Page 24 of Winter at Wishington Bay
I gave him a look and took the clothing back.
‘Don’t you have a book to write?’
‘I have writer’s block.’ He shrugged before turning. ‘What’s that beeping noise?’
I finished straightening the room as I answered. ‘The soup maker. I’ll be down in a minute to sort it out. You can heat up the one I brought earlier for your lunch, though,’ I said, glancing at the clock.
‘What about your lunch?’
‘I’ll grab something when I get back home.’
‘It looked like there was quite a lot in that tub.’
‘Enough to keep you going for a few days. Nothing like some warming soup to comfort a body on a chilly day like this.’
‘And what about comforting your body?’
9
My head snapped round and for once it was Nate’s turn to blush. ‘That came out very differently to how it sounded in my head.’
‘I imagine so.’
‘Let me start again. Can I reiterate my request of earlier and ask you to join me for lunch? There’s obviously plenty.’
I took a step down the stairs and glanced back up.
‘There’s really no need for you to do that.’
‘I know. But… I’d really like it if you would. I mean, if you have time of course. Sorry. I didn’t think. You probably have plans. I—’
‘No. I don’t. I just… It was unexpected.’
Nate gave me a glance as we got to the bottom of the stairs. ‘Wow. I really am that bad, huh?’
‘No! Don’t take it like that. I just know you like your peace and quiet and your own company.’
He followed me through to the kitchen and watched as I unplugged the soup maker and removed the lid, releasing a waft of delicious smelling steam into the bright room.
‘That smells good.’
‘It does, rather, doesn’t it? It’s one of my favourite recipes. It’s the same as the one I’ve brought you, so I hope you like it. It’s just so much quicker to make in the soup maker. I must treat myself to one of these at some point,’ I said, as I unplugged the machine and took a couple of empty tubs out ready to decant the steaming liquid into. Beside me, Nate emptied the container I’d brought with me into a pan and began gently heating it through on the hob.
‘I’m sure I will. Everything of yours I’ve had the pleasure of tasting has been amazing. Even if I haven’t been gracious enough to tell you until now.’ He grabbed a second bowl and put it down alongside the one I’d prepared earlier, his eyes meeting mine in a silent question.
‘Are you sure?’ I asked.
‘Very.’
‘Then that would be lovely, thank you.’
And there was that laugh again. Unexpected and rumbling and incredibly sexy. ‘That’s generously polite considering our rocky start.’
I smiled, trying to push the sound of his laughter away from regions it had no business affecting.
‘It’s never too late for a new start.’
‘Do you believe that?’
