Page 53 of Slapshot
“The guys were cleaning up,” I admit. “I hope you like spaghetti.”
I pour her a glass of wine. She sips and leans against the countertop. “I do and it actually smells good.”
“Don’t be so surprised. I have many talents.” I crowd her so she’s trapped between me and the counter, place my hands on either side of her, and take her mouth. If I don’t focus, this dinner could turn out with me feasting on her instead. And I promised my girl dinner.
“Tate helped,” I admit as I step back. “But, the garlic bread was all me.”
“You mean you took it out of a bag and put it in the oven?”
“Yep.” I give an exaggerated chef’s kiss that makes her laugh.
We talk while I keep an eye on the food. A few of the guys are in the living room, but they stay out of the kitchen and it’s easy for me to ignore them with Kaitlyn nearby.
“I think these are done,” I say as I test a noodle.
She takes one and throws it against the wall above the stove. “Seems so.”
“What was that?” I ask, pointing to where a single spaghetti noodle sticks to the wall.
“That’s how you can check if spaghetti is done. If it sticks, it’s done. If it doesn’t, then it needs to be cooked longer.”
“Are you pulling my leg?”
“No!” She laughs and her cheeks pink. “It’s true.”
“Dare I ask where you learned this absolutely ludicrous technique?”
“My dad.” She hides behind her wine glass. “Then again, his idea of home cooked was reheating food some assistant or cook had made for us.”
“I’m always sticking my foot in my mouth. I’m sorry.” It seems like no matter how hard I try to avoid conversations about her dad, we end up here.
“You couldn’t have known.”
“You can talk to me. You know that, right? Even if it’s just to get it off your chest.”
“I do. Thank you.”
When it’s clear she’s not ready to get anything off her chest right now, I nod. “All right. Let’s eat.”
I’ve no more than pulled everything together and handed Kaitlyn a plate when Jonah peeks into the kitchen. “What’s that smell?”
“Food that’s not for you,” I tell him as I lead Kaitlyn into the dining room. I found some candles and a mostly-not-stained tablecloth to set the mood.
She swirls the noodles around a fork and dips her head close to her plate to take a bite. I swear this girl makes the most ridiculous things look sexy.
“This is really good, Lex.”
I take a big bite out of the garlic bread and nod my agreement.
Whispering in the kitchen gets my attention and I lean back in my chair to see the twins staring at the food on the stovetop.
“Can I help you?” I ask, mouth partially full so it comes out a little mumbled.
“Just wondering if you’re going to eat all of this,” Pax says.
“Yes,” I say at the same time Kaitlyn says, “No way. He made way too much.”
They listen to her and ignore me. Figures. They fill their plates with huge portions and stand in the kitchen shoveling it into their mouths.
