“This is delicious.”
“Good.”
“Sage and pumpkin.” He took another mouthful. “You don’t cook meat?”
A hint of color appeared in her smooth cheeks. “I can cook meat for you if that’s what you’d like.”
“But you never eat it yourself?”
“Never. I’m a vegetarian. I don’t like to harm animals.”
His heart thudded. He put his fork down. His food lay forgotten in front of him. “How long have you been vegetarian?”
“Always. I was raised by my grandmother, and she had very firm views about respecting living things.”
“So right from an early age you’ve been kind to all animals.”
“I’m not a saint. I wouldn’t cuddle a spider, but I don’t tread on them if that’s what you mean. If they’re enormous I call for Matt and he does it.”
“Matt is your friend’s brother?”
“That’s right. He lives in the apartment above mine. He’s like family.”
“Right.”
“And speaking of family, are you going to tell your grandmother that you’re back? At some point she’s going to ask me about this job, and I don’t want to lie.”
He realized that he was putting her in a difficult position. “I’ll tell her I’m back.” His attention was caught by the smooth surface of the table in the living room. It took him a moment to realize what was missing. “What happened to the knife that was on the table?”
She didn’t look at him. “What knife?”
“There was a knife on the table.”
“Was there?” Her tone was innocent. “I probably moved it. It’s dangerous leaving knives around. Everyone who has ever worked in a kitchen knows that.”
He gave her a long look. “Why did you think the knife was there, Eva?”
She took a large gulp of wine. “I wasn’t sure. But it seemed safer to move it.”
“Did you think I might harm you with the knife?”
“What? No!” She looked horrified. “Not for a moment. Despite the blood dripping off the cover of your books, I can see you’re a really good person.”
Lucas felt tension prick the back of his neck. “So why did you move it?”
Her gaze returned to her plate. “Because I was afraid you might use it on yourself.”
He stared at her in silence. “That’s why you stayed? Because you were worried about me?”
“No. I stayed because I had a job to do and I made a promise to your grandmother. Even if she wasn’t a client, I have great respect for grandmothers.”
“Eva—”
“Okay, yes! Part of the reason I stayed was because I was worried about you.”
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“The knife was there to give me inspiration for the book. Nothing more.”