Page 90 of Spotlight
“I could eat.”
* * *
Olivia sits on one of the stools, watching me as I move around the kitchen. She hasn’t stopped smiling since I told her I was going to cook instead of order takeout.
“I haven’t had pancakes for dinner in so long,” she says, propping her elbows on the countertop and leaning forward.
“It’s one of five things I can make and the only thing I have all the ingredients for,” I admit. I stop what I’m doing and lean over the counter to kiss her again.
“We could have gone out,” she says when I pull back.
“No way. I finally got you all to myself.”
Her smile grows wider. “What are the other four?”
“Scrambled eggs, omelets?—”
“Are those different?” she asks with a laugh.
“For the sake of my pride, let’s say yes.”
She laughs again. The sound makes my chest tighten and then release. I can’t remember having this much fun hanging out with anyone. It’s easy but somehow still thrilling. Every smile, every laugh, every haughty brow quirk. Every little thing she does is interesting.
“What else?”
“Uhh…” As I beat the batter for the pancakes, I think. “Grilled cheese and spaghetti. Does it count if I buy the marinara sauce?”
“I’d say that still counts.”
“Oh.” I point excitedly. “Mac and cheese. Six things!”
Her lips smush together like she’s fighting off a retort at my cooking abilities. “Greer loves macaroni and cheese.”
“And you?”
“I’m not big on pasta.”
“There goes two of my meals.” I toss a wink at her.
I make way too many pancakes, piling them up on a plate in front of her.
“They smell so good.” She leans forward and inhales.
From the fridge, I pull out butter and syrup, then grab forks and knives. Instead of divvying up the food, we eat off one plate. She giggles as I fit a huge bite into my mouth, then take a much smaller forkful.
“It’s good.” She holds a hand in front of her mouth as she talks.
“Were you afraid it wouldn’t be?”
“It did cross my mind after your whole ‘I can cook five things’ speech.”
“Six,” I remind her.
“What’s your favorite food?” she asks as she cuts another bite of pancakes.
“Pizza probably.”
“Greer and I make pizza almost every week.”
