Page 37 of Lightness In My Dark

“Chef Dan! You made my favorite!”

He chewed on the inside of his cheek with a confused look. “The Shepard’s pie?” I found the container with a portion in it. “You even packed my lunch for tomorrow.” I patted him on the back. “You’re outstanding.” I took the meal out of the fridge and placed it on the island.

He let out a laugh, shook his head, and said, “Of course I am. However, I didn’t make it.” I tipped my head to the side. “Wren made it for you.”

His comment had me recalling yesterday when Wren asked if I was hungry, which surprised me since she had never asked before.Shit!

Chef Dan glanced at me. My gaze went to the food. “Has she eaten yet?”

He shook his head. Pursing my lips together, I considered what to do next. He put it in the oven while I headed to her room.

With a weak knock on the door, I entered after she saidcome in. There she was in her favorite spot. I tucked my hands in my front pockets and walked over to her.

“Why didn’t you tell me you made Shepard’s pie yesterday?”

She closed her book and placed it on her lap. “You said you already ate.”

I scooted her feet over and sat. “That was nice of you. You didn’t have to cook for me.”

Her finger traced the binding of her book before she spoke. “It was my way of thanking you.” I furrowed my eyebrows, not understanding why she would thank me. “For taking care of me when I was drunk.”

I swatted the comment away. “I couldn’t leave you at the bar with those sharks, or when you wretched up everything in your stomach.” She gave me a shy smile. I nudged her leg and said, “Besides, you’remia piccolarock star.”

“I got the rock star part, but what does the rest mean?”

“My little rock star.”

We sat for a while before I asked her to come and eat the Shepard’s pie with me. She tossed her book on the window seat. Chef Dan left for the day. It turned out great, and I thanked her again. Wren’s closed lip smile accentuated her dimple. I studied her little nose, the dining room light illuminating her bright green eyes, grin, and her laugh. At that peculiar moment, my body felt lighter, mind clearer.

After we cleaned up, Wren was about to leave, so I swooped her into my arms and kissed her on the cheek. Her gorgeous green eyes absorbing what just happened as I put her down.

I touched her hair when I asked, “How about a movie?”

Wren blinked, still stunned by my forwardness. Hell, I don’t even know what made me do it. Agile in my arms, a reminder of her smallness, I acted on impulse. The fact she didn’t shun me showed some progress between us.

My fingers held her jaw. “Earth to Wren. Do you want to watch a movie?”

She cleared her throat, let out an uncomfortable laugh, and said, “Yes.”

We sat on separate ends on the couch, until I put onInsidious, and Wren practically jumped by me. Her body buried into my side, and I wrapped my arm around her. If a horror movie was the key to getting Wren close to me, I would have put one on a long time ago.

Chapter 16 – Shindig

WREN

It was my first time planning a cocktail party, let alone for thirty people, and I didn’t know where to start. The internet only got me so far. From what I had learned, I’d need a menu, alcohol list and a bar area, minimal decorations since it’s Christmas time, music, room setup, and thoughts on where to put the coats. I called my prior firm to talk to an old colleague of mine, who ran some of the company’s parties. She referred a catering company, musicians, and wait staff. The thought I would have been planning a cocktail party three months ago seemed outrageous.

I stood in the dining area, wondering how and where to move the table to provide more room. If we took out the leaves, it would fit across the one wall where I could place the hors d'oeuvre or maybe the drinks. Tapping my pen to my mouth, I moved into the foyer area to see where a coat rack would go. These were minor things, but better to start small.

In the kitchen, I sat with my computer and paper and pen to list menu items and an alcohol list while Chef Dan chopped away in the kitchen.

After several heavy sighs from me, he asked, “Is there something I can help you with?”

I ran my hands through my hair and then rubbed my eyes. “I’m supposed to plan a cocktail party for thirty people. It’s overwhelming. There’s so much to do that I’m not sure where to begin.”

He walked to the table, tapping his fingers to his chest. “I’m your man.”

“What?”

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