Page 25 of Perfect Imperfections

“I just…wasn’t expecting it.”

He chuckled. “I’ve always enjoyed food, and I discovered in med school cooking was a great way to take my mind off studies. Whenever I got stressed or my brain wanted to explode, I took a break and baked cookies or cupcakes.”

“Huh, bet you were popular among your classmates.”

“There was a time or two I suspected our professor gave us extra homework just so I’d bring in my double chocolate brownies.”

Double chocolate brownies? Oh yes, please! She really hoped he made those for dessert tonight. She was a brownie addict.

“I made the garlic bread,” Charlotte stated proudly, taking a huge bite of her own bread. “Daddy, let me do the sprinkle.”

Ellie picked up the slice on her plate, the smell of garlic hitting her like a punch to the face. Lifting the food to her lips, she took a small bite. Immediately, her eyes watered as garlic overpowered every taste bud she possessed. Charlotte must have been very generous with her sprinkling. Not wanting to hurt the child’s feelings, she forced herself to chew and swallow, wondering how on earth Charlotte could sit there and eat her slice without gagging.

“It’s delicious.” She pasted on a big smile she hoped was convincing. Thankfully, it worked as Charlotte beamed and focused on her dinner.

“Sorry,” Sullivan whispered, covertly taking her slice, and slipping it under his napkin while grabbing her another piece. “You must have gotten one of the heavy shakes. I apologize. I thought I took all those out.”

She took a small nibble of her new piece of bread, sighing in relief. This time, a garlic bomb didn’t explode on her tongue. She could actually taste the butter on this slice.

“The last few slices are always a little…enthusiastic with the flavoring.” He chuckled. “But Charlotte loves to help in the kitchen.”

“You like to cook, Charlotte?” She smiled as the little girl shoved a large forkful of salad into her mouth.

“Mmmmm, hmmmm.”

Sullivan pointed his fork in his daughter’s direction. “Charlotte, no talking with your mouth full.”

Ellie tried to hold back laughter as Charlotte rolled her eyes, making big dramatic chews before swallowing.

“I love cooking, but sometimes I get the ‘gredients wrong. But Daddy’s teaching me. Jayne’s mommy taught her how to make chocolate chip cookies, but I don’t have a mommy.”

The child said it so matter-of-factly, but Ellie felt the temperature in the room drop ten degrees at those words. Her eyes slid to Sullivan. He was looking at his food, cutting his chicken with a single determined focus, but she noticed the tightness in his jaw. When he raised his gaze, it clashed with hers. Green pools of pain and anger filled his eyes, but in a blink, all the emotion was gone, and he’d once again plastered a smile on his face.

See what you did with your questions? You ruined dinner!

Ellie focused on her food, resisting the urge to tug at her ear. She told the dark voice in her head to shove it all while wishing she had a magic wand to wave the awkwardness of this moment away.

CHAPTER 9

Turns out she didn’t need a magic wand. After the small blip of discomfort, the rest of the dinner passed uneventfully. Charlotte asked her dozens of questions about the zoo and the animals there. Ellie happily answered all the girl’s questions. Talking about animals was something she loved to do and didn’t have in common with many people, so it was nice to find someone else who loved listening to her blabber on. Even Sullivan seemed interested, asking a few questions himself. She discovered while elephants were Charlotte’s favorite, the elder Green preferred the lions. Of course he did. With their sleek beauty, relaxed demeanor, and tightly leashed power, Sullivan reminded her of the beautiful creatures.

Once dinner was over, they enjoyed some homemade cupcakes that weren’t brownies, but they were scrumptious. She might have to change her stance on favorite desserts. Charlotte talked them into playing a game of Candy Land, which she won. Ellie suspected Sullivan had let the girl win. She sure had.

At eight-thirty, Charlotte let out a jaw-cracking yawn. Sullivan scooped her into his arms. “Okay, Angel. Time for bed.”

“Can Ellie tuck me in?”

He lifted his brows in question. Was he asking if she wanted to? She’d never tucked in a kid before. Couldn’t even remember the last time someone had tucked her in. She was sure her parents had at one point in her childhood.

“Um, sure. I can do that.”

“Yay.”

The excited cry was softer than normal as the girl’s eyes started to droop.

“We better get a move on.” Sullivan turned and headed toward the stairs. “Once she’s out, she’s out. I’d like her to at least make a pass at her teeth before that happens.”

Ellie followed them up the stairs and down the hall. She stood by awkwardly as Sullivan helped Charlotte brush her teeth and hair, staying in the hall as Charlotte changed into her pajamas and used the bathroom. She followed Sullivan and the drowsy little girl into a room decorated with pictures of elephants and princesses. A small bookshelf held several children’s books, some of which Ellie fondly remembered from her own childhood. A scattering of toys spilled out of a chest in the corner, dolls, animals, some blocks. Ellie even spotted a truck or two. It seemed the little girl had everything her heart desired. The thought made her smile right before she remembered the little girl didn’t have a mother.

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