Page 72 of Never Sleigh Never
When she’s gone, Brie leans back against the counter, arms folded, eyes tracking me as I chop a tomato for the salad. “You know, I kind of wish I’d stayed in here to watch you cook. There’s nothing sexier than a man who knows his way around the kitchen.”
I set the knife down, heart thudding harder than it should. “Next time, I’ll make sure you’ve got a front-row seat. I’ve got more than one famous dish.”
“Oh, so you’re already assuming there’ll be a next time?” she teases, voice lilting.
“I’m hoping,” I counter, stepping closer.
Her teeth catch her bottom lip, and I forget how to breathe.
“You’ve got that look again,” I murmur.
She tilts her head. “What look?”
“The one that makes me believe I need you more than air.” My gaze flicks to her lips. I’m leaning in, seconds away, when the oven timer beeps, interrupting our moment.
Brie’s whisper is amused. Breathless. “Dinner’s done.”
I blow out a laugh, dragging a hand over my face. I’ve never had my willpower tested so many times in one day. “Yeah, it is. Go grab a seat before I lose all self-control.”
“You’re serving me too?” She raises her brows. “Careful, Crawford, I could get used to this.”
“Just one of my many talents.”
“Oh, I’m definitely learning what they all are.”
Josie races back into the kitchen, grabs a chair, and places it right next to Brie. “We made three snowmen today.”
“I saw that. You two were busy.” I set a bowl filled with salad and a plate with hotdish in front of Brie, followed by a plate for Josie.
“It’s a family. One’s me, one’s you, and the other’s Brie.” She digs in like she hasn’t just dropped a bomb.
Brie and I exchange a startled look, then she gives a tiny shrug and a soft smile, rolling with it. At least she’s not high-tailing it out of here.
“This looks amazing. I can’t wait to try it.” Brie shoves a forkful of the chicken and wild rice hotdish into her mouth. Her eyes drift closed and she hums like I’ve just served her a meal from a Michelin Star restaurant instead of hotdish. “Oh yeah. This is so good.”
I bite back a grin, shoulders relaxing. Never in my life did I imagine Brie in my kitchen, eating my cooking, and enjoying it.
Halfway through dinner, Josie launches into jokes. “What does a nosy pepper do?” She bounces in her seat while she waits for us to guess.
Brie and I share a look before shrugging. “I don’t know,” we say in unison.
“It gets jalapeño business!” Josie throws her head back in laughter.
Brie giggles.
“That’s a good one,” I say. “I have one for you. What did the snowman order at the Mexican restaurant?”
“What?” Josie asks.
“A brrr-ito.”
Josie cackles, practically falling out of her chair, while Brie just shakes her head with a smile that makes my chest feel too tight.
“It’s a good one.” I wiggle my eyebrows.
Under the table, I stretch my leg—and my foot bumps into something solid. Brie’s eyes flick up, startled, then soften when she realizes it’s me. A teasing smile curves her lips. I graze her toes with mine, just a brush, but heat flares through me like I’ve touched a live wire. She nudges me back playfully, and a pink blush warms her cheeks.
I clear my throat before Josie notices the electricity crackling between us. “Speaking of snowmen, how’d the rest of the contest go?”
