Page 7 of My End

I slid onto the stool next to her and tried not to read too much into it.

“You’re in for a treat with Adam’s cooking,” she said, wiped her mouth with a napkin, and set it on her empty plate. “Hopefully, he’ll make his smash burgers soon.”

“I’m always up for a burger,” I said.

Adam groaned. “That’s the fourth time you’ve mentioned smash burgers in two days, Tilly.”

“Just saying,” she teased.

“I got the message loud and clear. They’re on the menu for Saturday night.”

Tilly pumped her fist again. “Hell yeah.”

“Did you start your next painting?” Adam asked and flipped a skillet behind the island.

Tilly shrugged. “Yeah, but I’m not really feeling it. It will likely go in my pile for later.”

Adam chuckled and turned back to the stove. He moved like someone who knew exactly where everything was without looking. He grabbed a plate and started piling food onto it. Pasta. Red sauce. Sausage. Cheese. A slice of garlic bread that looked like it belonged in a food magazine.

“Uh, I can get my own plate,” I said. “You don’t need to wait on me.”

Adam didn’t even pause. “Yeah, I do. For my own sanity. So you don’t just slop the food I’ve worked on for the past few hours onto a plate like cafeteria gloop.”

Tilly laughed. “Adam doesn’t let anyone make their own plate.”

Adam grabbed her plate and turned toward the sink. “It’s better this way.”

He set the food in front of me, and my mouth practically watered.

Penne in a rich red sauce, thick cuts of sausage glistening with garlic and oil, and a sprinkle of cheese that melted just enough to look intentional. The garlic bread had a golden crisp on top and a buttery sheen underneath.

“Yeah,” I muttered and picked up my fork. “This wouldn’t have looked this good if I’d done it myself.”

“You eat with your eyes first,” Adam said, and rinsed a bowl. “Gotta make it look good before it tastes good.”

I took a bite. And yeah, it was good. Like restaurant-grade, top-shelf, forget-what-you’re-mad-about good.

Tilly watched me. Her green eyes flicked to my mouth, then back up.

“You good?” I asked.

She smiled and nodded. “I’m good. It was nice meeting you, Jake. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.”

She pushed back her stool, stood, and thanked Adam with a quick hug before disappearing down the hallway.

I watched her go, and the sway of her hips pulled my focus even when I tried not to let it.

Gorgeous.

And definitely with Boone.

Which made things complicated as hell.

“So,” Adam said as he rinsed dishes, “how’s the food?”

I wiped my mouth and nodded. “Really good.”

He grinned. “Good to hear. I don’t usually get feedback from the guys unless I screw something up.”