Page 46 of Saved By Two

“What has you concentrating so hard, sweet girl?” Noah asks as he picks up two plates off the counter and carries them to the table.

He nudges his head for me to sit, and Caleb tucks my chair in once my butt hits the soft padded seat.

I blush at the action, something about it so chivalrous.

“I was thinking about my next steps. Maggie mentioned going to the supermarket today, and I realised I’ve not left the house apart from the roof terrace. Maybe it’s time I started getting my life back.”

Noah nods at the same time that Caleb frowns as he pours us all a glass of wine.

“Maybe you should wait until we know your ex is no longer a threat.” He glances towards Noah as he takes his seat.

“Or maybe we should support Jessica in whichever steps she feels she’s ready to take,” Noah says, reaching for his glass and holding it up. Caleb and I mirror him.

“To new beginnings.” We all clink our glasses. It’s delicious as always; Caleb has such a fantastic palate.

I pick up my fork and wait, my eyes flicking between Caleb and Noah as they take their first bite.

Noah closes his eyes in appreciation, and then a deep, satisfied hum rumbles up his throat. Caleb’s eyes widen as he swallows.

“Fuck me, this is good,” he says, taking another bite.

Pride swells deep inside the crevices of my chest cavity, and I smile around my forkful. I can’t remember the last I felt proud of something I had done.

“I can see why you wanted to become a chef,” Noah says, reaching for some garlic bread. “This is food heaven.”

The compliment warms me unexpectedly because I know that every word these two men speak is the truth. It was clear early on that neither of them said things they didn’t mean.

I love how the only sounds are hums of enjoyment and cutlery scraping against the plates as we eat. The guys both have seconds, and I half expect them to lick their plates clean.

“I hope you’ve saved some room for dessert.” I stack the plates, but Noah ushers me away and takes them into the kitchen to start loading the dishwasher.

“Believe me. We always have room for dessert.” The way Noah throws that comment over his shoulder, with a smirk on his handsome face and a wink, makes me wonder if that was some kind of innuendo.

I clear my throat and look away, but when I do, Caleb is staring at me, his gaze intense, turning me inside out.

“So, is that what you want to do, become a chef?” he asks, bringing the rim of the glass to his mouth.

The fullness of his bottom lip momentarily entrances me…and how his tongue sweeps over his top lip after he takes a sip. And how his adam's apple is so prominent as he swallows.

My lower stomach tightens with need.

“Yes, that’s why I was in culinary school. I only had four months left until I would have received my diploma. It was a combined course with an internship.”

I glance into my lap, squeezing my hands into fists, my pulse racing. Sadness and anger fight for my attention—my culinary dreams were something I ended up losing because of my arsehole ex.

“Hey.” Caleb leans over, his forefinger hooking under my chin until I’m staring back at him.

“That can all be worked out if you still want to do it. We can help make it happen.”

Noah comes over, his hand squeezing my shoulder. “I think you’d be robbing the world of your talent if you didn’t.”

My entire body heats from their lightest of touch and encouragement.

The oven buzzer goes off, and I’m grateful for the reprieve. Caleb drops his hand, and Noah releases my shoulder as I push to my feet.

“I’ll dish up dessert,” I say, unable to hide the catch in my throat.

With my back to them, I make my way into the kitchen, but with the open space, I feel their eyes on me, causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stand on end and my nipples to stiffen beneath the lace of my bra.

---