Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Gio and Jace come into view, hands filled with bags. They both look so carefree, something I no longer see as often. Gio is in a suit and Jace has on a T-shirt and Jeans. I think I love spring, the way Gio’s lightweight suit molds to his frame and the sight of Jace in a tight T-shirt is just mouthwatering.
I watch them as they split up. Jace takes his bags to the bedroom. Gio goes to unload in the kitchen.
“What are you two up to?” I say from my seat on the couch.
“We’re going to make you dinner and then we can spend the night in.” He holds up his phone and shows it to me as he turns it off.
I scoff. “I know about the other one.”
“And if they’re calling that phone, you know it’s an emergency I can’t avoid.”
I tilt my head to the side. “You’d cut off your phone to spend time with me?”
“I’m here for you when you need me, you know that. I feel like I need to be here and present at the moment.”
I stand and saunter over to the kitchen. As I reach the island, Jace walks up behind me and wraps his arms around me. I look up at him and smile. He dips to peck my lips.
“What are we cooking?” I ask as I turn and beam at Gio.
He makes a sour face at me. “I have a bottle of wine. Pour yourself a glass and chill.”
“I want to help.”
“We’re fine,” Jace says.
I pull away from him and look between the two. My mouth falls open and I glare at them. Jace rolls his lips in as if trying not to laugh.
“Ugh, you two don’t want me in the kitchen. I know how to cut stuff. I can help.”
Gio chuckles. “You’re right, come wash and cut these onions and peppers for me.”
I grumble to myself as I round the counter and take the bowl he holds out to me. I take it. He kisses my lips as he shrugs from his suit jacket. He begins to roll his sleeves up as he gets the rest of the things from the bags.
“How was your day?” he asks.
“It was okay. Thanks for giving me the day off.”
“Dante wasn’t coming into the office. You didn’t need to be there. You’ve been at the Dollhouse every day this week, so you didn’t need to be there. Kamiko was able to train this afternoon. Why not take a day to yourself?”
“That reminds me. We were talking. Maybe you should hand training over to the originals. Your plate is super full. Once we start trying for the babies, and then when you’re pregnant, you’re going to have to take a step back,” Jace says.
“You have us sounding like vampires,” I chuckle as I finish washing the vegetables and take them to the counter to cut them.
“He’s right. I know I have you stretched thin,” Gio says.
“I’m handling it. I think I did more while I was away.”
“Well, you don’t have to anymore. You have support here,” Jace replies.
“Dante’s schedule is easy to cover. Especially with Lizzy peeking over my shoulder. Once I finish with that, I have a lot of time on my hands for research and checking numbers.”
“Speaking of Lizzy—”
“She’s curious about us,” I cut Gio off.
“Yeah, I’m seeing that. Maybe play up your natural annoyance with me.”
I burst into laughter. “That won’t be hard. I’m still mad you ate my lunch the other day.”
“I was in a rush. Jace told me the sandwich in the bag was mine. How was I supposed to know there were two bags?”
“You asked for the chicken parm sandwich. That might have been your first clue as you bit into my roast beef.”
He laughs. “Come here, smart-ass. Bring the onions.”
I scoop them into the bowl and move closer to him by the stove. He gets behind me and maneuvers my body to face the pan. He kisses my neck as he covers my hand and guides me to pour the onions into the oil in the pan.
“Let’s try to teach you to sweat the onion again,” he whispers in my ear.
“I’ll get the salt.”
“No,” he and Jace say at the same time.
I frown. “Baby, you use way too much salt. It’s about balance. And there are so many other seasonings that can enhance a dish. Lay off the salt,” Gio says.
I nod and bite down on my tongue as it sticks out the side of my mouth. Grabbing the spoon Gio hands me, I stir the onions in the pan.
“What are we making?”
“Pepper steak and rice.”
“Yum.” My face hurts from smiling so hard. This is the normal stuff I want out of life.
Gio
“God, that was good,” I say and wipe my mouth.
“It was,” Ny hums as she takes her last bite. “So what do you guys have planned for the rest of the night?”