Page 75 of Red Marked

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I lift the lid and steam rolls up. The sauce has thickened the way I wanted it to, and the whole apartment smells great. At least, I think it does. I forgot how good garlic is. I give the Bolognese sauce a stir.

It’s nothing fancy. I found a pack of ground beef in the freezer and a couple of cans of tomatoes in the cabinet. Turns out that Flint had all the spices I needed. I’ll cook the pasta when Flint gets home. He even has a small block of Parmesan cheese in the door of the refrigerator.

I put the lid back on and return to the sofa. There’s some reality show on TV. I pick up the remote and change the channel. A male in a suit points at a map covered in swirling arrows. The weather channel. I change it again. Then it’s a cooking competition.

My knee is bouncing, so I press my hand flat on it to make it stop.

What is wrong with me?

I get up and go to the table to check the setting. It’s all good, right down to the salt and pepper in the middle.

Then I second-guess setting it in the first place.

Maybe he’ll walk in, see the plates laid out like this and think… Who knows?

Screw it.

I’m leaving it.

I go back to the sofa and sit, looking at the television without watching it.

I realize I’m nervous. Flint will be home soon. I know that he will find that everything I’ve said is the truth, but will he help me?

What is this plan of his?

The lock turns.

Crap!

He’s home.

I’m on my feet before the door opens, and then Flint is inside with a bag hanging from one hand. He pushes the door shut with his heel and locks it.

“Hey,” he says.

“Hi.” My voice comes out fine.

Good.

His eyes are…tired. A little bloodshot.

“How was your day, honey?” I joke. I give him a smile when he looks at me with amusement in his eyes.

“Very funny.” He holds out the bag. “Rift sent these. Don’t get too excited. She’s not as tall as you.” He shrugs. “There’s a pair of shorts and a tank top. A dress or two. Some flip-flops…and one or two other things she thought you might need. The rest is as promised, some basic toiletries. I couldn’t take too much or anything feminine.”

I take the bag and look inside. “Thanks so much. I hope you told her for me.”

He nods. “I did.” He looks toward the stove. “It smells good in here.”

“I cooked dinner.” I put the bag on the sofa. “It’s not much. Pasta and a sauce. I used the ground beef from the freezer. I hope that’s okay. I still need to make the pasta. I didn’t want it to get soggy.” It’s too much detail. I’m still feeling nervous. I had hoped I’d feel better once he got here.

I don’t.

“It’s perfect. Smells great.” He rubs the back of his neck. His eyes move to the set table. Then he looks at me. “I looked into everything today.”

Here it comes.