“When did you start cooking? I don’t remember it being your thing when you were here before.”
He grinned at me. “Another perk of living in New York. I go out to eat a lot, and I got to know some of the great chefs after a while. We got to the point where they’d show me how to fix some of their specialties in their kitchens or even their homes. I paid attention. Cooking with Bobby Flay is an amazing experience.” His voice was filled with awe.
“Bobby Flay?” I asked. “Who’s that?”
He looked at me with a raised eyebrow. “Don’t you watch the Food Network?” Austin asked.
I shook my head slowly. “Is that a show?”
Austin barked out a laugh. “It’s a channel. Do you have cable, Rebecca?”
I bit my lip. I felt so out of touch next to Austin. I sipped my wine, needing the liquid courage. “Dad got some kind of streaming box thing. It’s not cable, but it works through the Wi-Fi here.” I waved my hand vaguely. “I might have that channel, but I don’t watch too much television. I read more than anything.”
“As you’ve always loved to do,” he teased me. He opened the oven and pulled out the tray full of Brussels sprouts and bacon. “I am going to get you into some of my things, Rebecca. Mark my words.”
Austin took two plates from the cupboard and set them down. Then he set the massive lobster tails on them and heaped some of the vegetables next to them. He’d also fixed a simple salad, and he put some of that on the plate and drizzled some dressing over the lettuce.
The final addition was a small dish of something that he brought to the table, placing it between where we would be sitting. Austin set the plates on the table and lit the candles that he’d brought over.
He looked over at me. “Ready to eat?”
“I am. Everything looks amazing.” I smiled shyly as I walked over to the table, pressing down my long black skirt that I’d paired with a red sweater.
After everything we’d done together since he came back, there was no question this was a date. I wanted to impress him, even though I didn’t think it would be enough to convince him to stay with me. I wished that were the case, but I went with Kim’s plan and took it one day at a time. I was going to enjoy every moment I had with Austin.
“I don’t think I’ve had any of these dishes before, other than salad,” I said.
“Well, I think you’re in for a treat,” Austin said. He took his seat and cracked open his beer. “This is the only part of the meal that’s North Reed.” He winked at me.
I laughed and took my own seat. “I am glad to see you still have that part of you,” I said as our eyes locked.
“Always,” he drawled.
Heat flooded my thighs. I swallowed thickly and sipped the wine again, letting the alcohol slide down my throat. I took my fork and stabbed one of the Brussel sprouts, before popping it in my mouth. They looked burnt on the outside but tasted incredible. The nutty taste combined with the bacon for a wonderful flavor.
“Oh my God,” I moaned around the bite as I chewed it.
Austin smiled at my reaction. I broke off some of the lobster and looked at the bowl of melted butter. I frowned at him. “What do I do?”
“Dip it in there. I mixed it with a little bit of garlic.”
I lowered the chunk of lobster into the bowl and ate it. The meat was sweet, and the butter was rich and garlicky. It was a perfect contrast.
“This is so good. I never thought that it would be so good. I’ve always seen it on the menu at places, but I thought that it must be expensive since there was no price. What does market price mean anyway?”
Austin chuckled at my question. “It just means that the price changes with the availability of the lobster. It’s a little expensive but so worth it to me.” He watched me take another bite with a tender expression.
“Is it expensive at the store, too?” I asked him.
He chewed a Brussel sprout slowly. “Yeah.” I opened my mouth, but he continued to speak. “Are you still able to come to Christmas tomorrow? Both you and Kim?”
“We’re looking forward to it,” I assured him.
Austin grinned. “Good. I got you something, and it’s waiting under the tree.”
I blushed and turned my attention back to the meal. I enjoyed every bite of it and licked my lips before I spoke again. “I loved the meal. I loved that you went through all this effort for me, Austin. You don’t need to impress me, though.”
“I learned to cook this stuff to impress the chefs, Rebecca. I am glad that you like it as well, but it’s just cooking.” Austin shrugged.