Page 111 of First Bride to Fall
He rubbed his chin. “There are some vegetarian baked beans in the cupboard. Would you mind heating those up?”
“Sure.”
“You know what else I’d really love? Deviled eggs.”
“Deviled eggs?” Her voice cracked at the end of the word.Excellent.
He had to bite back a grin. “Do you know how to make them?”
“I think so? I’m sure I can look up a recipe on my phone if things get too…complicated.” She batted her eyelashes, and his heart thumped.
No, Grant. No.
“Great.” By which he meant very muchnotgreat. He dug in his heels. “But try not to break the egg whites when you shell them. I really hate it when they get messy that way.”
“No breaks. Got it.”
She turned to go, but he stopped her. “Uh, Nell?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you think you could cook up some of those crispy tots from the freezer for something hot and crunchy?”
“Absolutely! Hot and crunchy sounds good!” she said with a huge grin.
Really? Why did she have to be so darn agreeable? And that grin…his stomach swooped in response.Get it together, man. She’s playing you.He stared up at the sky and tried to think of something that’d be more of a pain to make.Got it.“You know what I haven’t had in a while?”
“What’s that?”
“A really good mac and cheese.”
Her shoulders sank just a fraction. Good. “Homemade?”
“That would be awesome.”
“Uh,” she said. “You’re talking the lactose-free kind?”
“I bought all the ingredients.”
“Oh nice.” She looked like she was keeping a mental tally of the menu. “Okay then, let me go—”
“Hon?”
She blew out a breath but kept her tone cheerful. “Yes?”
“I know you don’t eat chocolate.” He pressed his palms together. “But I’ve got this desperate craving.”
“For?”
“Brownies.” He shrugged sheepishly. “From scratch. You can use the cocoa powder.”
She twirled a lock of her hair around one finger. “Aren’t we having s’mores later?”
Darn it. She was right. “You probably think I’m beingunreasonable.”
“Unreasonable? No. I just think you’re a big, strapping guy with a big, strapping appetite.” She swung her arm through the air when she said that, and he was glad she wasn’t standing closer. She might have slugged him. “Good thing you go on so many outdoor adventures to keep you fit,” she teased. “Or we might have to rethink those brownies and s’mores on the same night.” She winked, and his neck burned hot.
Wrong response.Wrong. Wrong.Wrong.
