Page 37 of The Very First Night

He steps to the side to allow me through the door. With his lips a mere whisper from my ear, he says, “Mine is better.”

“You’re an idiot,” I say with a laugh.

“Got you to smile, didn’t it?” He winks before backing away, his bare feet padding against the floor.

As I step into the kitchen, my eyes are immediately drawn to the dazzling sight before me. The pristine white marble countertops glisten and shimmer under the brilliant sunlight pouring in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. My gaze then travels to the carefully crafted Spanish tile backsplash, each tile a work of art in its own right, their hues adding a burst of vibrance to the space.

Finally, I lay my sights upon the showstopper of the room—the beautiful cabinets. Painted in a striking shade of cobalt blue, they add a touch of boldness and character to the vast expanse of this grand kitchen. It’s a sight that leaves me speechless, my senses overwhelmed by the luxuriousness and elegance of it all.

“Mom, this is Kat,” Tanner says as he sets my casserole dish on the counter amongst the other dishes.

“Your home is beautiful,” I say in awe.

“I like you already!” Mrs. Adler’s eyes sparkle with delight as she pulls me into a hug without warning. I catch a glimpse of Tanner mouthing “Sorry” as I gaze over her shoulder.

The instant affection is foreign, yes, but not bad. I kind of like it.

She releases me from her embrace but holds my arms with a grin as she looks me over from head to toe. “You are gorgeous! Isn’t she gorgeous?”

“The most gorgeous girl I’ve ever seen,” Tanner responds, an awkwardness in his voice that I can’t quite place, but his response seems to satisfy his mom’s lingering interest and she finally releases me.

A crash rings out from over by the stove.

“If you dropped the sweet potatoes, Larry, I swear to God, I will…” Mrs. Adler bustles across the kitchen without another word. As she approaches the stove, which is now coated in what looks like gravy, her expression goes from irritated to furious. “Just go.” She waves Larry away and begins cleaning up the stove.

“Sorry about that,” Tanner says.

“It’s okay…she’s nice.”

“Too nice, sometimes. Don’t worry, though, she can be just as mean when pushed.” He laughs, nodding toward the stove as he presses his hand to the small of my back once more, gently pushing me toward the family room off the side of the kitchen.

With careful steps, we descend from the warm and inviting kitchen into the spacious room where Tanner’s brothers and father are huddled around a large television mounted high on the wall. The TV gleams with vivid colors, its sharp edges casting shadows on the smooth white surface of the fireplace just below it. Flanking the fireplace on both sides are tall built-in bookshelves, lined with rows upon rows of books and trinkets.

Tanner clears his throat, but only his dad peers over at us.

“Hey, Tanner!” He barely looks at us before returning his attention to the game. After a brief delay, he does a double take, notices me, and approaches us. “I apologize. It’s lovely to meet you,” Mr. Adler says as he extends his hand. “I’m Tanner’s father, Larry.”

“It’s lovely to meet you. Your home is beautiful.” I smile awkwardly.

Larry looks around as if seeing the space for the first time. “By golly, it is! Elaine, you’ve decorated our home beautifully.”

“Sucking up to me right now isn’t going to save the cup of gravy you spilled everywhere!” Mrs. Adler yells from the kitchen, but not an ounce of anger lingers in her words.

Larry simply laughs before turning back to us, then peering at the TV. “Please, join us,” he says idly, slinking back over to the two young men sitting on the large sectional.

I look to Tanner and he just shrugs. I move further into the room and allow my gaze to rove over the bookcases. In the center of the one to the left of the television, I notice a black and white picture that looks to be a drawing of Tanner’s parents.

It’s stunning.

Tanner joins me and says quietly, “I drew that for their twentieth wedding anniversary a couple of years ago.”

“You drew that?!”

My shock must show on my face, because his brows shoot up in surprise.

“Lack of faith, tsk tsk.” He laughs before continuing, “I love to draw. It’s actually a big reason I was drawn to architecture.”

“Do architects draw a lot?”

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