Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
His eyes went wide, as if I’d just offered him something amazing. “I’d love some. Thank you.”
He took a seat on the stool at the kitchen island, and as I grabbed some eggs, I asked him, “So, what’s on today’s agenda?”
“First, I’m going to harvest every last bit of useable greenery. Dylan’s coming by around ten to pick up whatever’s left. Then I’m going to sweep out the garage. I plan to leave it as pristine as I found it.”
“Would you like some help with any of that?”
I wasn’t sure why I felt disappointed when he said, “No, thanks. I’ve got it.”
When he reappeared at lunchtime, I was sitting at the desk in my home office. I’d gone in there to work on some ideas for my new restaurant, but my mind kept wandering.
He placed a pretty arrangement of greenery and holly on my desk and said, “I found a bunch of vases on the shelves in the garage. I hope it was okay to use them.”
“Yeah, of course. Nothing in there is off limits.” I didn’t tell him they’d come with the flowers I’d received after my dad died. That was just depressing.
“The garage is clean, and I’m done decorating. Here’s your change from the hundred dollars you gave me.” He grinned as he placed five twenty-dollar bills on the desk.
“I know you’re the bargain hunter of the century, but you still spent money. I don’t want it to come out of your pocket.”
“I did spend money—ninety-eight dollars and eighty-six cents, to be exact.” He placed a dollar and fourteen cents next to the twenties as he said that. “But when I was sweeping out the garage, I met Carrie and her wife Toshiko. They live in the house directly across from yours, and they came over to tell me how excited their kids were when they saw the dragon.”
He sat on the edge of my desk and continued, “They also complimented me on the wreath I’d hung on the front door and wanted to know where I got it. When I told them I made it, they commissioned me to make two more, one for them, and one for Carrie’s mom. I thought fifty dollars a piece was a fair price, given what a wreath that big would sell for in a shop, and they were super happy. I just finished making and delivering them.”
He looked a little smug as his grin widened. “So, the total cost of our holiday decorations was zero dollars and zero cents. Go ahead and stick that back in the petty cash envelope.”
“You earned that money. It’s yours.”
He picked up the bills and tried to hand them to me. “I’m the one who wanted some holiday décor, so why should you have to pay for it?”
“I wanted it, too.”
“Just take the money!”
“No.”
He returned the bills to the desktop and started to leave the office, but I grabbed the cash and chased after him. I caught his hand, and he turned back to me and said, “You’re incredibly stubborn, but I’m not going to let you win this argument.”
I couldn’t help but grin. “That’s ironic, coming from the stubbornest person I’ve ever met.” He tried to frown at me, and I said, “Please take the money, Em. You earned it.”
After a moment, he figured out a compromise. “How about if I take it, but I spend it on something for both of us?”
“I can’t control what you do with it.” I held up the money, and he sighed dramatically and plucked it from my hand. I smiled at him and said, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, I guess.”
“Now I owe you the dinner of your choice. So, what’ll it be? Mac and cheese? Homemade pizza?”
He didn’t have to think about it. “Spaghetti empanadas.”
“What is that, exactly?”
“Nice, saucy noodles inside a savory fried turnover, with lots of shredded cheese. Yum!”
“Wow.”
“I know, right? It’s going to be epic.”
“Is this something you’ve had before?”
“No, I’ve only imagined it. But if anyone can make it happen, it’s you.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
We grinned at each other, and then a strange little moment passed between us. We both paused, watching each other while my heartbeat sped up and anticipation crackled around us.
What were we waiting for?
When I realized I was still holding his hand, I let go of him and mumbled, “I’m, um, I’m going to go make us some lunch.” I gestured awkwardly toward the kitchen.
He seemed flustered. “Good idea. I’m going to go… do something until then.”
I nodded, and we hurried off in opposite directions. When I reached the kitchen, I took a deep breath and whispered, “What the hell was that?”
10
Embry
After living with Bryson for two weeks, I felt right at home. We got along great, and we’d fallen into a comfortable routine.
I felt incredibly lucky to have an excellent chef cooking all my meals. He didn’t want me to help, but he let me hang out with him while he worked, which was wonderful. It was like having a front row seat to a world-class cooking show.