Page 62 of Trials of a One Night Stand
He tosses a stuffed animal for Dodge, who is more interested in playing than eating his dinner. “With your nausea, I wanted to make sure something agreed with you.”
“It all looks great.” I inhale.
“Does it smell okay?”
I nod, secretly pleased he knows that scents usually send me running to the nearest toilet or garbage can. “I’m most affected during the day for some reason.”
“That’s good. Well, not good,” he amends. “I’m just glad you’re not nauseous twenty-four seven.”
“Me too.” I glance at the dog. “He needs to eat so we can, too.”
“Go eat dinner, Dodge.” Surprisingly, the dog trots to his bowl in the kitchen. Nate grabs a plate. “What would you like?”
“A little of everything unless there’s mushrooms.” I make a face. “I’m not a fan.”
“Mushrooms are healthy for you.”
“They’re spongy and taste like dirt.”
“You haven’t been eating the right kind of mushrooms, but that’s something we can rectify another day.” He carefully picks out the mushrooms from one of the entrées, places them on the other plate, and then goes through it again. “No more mushrooms in this one.”
My heart melts. No one has ever done something like that for me. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“More mushrooms for me,” he jokes.
He may think what he did isn’t a big deal, but it is to me. “Enjoy them, and thanks.”
He dishes more food onto my plate and hands it over. I’m surprised food isn’t falling off it, given how much has been loaded on it. There are even brightly colored steamed vegetables. “Eat up. Don’t want your blood sugar to get too low.”
I hold my plate, but I don’t pick up a fork. “I can wait for you.”
“Don’t. I’ll only take a minute to grab mine.”
As if on cue, my stomach growls.
He laughs. “Even your body agrees with me.”
I take a bite. “This is so good.”
“Eat up.”
And I do. I didn’t realize just how hungry I was until I swallowed the first bite. Forks clink against the plates, and the silence is comfortable. Even Dodge is calmer when he returns to the living room after eating. The dog plops next to Nate’s feet.
I swallow what’s in my mouth. “You have a new friend.”
“Looks like he’s a good one to have. I wonder if he’d get along with Buttercup.”
I remember how possessive the sugar glider was of Nate. “She might not want to share you.”
“True.”
Soon, my plate is empty. “I can’t believe I ate everything.”
“It’s good you have an appetite after being so nauseous. Don’t forget, you’re eating for two.”
“Except now I’m so full.”
Nate winks. “Not too full to move I hope.”
