Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
We make our way inside and take off our coats. Levi feeds Dasher, and I kick off my boots.
“I’m gonna go take a shower,” I tell him.
“Okay. I’ll get dinner started. What are you in the mood for?”
My eyes trail up and down his body, and I drink him in. Are you on the menu I want to ask but instead say, “Surprise me.”
“Will do.”
I go upstairs, strip off my clothes, and get under the hot water. As I wash my hair, I relax under the stream and replay my day with Levi.
His kindness and hospitality is something I don’t deserve but am so damn appreciative for it.
After I’ve finished, I get dressed and make my way downstairs.
Hearty aromas waft through the air and my stomach growls. I enter the kitchen and he looks at me over his shoulder. Dasher is lying on the floor at his feet.
“What did you decide?” I ask.
“I had some salmon in the freezer that my dad caught in Alaska. Serving it with black beans and roasted Brussels sprouts. One hundred percent gluten-free.”
“The beans I’m on board with, but the Brussels sprouts I’ll save for you.” I give him a weary look.
“Have you tried them before?” he asks.
“No. I don’t like the way they look or smell.”
He bursts into laughter. “Sometimes, I have no idea what’s gonna come out of your mouth.”
“They look like little alien veggies when they’re cooked.”
“You’re trying them tonight,” he orders. “But I do have to warn you…your farts might stink.”
Now, I’m laughing. “And you say I’m the unpredictable one! Also, ladies don’t do that.”
He glares at me. “Sure, right, right. If you hate them, I won’t force you to eat them all.”
“I’ll try anything just once.” The words linger in the air, and that’s my rule in and out of the bedroom.
Levi flips the fish.
“Do you enjoy cooking?” I ask.
Levi laughs. “For you I do. But when it comes to myself, I could eat a bowl of cereal and be satisfied.”
My heart flutters at the thought of him doing this for me. “Me too. It’s hard to make food for one person, especially for me. Don’t really like leftovers either.”
Levi’s eyes nearly bug out of his head. “Seriously? Why not?”
“It’s just never been my thing. I’ll eat them only when I’m desperate.”
“Not sure you’d survive living here. My mom makes so much food during the holidays, we’re always sent home with airtight bags full of turkey, ham, and the works.”
“Sorry, but that’s something you’ll never change my mind about.”
“What if you didn’t know it was a leftover, though?”
“Oh, I always know,” I say matter-of-factly. “It tastes different.”
He mischievously chuckles. “Whatever you say.”
“Why are you laughing?”
“No reason,” he singsongs.
I glare at him. “You’ve fed me leftovers, haven’t you?”
“You didn’t even notice! And I didn’t know it was one of your… quirks.”
“It never came up because delivery doesn’t exist here. But if you saw my fridge in Seattle, you’d judge me. It’s where takeout goes to die.”
“Oh, Fallon Joy. What am I gonna do with you?”
I smile wide. “Remember me forever.”
“Don’t have to worry about that, babe. You’re unforgettable.”
The oven timer goes off, and Levi grabs a mitt. Carefully, he slides the tray out, sets it on top of the stovetop, then removes the skillet from the heat. I enjoy watching him plate our meal.
“Wine?” he asks.
“Sure.”
He grabs two glasses and opens the bottle. Once our glasses are filled, he slides into the stool next to me.
“What?” he asks as I look down at my plate.
“I seriously have to eat this?”
“Just one bite.” He laughs. “Try it. You’re almost worse than a kid.”
I playfully smack him, then stab one with my fork. Before placing it in my mouth, I smell it. Then as Levi watches me, I open wide and pop it inside. The outside is crispy, and the inside is squishy, but it tastes…not horrible.
“Well? You didn’t spit it out, so that must be a good sign?”
I pop my lips. “I always swallow the things I put in my mouth, whether good or bad. Not much of a spitter.”
Levi nearly chokes, and I love catching him off guard. I pat his back. “You okay?”
He clears his throat and takes a big gulp of wine. “You’re trying to kill me.”
“These are actually really good. They’re buttery. Not sure why I’ve always refused to give them a chance.” I eat another.
“It’s because you’re stubborn,” he quips.
“No denying that, but somehow you’ve managed to make progress.”
“It’s my jolly nature.” Levi shoots me a wink.
We continue making small talk while we eat. Randomly, I’ll throw Dasher a piece of salmon which he quickly gobbles up.
“Keep doing that, and you’ll never be able to eat in peace again.”
“Like it matters,” I say with a laugh. “You’ve raised a beggar.”
After we’re finished, I offer to clean up, but Levi refuses to let me.