Page 70 of Broken-Hearted

And not only dinner. There’s an explosion behind me that I’m not ready to face up to yet. I shoved pots and pans into the oven so Nathan wouldn’t have to look at the epic mess I made. But I have to deal with that mess sooner rather than later.

I really tried, but I guess I’m just not cut out for this cooking business.

“Yeah.” He kisses my forehead. “It’s pretty fucking terrible.”

I pull back and glare at him. “But you were eating.”

He nearly cleared his plate of charred pork chops so tough it was like chewing jerky, lumpy mash, and broccoli so soft you could have cut it with a spoon.

“You cooked dinner for me, peach. I’d have eaten gravel if that’s what you served up.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to hide my smile. “You have strange ways of making a girl fall for you, Blackshaw.”

The amusement in his gaze fades. “Is that what’s happening here?”

“Maybe.”

His lip quirks as he studies me. “You blow that feeling out of the water.”

“What feeling?”

“I thought I was supposed to be with Hallee. That’s why it hurt so much, and why I struggled to move on. I thought I would never feel as strongly about anyone as I did about her. But I was wrong. I think I was always meant to be with you.”

My eyes prickle. “That isn’t what you say to a girl who just served up the worst dinner in the world. You make her swear to stay out of the kitchen in case she gives you food poisoning next time.”

“We’re shifters.” He rises from the dining table bench, lifting me easily. “I don’t have to worry about food poisoning, so I’ll survive whatever you serve up next time.”

“You make it sound like it’s going to be Armageddon.” I fake scowl as I loop my arms around his shoulders, holding on when I don’t need to. Nathan’s arms are pretty damn secure around me.

“You used up every pot, pan, and kitchen implement. If it’s not Armageddon, it’ll be pretty close to it.”

“Where are you taking me, Blackshaw?” I assumed the bed for obvious reasons, but nope,

Nathan is bypassing the bed on his way toward the couch.

“It’s going to rain later. How about we snuggle up on the couch and watch a movie?”

“Another stage in romancing Clara Vincent?” I ask as he places me on the couch and snags a check blanket he throws over the both of us.

“Nope.” He presses the TV remote into my hand. “Pick something.”

I raise my eyebrow. “After I nearly killed you with my bad cooking?”

He draws me against his side and kisses the top of my head. “After you cooked for me when you clearly hate it.”

I peek up at him through my lashes, muting my smile when he glances down at me.

As we snuggle on the couch, Nathan asks if I want popcorn.

I pause my search for the perfect movie. “I guess. Want me to make it?”

He looks down at me. “Do you know how to make popcorn?”

Can I open a bag of popcorn from the store? No question.

But can Imakeit?

I stare at him. “You need a pot, right?”

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