Page 107 of Lovestruck at Sundown
“Right!” I laughed. “How could I forget?”
Even with high heels, Naomi was still a tiny, adorable thing. She was wearing a black dress with spaghetti straps and a thigh-high slit that displayed and highlighted her feminine figure. It was simple but elegant. And sexy as hell.
Aaron frowned but didn’t seem to be able to look away. Naomi noticed, and her lips quirked up into a slight smirk.
She ignored Aaron and greeted Lily and Joel, quickly letting them know the paperwork was ready for them to sign. She wasn’tone to shy away from closing a deal.
The three of them sat in the living room and started reviewing the contracts one last time before signing them. Not that their lawyers hadn’t read the whole thing a dozen times, according to Lily. While they did that, I started setting the table.
“Need any help, Miss?” Aaron offered.
“Sure. Thank you.”
We set the table in comfortable silence. I only spoke to tell Aaron what else I needed help with.
William joined us when we were done setting the table. He kissed my cheek as he rushed to the kitchen, leaving a trail of his delicious scent swirling around me. He was wearing dark grey dress pants and a light black sweater. His hair was still damp but perfectly styled, and his gorgeous face was freshly shaved.
“Need any help?” I said, walking over to where he stood in front of the stove, making sure everything he’d cooked was still where he left it a few minutes before.
“Actually, yes.” His phone rang inside his pants pocket before he could tell me what he needed help with, and he pulled it out. “It’s a FaceTime call from Eric.” He grinned at the screen.
William waved for me to come closer to him, and he took the call. Eric and Nathalie appeared on the screen a few seconds later. Eric sang something in Swedish while Nathalie wished us a Happy New Year over Eric’s enthusiastic song. Eric laughed and wished us a Happy New Year as well. It was already midnight in Stockholm.
“Tell him!” Nathalie said, encouraging Eric to speak.
“I was going to wait until I got back to New York!” Eric complained, making an exasperated face.
“Tell me what?” William said with a curious but bright smile.
“Eric got accepted into the Culinary Institute of Americahere in New York!” Nathalie shouted excitedly. “I’m so proud of him. Now tell him why you’re doing it, Eric.”
“Mamma!” Eric laughed, but it was laced with frustration.
“Congratulations!” William replied with a wide-eyed gaze. “I didn’t even know that was a career you wanted to pursue.”
Eric took the phone in his hands, and his face filled the screen. “I’ve had a few beers, okay. And you know I get emotional when I drink,” Eric warned. He took a deep breath. “I remember when I was a kid and dad wasn’t around much. He was always traveling, and you would cook stuff for me. Comfort food. Cookies, pasta, waffles. And I remember how your smile never faded as long as we were in the kitchen.” Eric scrunched his face and looked away like he was going to cry. “Ah, fuck you.” He laughed as he brushed a tear off his face. “I admire you, okay? And for some reason, I’ve always associated food and cooking with happiness. And it’s all thanks to you. So that’s what made me want to become a chef.”
William’s eyes welled up. “I’m so fucking proud of you.” His voice threatened to crack, but he held it together. “You are going to be an amazing chef.”
“Thanks,” Eric replied, nodding. “Now, put Lily and Joel on the phone because I seriously can’t start crying right now.” He laughed. “Gott nytt år!”
William laughed, too. “Gott nytt år.”
“Bye, Eric! Congrats!” I waved him goodbye.
William took the phone to Lily and Joel so they could talk to Eric and returned to the kitchen.
“Are you okay?” I asked William. He seemed moved, and his eyes were still glassy.
“Yeah, of course.” He shook his head and pulled his sleeves up to his elbows. “I’m very happy for him. He’s going to do great.”
“He admires you so much,” I said with a smile,reaching out with my hand to touch his arm. “I’m glad you could be there for him when your dad was away. And that you could inspire him to want to become a chef.”
He smiled back and nodded. “I’ll just have to make sure he doesn’t follow my exact path.” He lifted an eyebrow. “Hewillgraduate.”
“He will,” I assured him. “And so can you if you ever feel like it.”
“Okay!” William clapped once and rubbed his hands together. I wasn’t surprised to see him changing the subject so abruptly. “Let’s get started.”
