“Kristy, what did you do?” I bite back a chuckle. There’s never a dull moment with this girl.
“Okay, okay, I’ll tell you. I promised Oscar…” she says in a cryptic voice. When I arch an eyebrow at her for further explanation, she huffs in annoyance before continuing. “I promised him that I wouldn’t call anyone to share the news until he’s back from St. Peppers tomorrow.”
“And that’s why you were so evasive in stating the exact reason for your surprise visit. So clever, Mrs. Hawthorne.”
“Well, shame on Oscar for making me keep the biggest news of my life from my best friend. I’ll do no such thing. You better ask her to call me, or you’ll find a surprise visitor in your hotel room tonight.”
I have full faith that she’ll drop by if Rose doesn’t call her.
“We’re staying at Rose’s place tonight in case you decide to pay us an unannounced visit. But I’ll ask your friend to call you in the evening.”
She raises one finger over her lips.
“Yes, yes. I’ll not say anything about your news to her.” When she crosses her arms over her chest, I supply, “Or anyone else.”
Finally, there’s a wide smile on Kristy’s face.
“Does Oscar know there’s a loophole in his promise?”
“Of course he does.”
* * *
“What smells so good?”
My hands folding the kitchen towel come to a halt at the sight of Rose standing by the kitchen door. She’s freshly showered and now dressed in yellow shorts and a matching cotton T-shirt. Her toned, long legs get to me every fucking time.
“Zander, stop staring.” She joins me next to the fridge and smacks my chest lightly.
I grab her hand and pepper kisses over her palm. “Then stop looking so pretty.” Coming back to her every evening has been the highlight of my days since I moved to Cherrywood.
“Wow, that’s too much food.” Rose looks around at the table clad with salad, mashed potatoes, and chili as I take out the bread from the oven. “You baked bread?” Her gaze shifts from me to the pan in surprise.
“Don’t tell me this is the first lucky bread prepared in this oven?” I stifle back my smile. “What do you guys use it for?”
“Pizza. But don’t be surprised if you find some socks inside. Clem is often finding new ways to use the oven.” She giggles as I place the pan onto the table.
“Preparing pizza is more complicated than bread.”
“Preparing?” She blinks rapidly before looking at me as if I’ve grown two heads, causing me to chuckle. Every moment with Rose brings joy into my life. “Do you honestly think I can prepare pizza at home? My association with this oven ends at heating an emergency frozen pizza.” Her gaze then jumps to the table. “But seriously, this is amazing. I can’t wait to come home to this every evening.” She puts her arms around my neck and swings from side to side. “Is it wrong of me to say that?” She sounds unsure, and I grab her by her waist, all too eager to ease her worries.
“Not at all. You know I love to cook for you.” I hold her close and place swift kisses on her neck. When she relaxes in my arms, I give her some more kisses before pulling away, which only causes her to make an annoyed sound.
“Couch girl, as much as I don’t want to stop, I want you to eat. I’ve been working on this for an hour.” I pull out a chair for her. “I also want you to call Kristy after we’re done with dinner.”
“Kristy? Why, is there a problem?” Rose asks as I fill her bowl with chili and place it before her.
“No. Since she was off work today, I thought you guys would like to catch up while I clean. But if you want to help me instead, that’s perfectly okay with me.”
She looks up at me with her eyebrows high, a spoon stuck in her mouth.
I try hard to bite back the laugh that’s ready to burst out of me as an expression of genuine sadness pops up on her pretty face. But finally, I give in. “I’m just teasing. You don’t have to be so sad, couch girl.” I push her bangs off her forehead.
She pulls the spoon out and then looks at me under her lashes. “I don’t think I’m ever going to like cleaning up the kitchen, Zander.”
* * *
“Hi, Kristy,” Rose says as I arrange the dishes in the dishwasher. I don’t have to do all this household shit; I could easily hire someone. But I want to have a relationship with Rose where we experience life around us, every passing moment. Moments that will become our memories someday. My girl has already missed so much in life, and I don’t want her to miss anything more.