“I didn’t even see you there.” He shook his head as if waking his brain up and I pressed my lips together to keep from sneering.
He really didn’t see me here? Fletcher’s value was definitely in his technology skills, because his attention to real life detail was severely lacking. If Vienna ever tried to take him on a job with her, I’d do my best to talk her out of it.
Or incapacitate him.
His obliviousness was a danger to him and others. Even though it shocked me. When it came to his work, he seemed to know every possible angle and corner to check.
“I’m making dinner. Don’t eat anything yet,” I repeated slowly, just in case my words hadn’t registered earlier.
Fletcher narrowed his gaze on me as he shut the door to the fridge. Then he glanced down at my array of ingredients and snickered. “Are you Italian?”
That was odd.
“Hey, don’t look at me like that.” He held up his hands in surrender. “I just thought it was funny that you were making another type of pasta. Seems like you have a preference and I thought it might have to do with your upbringing or family or something.”
“Oh.” I stirred in the pumpkin and inhaled the savory aroma that wafted from the pan as it mixed with the sausage. “My family is the true definition of the American melting pot. I’ve just been on a pasta kick lately.”
“Cool. I can’t complain. I do okay in the kitchen but nothing like what you whip up.” The begrudging respect in his voice had me smiling at the stove.
I still didn’t like him, still didn’t want him here. But we could have a mutual understanding.
“Is this what you do for Drew?”
Pausing mid-stir, I glanced over at him. He leaned a hip against the counter as he crossed his arms. The entire pose was unassuming and his tone was mild.
“What do you mean?” I turned the burner to low, just in case I didn’t like what he was about to say.
“I mean, I know my purpose to Drew. She’s letting me stay here as payment because I can do things for her that she can’t. And I do a damned good job of it.” He shrugged like he wasn’t openly bragging. “I’ve seen you with her a few times and outside of glaring menacingly at everything that comes within a small distance of her, I haven’t seen you do anything useful. Actually, I take that back. You cook like a pro. And your cleaning standards are better than the worst OCD obsessed person I’d ever seen. I’m just wondering why she keeps you around.”
The familiar bubble of fury started just below the surface. Soon, it would reach my head and then I couldn’t be held responsible for what happened.
“You’re wondering why she keeps me around?” I slowly turn to face him. Daring him to repeat what he just said.
“Come on, man. You’re a glorified house husband who also doubles as eye candy. Doesn’t that bother you?” The skin around one side of his mouth twitched as if he was fighting a smile.
I knew what this was. He was trying to get back at me for getting him drunk last night. Logically, he might not even mean it. There was more between Vienna and me than this superficial relationship he was trying to claim, but his words hit too close to home after the morning chat I had with Vienna.
“I’m not a house husband,” I stated and left it at that. He didn’t deserve to know what I was to Vienna. Or how she was bringing me into her life. All he needed to know was that I intended to stay there.
“Really? Could have fooled me. Don’t worry. I’m sure she could really use someone to keep the counters gleaming and scare the dust away.”
Fuck it.
With two steps forward, I threw a right hook, catching him firmly on the cheek. As he crashed back against the wall with a loud curse, I reveled in brief satisfaction.
When he didn’t make any moves to fight me, I went back to cooking, glad to see the sauce wasn’t burning.
“What the hell just happened?” Vienna stormed in, furious tawny eyes taking in Fletcher as he cupped his face.
A sigh escaped me. I should—
“I was an ass,” Fletcher volunteered. “I wanted to provoke him.”
Surprise flickered in Vienna’s eyes, but I missed if it registered on the rest of her expression because I twisted to look back at Fletcher. He gave me a rueful smile.
“Nice right hook. My cousin hits harder, but you’re not bad.”
I snorted then turned my attention back to the stove. I wasn’t going to let him being a jackass ruin dinner.