Page 21 of Imperfections Forbidden

“So what do you think, did I do well?”

I look at her and smile.“Yes, you did.”I taste a piece of the egg.It’s actually very good.I was a little skeptical, because I’ve never seen Cat cook anything since I’ve known her.

She beams at me when she sees the smile on my face.“Do you really like it?”

“Yes, it’s really good.When did you learn to cook?I’ve never seen you in the kitchen cooking.”

“I had to learn how to feed myself when I was away at college, there was no Sophie around.And she used to let me help her cook sometimes, I learned a few things.”

“It’s nice to know I’ll be getting a gourmet dinner tonight.”

“No, you won’t.I said I know how to feed myself.I’m letting you know right now my culinary expertise doesn’t expand past breakfast and frozen foods.”

“Then we’re a match because my culinary skills don’t expand past grilled chicken and steak on the Foreman grill.”

“You made me a gourmet breakfast yesterday.”She puts the lid down with her hand on her hip.

“I never said I made it; you assumed I did.”

“And you let me believe it.”

“You were impressed with my skills in the kitchen.”

“I was, you little liar.I should know better than to trust a lawyer.You’re all born liars.”

“Hey, hey, hey, don’t slander a noble profession.”

“Whatever,” she says, sitting down.“I guess between you and me we’ll never starve.You’ll make dinner, I’ll make breakfast, and for lunch we’ll meet in the middle and order out.”

“Sounds good to me.”I drink some of my orange juice and take another bite of eggs.

“Me, too.”

“That was good.Thank you.”

“Did everything go well with your client?”

“Yeah, it was one of my brother’s friends; he was arrested for assault and battery against his ex-girlfriend.”

She looks appalled.“Did he do it?”

“No, I don’t think so.I told him before that girl was trouble.Never trust a big butt and a smile.”

“Are you quoting from Bell Biv Devoe?”

“That girl is”—we take a beat and sing at the same time—“Poison!Poison pa pa pa pa pa poison.”

We laugh and high five over the table.We used to do things like that when we were little all the time.It was a game we played, if one of us said the words that were in a song.Good times.

“Is that all you did while you were gone?”

“Yes, why?”I’m not telling her about seeing Paige at the office.I’m not going into that.Things have been going good, and today is my last day with her.I don’t want her to think about something that’s over and done with.Nothing happened, no need for me to tell her.

“Just asking.”

“I did go to the office to pick up some papers I have to look over.”I get up and put the plate in the dishwasher.

“I’ll be back.”She gets up from the chair pushing it under the table.