Page 63 of The Encounter
“Hardly,” Haley said. “We didn’t need a fire extinguisher. That paper towel was about done burning on the stove and nothing near it could have caught fire.”
Jace stared wide-eyed at his two friends before turning to Maddie. “I can’t win with these two.”
She burst out laughing and didn’t stop when tears began rolling down her face. She could picture everything they described in perfect detail and the thought of the three friends attempting to make food only to have it destroyed was hilarious to her.
“Jace, you could have just asked me to cook,” she said when she finally composed herself to three sets of eyes staring at her with little humor on their faces.
“You would have done that?” he asked.
“Of course I would have. I enjoy it and don’t get a lot of opportunities to do it. In New York, it was inconvenient to carry a ton of groceries up to my apartment, so I ate out a lot. It’s been several years since I’ve made Thanksgiving dinner, though. Not since I was here last with my grandmother. But I promise I wouldn’t start any paper towels on fire.”
Jace barked out a laugh, and Seth and Haley grimaced.
“Maybe we can both cook Thanksgiving dinner together next year, if you don’t mind showing me how,” Jace said.
Next year? Her heart warmed at the thought. He looked toward the future with her in it, and butterflies swarmed her stomach. She would love nothing more than to spend it with him.
“That sounds perfect.”
He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips.
“Get a room!” Seth yelled while Haley made gagging noises.
Maddie pulled back and giggled. It wasn’t hard to see why Jace loved hanging out with those two. They were hysterical, and she could easily see the bond between them. She could also picture herself becoming fast friends with them as well.
Jace clapped his hands together. “All right. I’m going to go place the order for the food. Any special requests?”
“Are you buying?” Seth asked.
Jace rolled his eyes, and Maddie stifled a laugh.
“Of course.”
“And you’re ordering from that fancy place down on Lincoln, right?”
“Yes, Seth. What two-hundred dollar bottle of scotch do you want?”
Maddie’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”
Jace winked at her. She knew he could afford it, of course, but he was certainly going all out.
The smile that lit Seth’s face was like a kid in a candy store. “I was only going to ask that you get their chocolate cake, but if you want to spring for some scotch, be my guest!”
“Oh my God! Their chocolate cake is to die for. It’s my favorite,” Haley said.
“I know. That’s why I suggested it.”
Haley paused and gave Seth a look, who only smiled in return. Maddie looked between them. There had to be some history there that she didn’t know, and she was curious to know what.
Jace filled the silence. “Okay, so chocolate cake. Maddie, any requests?”
She shook her head. “No, I’m good.”
He winked at her. “Ice cream to go with the cake. Got it.”
She giggled. “I wouldn’t complain.”
Jace disappeared into the kitchen to make the call in silence. Seth and Haley shared a few glances Maddie couldn’t read, but she almost felt like she was invading on a private moment between them. Just when she considered backing out of the room, Seth turned his gaze on her.
