Page 60 of Better Hide

I sigh. “I took care of this older lady, a friend of Carissa. I cleaned and cooked for her and did everything she couldn’t do herself.”

“Cooked?” Before I realize what he’s doing, Cole rolls me around to face him, my head resting on one of his arms.

“Shhh,” I hush, hearing Jayden shifting, but I still stifle a giggle.

In the dark, Cole grins at me. “Tell me what you cooked.”

“I don’t know,” I shift. “All kinds of things. Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Jo, I’m so fucking hungry right now; if you don’t tell me every single meal you cooked, I’m going to smack that ass red, then eat you until I’m full.”

“Is that a promise?”

Heat flares in Cole’s eyes.

I roll mine and sit up slightly. “Jayden brought snacks in–”

Cole yanks me back down, looking into my eyes. “I’m hungry foryourfood. I’ve missed it.”

I stare at Cole. “All you’ve tried of mine is some shit I could throw together with Jayden’s shit shopping.”

Cole licks his lips. “Was delicious. I need you to make it again.”

“I can do better.”

Cole groans. “Don’t tease me. As soon as we get settled, and I mean theminute, you’re making me something.”

I roll my eyes but feel a grin creeping at my mouth. “What’s your favorite food?”

Cole grins, “You.”

I smack him lightly. “You know what I mean!”

Cole laughs quietly. “Fine. Other than you…” He rolls his eyes back, then I can practically hear the hunger in his voice. “Stouffer's lasagna.”

I laugh. “No way.”

“Yes way!”

“That’s so basic.”

Cole shrugs. “Okay, MissChef. Sorry I didn’t live up to your standards. What were you expecting me to say? Fucking…” he searches for a little.

I can’t help but laugh again. “You don’t know anything fancy, do you?”

Cole flops on his back dramatically. “I grew up on microwaved food and meals out of a can. Sue me.”

My mood sobers instantly. I know his upbringing wasn’t good. It was insensitive of me to joke like that.

“Oh, hey.” Cole glances over at me. “That was a joke. Tell me aboutyourfavorite meal.”

I pick at the sheet under us. “I don’t know.”

“C’mon, fucking tell me.” Cole puts one of his hands over mine. It’s silent for a bit until I glance up into his eyes. I see nothing but interest.

“Well…” I bite my lip and think. Which one is my favorite? It’s so hard to pick. I love so many for so many different reasons. But I keep coming back to the simple ones. “Mac ‘n cheese?”

Cole shoves my shoulder in fake outrage. “And you call me basic?”

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