Page 40 of Real Good Love
“You know I don’t mind.” I say the words, but a warmth pools in the vicinity of my heart.She learned to cook for me.
“I wanted to.” Banner glances at the bubbling skillet behind her. “I can’t promise the results are going to be terribly impressive. It’s just spaghetti and meatballs. But I did make the meatballs from scratch.”
“It smells fucking amazing, and I’m sure it’ll taste the same way. I’m really impressed, babe.”
Her eyes widen. “Don’t jinx it. I haven’t started a single fire or burned anything, so just hold off for a minute.” A timer dings on the counter, and she spins around. “That’s the pasta.”
I step toward her. “Let me drain it for you.”
“I wanted to have it all ready as a surprise.”
I meet her gaze. “You already did. Besides, we’re a team. Let me help.”
Banner’s smile grows bigger as she steps aside to let me grab the pasta pot off the stove. The colander is already on the kitchen counter, so I make quick work of the process while Banner pulls the garlic bread out of the oven and sets it on the table, followed by the meatballs and sauce. It’s a simple meal, but it means a hell of a lot to me that she went to the trouble to learn to make it.
This woman, the one I thought I wouldn’t have a damned thing in common with, has proven she fits into my life better than I could have imagined.
We both sit down, a beer in front of my plate and a glass of red wine in front of Banner’s.
“I might’ve already had one or two glasses, but I actually think it helped me chill out and not screw everything up.”
She holds her breath while I take my first bite. I chew and give the verdict as soon as I swallow.
“It’s amazing.”
The pride on her face is obvious as she tries it for herself. “Damn, I did a good job. I think it even tastes delicious.”
“Told you.”
We both dig in, and Banner waits until I push my plate away after seconds to bring up the subject I figured would come sooner. “Are you going to tell me more about what happened with your upholstery lady?”
“It’s my problem to work out, and I will.”
“But I caused it.”
I shake my head as I finish off my beer. “Tricia caused it, not you. You didn’t throw the first punch.”
“You know what I mean. I should’ve kept my mouth shut. How was I supposed to know she had an inbred brother? I thought I was making a ridiculous generalized insult. I can’t get over how insane it is that she actually has one.”
I lower my beer to the table with a laugh. “They’re pretty touchy about it. The story goes that her mama didn’t know his daddy was her uncle, but there are plenty of people in this town that dispute it. The story will never die, I swear.”
“And I thought New York was crazy.”
“It’s got nothing on a small town, but let’s talk about something else. I’ve been beating this to death today, and I could really use a distraction.”
“I think I can handle that.” Banner stands and turns to open the fridge, which is right behind her chair in the small kitchen. “How about some dessert?”
She pulls out a can of whipped cream and a bottle of chocolate syrup.
“And by dessert, I mean me.”
Chapter 21
Banner
These sheets may never be the same, but I couldn’t care less when Logan’s head is between my legs and my back arches as I come for the second time.
“Oh. My. God.”
