Page 104 of Holiday Star
“I want you to know how much I appreciate it,” Caleb continues. “That you aren’t disgusted or ashamed of me. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met.”
“Me?” My eyebrows raise to my hairline. I’ve never thought of myself that way before, as strong.
“Yes, you. Everything you went through with your dad. All the suffering you see at the hospital.” He lets out a low, shaky breath. “All the shit I put you through, and yet, you don’t give up on any of us, humanity or me. I told you before, you don’t give up even when things get hard. There are a lot of qualities I like about you, but that’s one of the biggest. I’ve never met anyone who’s more brave.”
Huh. Brave.Perhaps I should add that to my list.Dependable, predictable…and brave.
Those aren’t bad things to be.
68
Caleb pushes up from his chair.
“Where are you going?” I ask, surprised by his sudden movement.
A corner of his mouth lifts into a smirk. “You didn’t think I would let just anyone cook your dinner, did you?”
“You’re making my food?” I was already excited to eat at this restaurant, but knowing that Caleb will be my chef heightens my anticipation to a fever pitch.
“Can I come with you?” I place my napkin on the table and stand.
“Don’t you want to stay here? Relax and enjoy the view?” He motions to the panoramic scene from the balcony.
“You’remy favorite view.”
Caleb’s eyes soften as he takes my hand and draws me close. A searing kiss sends tingles throughout my body. It goes on until my toes curl in my high heels.
“I love you,” he murmurs against my mouth.
“Love you back.” It’s the first time I’ve said it since our breakup. I expect it to feel awkward or forced, but it doesn’t. Those words coming from my lips are as natural as breathing.
I love him.
I never stopped loving him.
I’ll always love him.
Leading me by my hand, Caleb takes me to the back of the restaurant, where the kitchen lies behind a swinging metal door. It’s massive, full of shining stainless steel appliances, some of which I don’t recognize. Other appliances I’ve seen before, but they look like giant versions of the ones that are on my countertop at home. There’s a mixer that is identical to mine, except that it sits on the floor and comes up to the top of my chest. You could make twenty cakes inside that thing.
A long-haired Asian man enters the room, his face breaking into a wide grin when he sees Caleb. “You made it!” He embraces Caleb, giving him a firm slap on the back.
“Gwen, this is Nick. He owns the restaurant.”
I try to shake hands, but Nick goes in for a full body hug. “Caleb’s told me so much about you. Great to finally meet you.”
After we exchange pleasantries, Nick peers over Caleb’s shoulder. “What are you making?”
“I’m thinking of a steak with a white wine reduction. Some bearnaise sauce on the side. Scalloped potatoes and asparagus.” Pots and pans are taken from a drawer next to the oven, clattering as Caleb places them on the counter. He glances back at me. “Sound okay to you, Gwen?”
On cue, my stomach grumbles so loudly that it makes us all laugh. “I think that’s a yes.” Still laughing, my hand flies up to cover my complaining belly.
“Well, I’ll let you get to it,” Nick says. He and Caleb fist bump, then Nick hugs me lightly. A quick wave, and he takes off.
Caleb has all the ingredients laid out on the table behind him. He points out what he needs, and I bring it over. Soon, pots are bubbling, and the most tantalizing smells fill the room. I breathe it in—rosemary, garlic, a hint of oregano.
Caleb’s taken off his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves while he works. I’m entranced by the way his muscular forearms ripple with each practiced chop and stir.
He dips the frying pan into the fire of the stovetop, and the pan lights with a burst of flames. “Oh!” I cry out, squeezing my eyelids shut as the heat blasts against my face. With a bit of flare, Caleb clangs a lid on top of the pan, extinguishing the fire. His eyes dance with amusement. “Prettyfancymethod to sear the steak, wouldn’t you say?”
