“It’s wonderful. Are you not hungry? You should join us.”
“I nibbled while I cooked.” She places her hand on the back of my chair.
“Do you think that maybe next time I could cook with you? I have all these recipes I’d like to try.”
“I take it you like this one?” She lifts one of her gray brows.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” I look at my plate to see I've already eaten everything.
“Sweet girl, I’m teasing you. We have more dumplings. Eat as much as your little heart desires.”
“You can have all the dumplings you want.” Griff spears one onto his fork and offers it to me.
“You don’t have to do that. It’s yours.”
“Open,” he orders. His tone leaves no room for argument. I lean forward and open my mouth. He feeds me the dumpling. I let out a small moan as I chew and then swallow it. I swear I hear a growl come from him, but it’s over so quickly I can’t be sure.
“There are lots of dips and things I’d like to try. You know, start small?”
“Dips are always fun. We can make whatever you want,” Mrs. Putnam offers.
“Really? It’s not too much of a bother?” Griff’s kitchen here is a dream. I’d love to learn to cook.
“You could never be a bother,” Griff says before Mrs. Putnam can respond.
“Not at all.” She winks at me before she disappears back through the door into the kitchen.
I’m not sure I believe Griff, but I also don’t think he’s someone that lies. I’ve already thought I’ve irritated him a few times. He’s such a hard man to understand.
“If you need anything, Vivian, all you need to do is ask. It’s not a bother. I have a staff that can run out and get whatever you require.”
“They’ve already done so much.” People have been coming and going from my bedroom all day to deliver things.
“It’s what they’re paid to do, and I pay them well.” Griff offers me another dumpling. I open my mouth and take it. I oddly enjoy him feeding me. It makes me feel special and taken care of in a way I’ve never been. If he keeps this up, I’ll never want to leave this place.
“Does anyone else live here?” I ask. The place is massive for only one person.
“Mrs. Putnam lives on the property but not in the main house. I don’t care for guests. I value my privacy.”
“This place is so big.” Why have this giant house if you’re not going to do anything with it? That makes no sense to me.
“I got it for a good deal. When I go to sell it one day, I’ll make a killing.”
“Then what?” I take a bite of the mac and cheese. My stomach is starting to feel full, but I don’t want to stop yet.
I’m curious about Griff, and I have a lot of unanswered questions. I also know if we’re done eating then I’ll have to go back to my room. I spent so many years in boarding school being alone.
Now that I have Griff’s full attention, I want to hang on to it while it lasts. I’m sure he’ll slip back to his office soon enough. Right now, though, it actually feels as if someone gives a crap about something I’m saying. When Griff is in the same room as me, he seems to pay attention to everything I do.
“I’d find something else.” He puts his fork down, not interested in eating. He barely touched his plate. I think I ate more off of it than he did.
“You wouldn’t miss it? The memories?”
“No.”
Right. Griff isn’t that type of man. He’s the same as my parents, only younger and even more driven. I need to remember that. I push my food around my plate. If I take another bite, I might be sick. As much as I don’t want to go back to my room, Griff doesn’t make it easier to talk to him. “Are you done eating?”
“I suppose.” I put my fork down. He pushes back from his chair.