Page 90 of Billion Dollar Revenge

He chuckles as we turn around to head back to his place. “I haven’t thought about it. Are you telling me I’m old?”

I giggle. “No, just asking.”

After the leisurely stroll, we enter his house and it’s just as I thought—coastal.

My eyes widen at the high ceilings, neutral colors, a fireplace, and modern appliances. But my nostrils flare from the smell of something cooking. My stomach grumbles. It smells a bit like onion and garlic and slow-cooked meat.

My eyebrows pinch. “You started cooking?”

We wander into his kitchen. I follow, grabbing the back of the stool, and put my bag down.

“I marinated some chicken and placed it in the slow cooker when we were messaging. It should be done. I’ve just got to pop the veggies and the potatoes on. Then put some bread out.”

“You’ve done a lot,” I say quietly, amazed by how much he’s done for me.

“It’s not much.”

He thinks that way, but to me, this is a lot.

“Has no one ever cooked for you before?”

“Yeah.”

“Of course they have,” he says, his tone a little darker. I sense a hint of jealousy. Only, he doesn't know that it's not a male.

“My parents and roommates,” I say, smirking.

“He didn’t?”

With a sigh, I shake my head.

He must sense my sadness and changes the subject.

“When was the last time you saw your parents or your family?”

I try to think back a while.

“Six months.” I shake my head, lips pursed. “No, over a year ago. Have you been to Connecticut before?”

“No.”

“I'm surprised,” I mumble.

“Why?"

“You seem to be well-traveled.”

He nods. “I am worldly to some degree, but only when it comes to work. I used to travel a lot for work, but now I leave it to my employees to do.”

“Why?”

“I prefer to do it for pleasure, not for work.”

For a moment, I picture him in Connecticut.

The quiet town. Simple life. I think it would suit him.

It would probably bore him after a little bit, but I could see him enjoying it as a break stop. It has the same feeling here gives you…peace. Growing up, I’d enjoy nature walks along the tracks, the fireplace in the living room, the open space in the yard, where I’d play games with my sister or study for high school exams. The sun and air kissing my skin, life was so much easier then.

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