Page 105 of Omega Tricked

He got off the couch and approached, still looking a bit sleepy. “What would you make?”

“Grilled cheese?”

His eyes brightened. “Yes, please.”

I grinned. “That was easy.”

“I love your cooking.” He moved closer.

I love you.

I squelched that response and said instead, “I’m glad.” I went into the kitchen and opened the fridge. “It’s so weird to be back here.”

“Is it?” He frowned.

“Good weird.”

He leaned against the sink, arms crossed, watching me. I moved around the kitchen, aware he was staring intently. Just being in the same room with him felt nice. Especially since his energy was warm and open. He wasn’t afraid of me anymore, and that meant everything.

Once the sandwiches were ready, we sat on the couch and ate them. He lay lengthwise facing one direction, and I did the same in the other direction. Our legs were intertwined, and it felt intimate. Perfect. I couldn’t believe he’d given me another chance. I didn’t really deserve one, but I was so grateful he wanted to try.

He licked his fingers and sighed. “That was the best grilled cheese I ever had.”

“That’s flattering.”

“It’s true. You shouldn’t have been taking a cooking class. You should be teaching one.” He laughed.

“I’d probably be a terrible teacher.” I wrinkled my nose. “I’m not very patient.”

“You seem patient.”

I shrugged. “That’s because I am, with you.” I smirked. “Ask Gabriele how patient I usually am. I’m sure you’ll get an earful.”

He laughed. “I will. He can tell me all your deep dark secrets.”

I frowned. “There aren’t any that you don’t know.”

Wincing, he said, “That was just a joke.”

“Oh.”

He picked at a loose thread on the seam of his jeans. “My meeting with Charles went well.”

I tensed. “Did it? I didn’t want to pry. I thought I’d let you talk about it if you wanted to.”

“How very considerate of you,” he smirked. “More like you don’t want to hear about Charles, so you didn’t bring it up.”

“Well, I don’t want to think about him, but that wasn’t the reason. I’m trying to give you your space. I know I put you through hell.”

He frowned. “I feel better already just being back here with you.”

My heart lifted. “Really?”

He smiled. “Yeah.”

I sighed. “I’m so glad.”

His gaze was affectionate. “Me too.”