Page 38 of Unraveling Rain
“Attaboy,” she says, placing two steaks on the grill. The sizzling sound of the meat touching the hot griddle makes my stomach rumble.
“Don’t worry. I’ll feed you soon.”
I look at her with wide eyes, and she blows a piece of hair off her face.
“Don’t get too excited. I’m not offeringthatkind of feeding.”
I shoot her a cocky grin, and she swats the grill tongs at me.
“Cut it out. There’s no way anything is happening between us,” she says, flipping the steaks and looking around for something.
“Why don’t you cut the cornbread and bring the salad to the table?”
I start for the van, calling over my shoulder, “Don’t think this conversation is over. I don’t give up that easily.”
I hear her laugh as I step inside the van and grab what she asked for.
Rain plates the steaks, and after she passes me one, I add a mountain of salad to my plate.
“This smells great. Thank you, Cherry,” I say absentmindedly.
Her hand, holding a spoonful of salad, freezes midair.
“What?” I ask with a chuckle, waiting for her to serve her food.
“What did you call me?” she asks, her tone curious.
“Cherry.”
She raises an eyebrow.
“Your hair is cherry red under the sun. You’re sweet but have a tough exterior—you’re like a cherry.”
She shakes her head as she scoops a mouthful of salad.
“No? I think you’re a cherry. A wild one at that.”
She laughs and nearly chokes on her food, rushing to take a sip of her water.
“Now you’re talking, Hotshot,” she singsongs.
I grin. “I like this,” I say, gesturing between us with my fork.
She looks at me, smiling, but doesn’t say a word.
“I like bantering with you,” I add.
She huffs. “Yeah, you’re not too bad to spend time with yourself,” she says in a disinterested tone, adding a shrug for good measure.
“Nah, you like being with me and you know it. When was the last time you had this much fun with someone who wasn’t related to you?”
She lowers her gaze, and I know I got her.
She chews slowly without looking at me, and after a couple of beats, I start panicking.
Was I too harsh?
She hasn’t mentioned any friends—only family.
