Page 55 of The Kitchen Contract

“Oh, you took her on a date! What did you guys do?” Olivia asks, her eyes wide. “Was it romantic?”

“Well, we haven’t gone on any real dates yet.”

“So…what do you guys do then?” Olivia asks with a frown, clearly puzzled.

“Oh, well, we just, um…” Hang out at my house and make out? I absolutely cannot tell my niece and nephews that. I clear my throat, trying to buy myself time to think of an appropriate response.

“They probably have dates at home, like Mom and Dad do when they eat dinner and watch a movie without us.” Rowan shrugs like it’s obvious and steps up to wash his hands. Olivia and Seth both nod like this makes sense. I owe my nephew for that save.

“That’s right, that’s what we do.” Although now I’m realizing, much to my chagrin, that I definitely need to plan a real date for Nora soon. She deserves to be treated to meals she didn’t help cook, movies, bowling, mini golf, and other fun couple experiences. I could kick myself for not thinking of it sooner. I was just so happy to be spending any time with her that it didn’t occur to me that I should be putting forth a little more effort.

“So she’s your girlfriend now?” Olivia asks, just to clarify.

“Yes, Nora is my girlfriend. What do you think about that?”

Olivia’s eyes narrow in thought. “I think she’s nice and you’re nice, so that seems like a good team.”

I chuckle as I follow the kids back outside and crowd in around the table with everyone, making a point to squeeze in next to Nora. What’s the point of having a girlfriend if you don’t get to sit together?

Nora passes me a plate and our fingers brush as I take it from her. I feel her knee press lightly against mine under the table as she leans over to reach for a jar of salsa, and I relish the subtle connection point.

“I meant to tell you, I like the new color,” Annie says to Nora, motioning to her hair.

“Thanks. It was all Alex’s doing. I never would have thought of it on my own.”

“Why do you always go for the hair, bro?” Grant asks. “Remember the time you made me get a mohawk in college?”

“I didn’t make you,” I correct him. “You made yourself by accepting the bet. All you had to do was ignore me.”

Grant glares at me while the rest of the family chuckles.

“I think your purple hair is pretty,” Olivia says. “I asked Mom if I could dye my hair like yours but with pink stripes, but she said no.”

“I think your hair is beautiful just how it is,” Nora tells her. “But there will be plenty of time to try out new colors when you’re older if you still want to. Did you know this is the first time I’ve ever dyed my hair?”

Olivia sighs. “I guess I can wait until I’m older.”

“I wish we could’ve seen Uncle Alex get a bucket of ice water,” Seth says.

“Me too!” Olivia agrees.

“I actually did dump some ice water on him, but I didn’t get it on video.” Nora turns to look at me, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Alex, your niece and nephews are disappointed. I’m sure there must be something we can do about that.”

“Nothing I can think of.” I keep my face neutral and my eyes averted as I crunch a nacho chip smothered in queso.

“Come on, now. I bet it would really be the highlight of Olivia’s party if you let the birthday girl give you an ice bath.”

“Yes!” Olivia claps her hands while Seth and Rowan grin and elbow each other in anticipation.

“Yeah, Uncle Alex,” Grant drawls. “It’s her birthday. Be a good sport.”

“I can’t believe you’re all ganging up on me.” I shake my head, but I can’t smother my smile when Olivia bounces up and down in her seat. I hold up my hand to stop the heckling from all sides as the whole family chimes in. “Fine, fine. Olivia, I’ll let you pour one glass of ice water on my head before I leave today, okay?”

“Deal!”

“And this time I’m going to film it,” Nora says.

“But first, everyone needs to eat all this food I made,” Maddy says. “And then we have cake and presents.”

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