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All of the words fizzled out of my brain. I nodded and watched as he got his own bowl. My cheeks heated. There were no questions about what was in it or how many calories it was.
God, I missed that.
I missedthis—the easy banter we used to have.
“Why haven’t you cooked in a while?” he asked as he sat with his own bowl.
“I answered the soup question. I don’t have to answer anymore.”
“Fine. I get it. But all I know is what I’ve heard, and if anyone told you to stop cooking, then they’re a fucking idiot.”
“I’m actually the idiot here. I let someone walk all over me for far too long.”
“Who?”
I glanced at him again. His posture was stiff and his grip on the spoon tightened.
“You don’t need to pretend to be protective over me. Those years have passed.”
“I’m not pretending.”
“Why would you?—”
“I don’t have a right to feel the way I do, not after what I did. I know that, but I don’t like the idea of anyone walking all over you, Stella. You deserve better.”
It was such a shocking statement that it knocked my defenses loose. I answered before I could stop myself. “His name is Reed. I dated him for two years.”
“Reed sounds like the name of a jackass.”
“That’s ... I’m sure there are nice Reeds out there.”
“Maybe there are. But am I right about this one being a jackass?”
“Not in the obvious ways. But as far as cooking, he hated anything that I made. He had to know only healthy things were going into it. No salt, sugar, or ... fun.”
“I’m pretty sure all of those are good in moderation.”
“Reed wasveryworried about his health.”
“Was, huh? Did he die?”
“No. But he’s dead to me. It’s over as of almost twenty-four hours ago.”
“Do you ... want to talk more about it?”
I eyed the way his shoulders werestilltense. “Next time you ask that, try not to look so pained.”
“We don’t really know each other, but we’re stuck together so ...” He looked away, face twisted as if he knew exactly how awkward this was.
We don’t really know each other,but he’d taken my virginity. Yeah, whatever.
“How about we pretend we’re fine and move on, okay? We don’t have to talk about it.”
“You’ll never be able to pretend you’re fine and me not pick up on it, Stella.”
I blinked. “How did you still catch it? Most people don’t see it.”
“I’m not most people.”