Page 37 of The Kitchen Contract

I’m still not ready for her to leave, but I’m out of stall tactics, so I stand up too and follow her to the kitchen. She comes to a halt just inside.

“Oh my gosh, you destroyed this place.”

Objectively, I can see why she’d say that. There are ingredients and dirty dishes everywhere, flour sprinkled on the counters. I barely remembered to put the milk back in the fridge. It probably looks like a kid was baking without his mommy.

“I was in a hurry,” I defend myself. “What kind of host leaves his guest waiting for refreshments?”

She laughs and starts to gather up a spoon, spatula, and bowl I left on the island. “I appreciate your consideration. But I have to wonder if you weren’t just hoping I would help you clean it up if you left it like this.”

That wasn’t what I was thinking, but I see the merit in the idea now that she’s pointed it out. Wasn’t I just wishing for an excuse to keep her here longer?

I grin. “You got me.”

She washes the bowl while I wipe the counters and stow my flour and sugar back in the pantry. I glance over at her and notice her pink lips puckered into a slight frown.

Now it’s my turn to ask, “What are you thinking?”

She glances up at me but doesn’t answer right away, taking her time rinsing the bowl and wiping it dry with a dish towel. Finally, she slings the towel over her shoulder and turns to face me with her arms crossed, one hip braced against the counter.

“Honestly? I was thinking about how ticked off I was earlier when you didn’t believe me. I almost walked out right then.”

I swallow and look down at the floor. “I really am sorry about that. I shouldn’t have called you a liar. I let my emotions get the best of me.”

“I know. You already apologized, and I forgive you, Alex. But it brought up some things that I haven’t thought about in a while that seem to be coming up a lot recently.” She fiddles with the corner of the towel, thinking.

“Anything I can help with?” I ask.

She smiles sadly. “I’m afraid not. The thing is, I haven’t been completely honest with some people. I might not have lied outright, but I definitely didn’t correct them when I knew they believed something untrue, and it’s really been bothering me lately. I think it’s why I reacted so strongly when you called me a liar.”

I lean back against the island and wait. If she wants to say more, I’m ready.

“Did you know I went to culinary school?”

I blink. “No, I didn’t. But you have a natural talent in the kitchen, so it makes sense.”

“Yeah, only I never finished.”

“Okay.” I sense there’s something deeper going on here, but I don’t know what. “Why did you quit?”

“I didn’t quit. I was kicked out.”

Now this surprises me. Nora is such an easy person to get along with, and she’s clearly passionate about food. I would have predicted she graduated at the top of her class. My face must show my disbelief because she gives me a wry smile.

“Shocking, huh? I’m a kitchen delinquent.”

I shake my head, frowning. “I don’t think so. I get the feeling there’s more to that story. Am I right?”

She lifts one shoulder. “I guess that depends on who you ask.”

“I’m asking you, Rose.”

She stares at me for a moment, her lips quirking up ever slightly. “I like it when you call me that.”

I smile because I like it too. It fits her. She’s lovely and sweet, but also a little thorny when you push her. I saw that thorny side earlier, and I liked it. Not in the moment, of course, but thinking back on our exchange, I’m glad she stood up for herself and put me in my place.

“So what happened? Why didn’t you get to finish?”

She rolls her bottom lip between her teeth, thinking. I bet she’s trying to decide if she wants to tell me or not, and I mentally cheer when she takes a deep breath and begins.

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