. I give a quick smile and look back to the pot.
