Page 56 of The Heart Shot
“It’s like my Pinterest dream kitchen,” I admitted, and his resulting smile stabbed straight into my heart.
“I’m glad you like it.”
Jameson went to the sink, washed his hands, then pulled a tray out of the oven. A fresh wave of garlic filled the air, and my stomach gurgled in response. I know he must have heard it but, like the gentleman he was, pretended not to.
“Anything I can help with?” I asked, watching him plate up the chicken and potatoes.
“Want to take the rolls out of the oven?”
I nodded, grabbing the striped oven mitts, that perfectly matched the décor, and pulled out the pan of bread.
“There’s a basket on the counter there for the rolls,” Jameson called over his shoulder, and I set to work plopping them inside, wrapping the delicious smelling carbs in the towel. I sighed. Carbs were the way to my heart. Sweet carbs. Bread carbs. Pasta carbs. It didn’t matter. I was no respecter of carbs.
Jameson either talked to Maya to find out what I liked, which wouldn’t have surprised me, or he was a very good guesser.
At this point, I wasn’t quite sure which to put my money on.
Jameson finished scooping heaping portions onto the plates, which I greatly appreciated seeing as my stomach felt like it was eating itself, and I followed him to the table with the basket of bread. My eyes scanned the room, checking to make sure the curtains were closed, so Ben couldn’t see inside. I shook my head, trying to shove my stupid ex from my mind.
The table was a small circle, perfect for the two of us. In the middle, two tall candles were lit with a little bundle of sunflowers between them. A bottle of sparkling wine sat chilling off to the side, and two smaller glasses of water sat next to the empty wine glasses. I felt like I was at a romantic restaurant instead of the middle of a man’s home.
Don’t get attached, Elsie. You’ll be saying goodbye to him sooner than later.
Jameson set the plates down, then circled the table to pull my chair out for me.
Stop swooning! Maintain grumpiness!
Once I sat, he scooched the chair, his hands brushing against my shoulders. How could such a small, insignificant touch light my insides all the way to my toes?
After I was settled, he plopped into his own chair and filled my glass with a bubbly pink liquid.
“I hope you like it,” Jameson said as he gestured for me to dig in.
“It’s garlic, potatoes, and bread. What’s not to like?”
His cheeks bulged with potatoes as he gave a closed-lip smile. It was way too adorable.
You’re killing me, Jameson.
I popped the first bite into my mouth and audibly groaned, bringing a smug smile to his face. The rosemary was perfectly balanced with the garlic, and the potatoes were so tender they literally melted on my tongue. The bread was soft and light and deliciously carb-y, and I was in food heaven.
“Your mom taught you well,” I mumbled around a mouth full of roll before I froze, remembering all the times Ben had scolded me for talking with my mouth full.
I waited for a reprimand, but Jameson smiled. “She’s a good teacher.”
When no scolding came, I swallowed, my shoulders loosening, feeling more at ease on a date for the first time…ever.
“Tell me more about your job,” I said, needing a distraction. “Maya mentioned you recently changed jobs?”
Jameson wiped at his mouth, then took a drink. “Changed locations, yeah. I’m a physical therapist. I used to work twelve-hour shifts at the old place, but thanks to my cousin, I’m now at a new clinic with a much better work-life balance.”
At the words “physical therapist” my eyes went straight to his strong hands, then to his forearms and thick biceps, wondering how good he must be at massaging.
“That’s cool,” I squeaked out, my mind lost in images of his hands on my neck, my shoulders…
I tugged at my sweater. Was it getting hot in here?
Of course, he didn’t miss my gaze flicking to his hands, and I didn’t miss the smirk on his face as a result.
