Page 68 of Succumbed

“...yes?”

“And how do you feel right now?”

She looks away. “Hungry. Cranky. Annoyed.”

I hold up the bag containing her lunch. “Problem solved.”

“I don’t know how I feel about you two conspiring–”

“Lex, it’s for your own good; you’re terrible at taking care of yourself.” I move over to perch on the couch and unpack lunch.

“I am not!”

“You are. Sit down.”

“Shane, I am not a child.” Her voice wavers between indignation and confusion.

“No shit, you’re not. You’re a driven, focused, powerful woman. But I’ve never seen you put yourself first, so sit your ass down and let someone else step up.”

She blinks, lowering herself slowly to the couch next to me. “You’re bossy today.”

“Linc would argue I’m bossy every day.” I hand her a container and a set of chopsticks. “Miso rice bowl with tofu and veggies.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

We open our lunches in peaceful silence, Lex stealing glances at me. After she finishes her first few bites, she turns to face me with a thoughtful expression.

“This is divine, Shane. Where did you learn to cook?”

I swallow my bite, then take a sip from my water bottle.

“Dec and Linc’s mom. She stayed home and loved to cook.” Memories rush up, some less wholesome. “My mom…struggled for a long time. My dad was never around. I learned from Mrs. Wilde, then I’d make simple things so my mom and I had food at home. When Declan and I went to college, I started experimenting with recipes on my own.”

“Let me guess: Linc and Declan weren’t as keen to learn?” Her eyes sparkle.

“Not a bit.”

“So Declan’s the leader at Solum, but you run the house?”

Reaching out, I pinch her side lightly. As she laughs, I move closer to her, our knees knocking together.

“Next you’re going to ask me who wears the pants.”

She sobers quickly, nodding. “Yes, please. I’ve been dying to know.”

“Haven’t you learned by now?” I lean closer, whispering conspiratorially. “We all do.”

Heat flashes in her eyes as she giggles, relaxing back against the couch and regarding me. “Tell me more. I know so little about you, Shane.”

“It’s not like you give us time for pillow talk.”

“Oh, please! You’re not the pillow talk type.”

“Fair.” Taking another bite, I watch as she does the same. “What do you want to know?”

“Everything.”

---