Page 7 of A Chef's Kiss for Christmas

“But–”

“What are your parents called?” Anna cut in.

He fell into step beside her, confused by how difficult it was to dissuade her from coming. Why did she have to choose today to be assertive?

“Jen and Dennis,” he said.

“Is there a big feud I should know about?”

“How do you mean?”

“A reason you don’t see them often, and barely speak about them, and are freaking out about having dinner with them?” She gave him a sidelong look. “Are they horrible people? It doesn’t matter if they are,” she added quickly. “I’ll still have dinner with them. It would just be easier to know.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever known you to talk so much,” he remarked, striding along beside her.

“I’m nervous, and I’ll feel better if I’m prepared.”

“If you’re nervous, don’t come!”

Her lips twitched upwards. “If I let nerves stop me from doing things, I’d probably never leave the house. Please, just answer my questions.”

He squinted, trying to remember what she’d even asked. “They’re not horrible people,” he said. “But they’re not like your parents.”

“In what way?”

“They’re not warm. My dad is likely to ask what you earn and your level of education. Those are the things they care about.”

“Okay.” She looked thoughtful. “Good to know. Did you fall out with them? Is that why they never visit?”

He stared ahead, watching snowflakes flutter past the streetlight and ignoring the question.

After a moment, she sighed loudly. “Let’s try some easier questions. Do you have siblings?”

“Yes,” he said, feeling his shoulders tense.

“How many?”

“One sister.”

“I take it from the tone that you don’t get on?”

“She’s even more annoying than your sister.”

Anna snorted a laugh, and the sound made Warren’s shoulders drop slightly. He hadn’t even noticed how tense he was until then.

“You really don’t need to come if you’d rather not,” he said, half wanting her to bail, and another part of him hoping she’d stick to her guns and insist on joining.

“I’m coming. I only need to know whether I’m your girlfriend or just a friend?” Her cheeks flared with heat. “I mean, whatare we telling your parents?”

He looked ahead to the restaurant, thinking of how satisfying it would be to introduce Anna as his girlfriend. Finally, he might impress his parents. It would be a pathetic way of going about it, though.

At the door to the restaurant, he took a deep breath. “I guess we’ll stick to being friends.”

Chapter Four

Anna had chosen her outfit strategically, knowing she always felt more confident when she was well-dressed. She’d got an extra confidence boost when Warren had gawked at the sight of her.

His grumpiness irked her, but she blamed his mood on his nerves.