Page 114 of Booked on You
“Understandable. Nothing to worry about, babe.”
“Yet.” Scarlett smiles, and her shoulders relax.
“Nah, we did it. We didn’t give anyone power over us.”
We put on our clothes, and I lead her into the kitchen. Her anxiety fades the moment our fingers intertwine.
Sunlight spills onto the counters as I flick on the kitchen lights. Willow runs to her food bowl, like she didn’t eat yesterday, but she did, four times. I put kibble down, then pass Scarlett two ibuprofen with a glass of water.
“Coffee is coming right up. Extra strong,” I say with a wink. I push the button, then start working on our breakfast. I heat a cast-iron skillet and place bacon in the bottom. It instantly sizzles.
Scarlett leans against the counter with her ankles crossed and watches me move around the kitchen. I slice a fresh avocado as the bacon fries.
“You don’t have to do this,” Scarlett says.
I glance over at her, catching her staring.
This beautiful woman is in my kitchen, looking at me like I’m her everything. I will be if she lets me.
“Let me spoil you,” I say.
I’m not asking, and she knows that.
“Okay.” She smiles, and my heart somersaults.
The coffee finishes brewing, and I pour her a cup. She blows on it, and steam rises around her face.
I flip the bacon. “What’s on your schedule today?”
“Nothing other than finishing my book. If I push myself today and tomorrow, I’ll writeThe End. I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
“The first three chapters were great.” I grab a few eggs and butter, warming up another skillet.
“You’re not just saying that to be nice?” she asks, almost like she doesn’t believe me.
“If it sucked, I’d tell you. It wasincredible. I can’t help but wonder what Jordan will do next.”
She chews on her lip, and I find it so damn sexy. “He falls in love. He and Helena get their happily ever after. Spoiler alert, that’s how every romance book ends.”
“Right. But I’m more interested in the journey to forever. I want to know Helena’s heart. What makes her tick. I want to know Jordan’s deepest thoughts and how it felt to fall for Helena. I’m invested.”
She tries to hold back her grin. “When I send the first draft to my editor, I’ll send it to you, too.”
“You promise?” Our eyes meet.
“Absolutely. I trust you.”
“Good. I trust you, too,” I admit, feeling ooey-gooey inside, like I’m made of one of Aunt Millie’s famous chocolate chip cookies.
I load the bacon onto a paper towel-lined plate, then spread the avocado on some sourdough. I fry several eggs.
She sighs. “We should probably FaceTime my parents.”
An encouraging grin touches my lips. “You’re calling the shots.”
“Maybe we’ll get lucky, and they haven’t heard the news yet. I should warn you about something.” She swallows hard.
“Anything.” I fix our plates, then carry them to the table, where she follows me.
