Page 89 of Stolen Dreams

“Never met anyone like you.” He kisses my hair with reverence. “Won’t lose you.” He hugs me closer, tighter. “You’re mine, Fire Eyes.” A hum vibrates between us. “And I’m yours.”

Lazy smile on my face, I drift off to sleep.

TWENTY-FIVE

RAY

“Great job, everyone.”My cheeks sting as I scan the room and meet each of the students’ eyes. “You’ve made me proud this week.”

Like any school or class, the work gets more challenging with each step forward. This class is no exception. But these kids blew me away with their skills this week. The recipes we selected for the program range in difficulty—none of them too hard—but many are tedious and take patience. I imagined the kids huffing or groaning at the process. They proved me wrong.

I gesture to the platters along the front counter. “These are extraordinary. Be proud of yourselves.” I clap, André and Fin joining my applause before everyone else. “Now, come up here and fill your plates.”

For the last day of lunch and appetizers, each group was given a different recipe. André, Fin, and I also had our own order to fulfill. The result is five different slider-size sandwiches and an appetizer for everyone to enjoy. From mini burgers to barbecue pulled chicken to smoked trout, we made picture-worthy, mouthwatering meals.

The kids form a line and shuffle along the counter, adding one of each to their plates. Kaya pulls up the rear, a radiant smile on her face as she meets my waiting gaze.

Since meeting Kaya, I’ve seen so many of her smiles. But the one she wears now is my favorite. She’s worn it every day since waking up in my bed Saturday morning. And like a lovesick idiot, I return it with equal fervor. It’s impossible not to.

Once everyone has gotten their share, I fill a plate and join Tucker and Kaya to eat.

“How is everything, bud?”

Tucker swallows his bite and washes it down with water. “So good.” His jaw slackens as he makes this drool-worthy expression. “This one’s my favorite so far.”

Shocked by his choice, I do my best to school my features. Whenever I introduce new foods to Tucker, I remind him the flavor may not be something he’s used to, so he may not like it… at first. But I ask him to be open to trying it again, made a different way.

Tucker isn’t big on fish, but I’ve discovered new ways to make it and him enjoy it. The banh mi–style smoked trout sandwich was not something I expected him to put on his plate, but I’m glad he did.

I taste the fish sandwich for the first time and moan. “You’ve got good taste buds, T-Man.” The smokiness of the fish, the sweet and pungent flavors of the pickled vegetables, and the hint of heat from the peppers make for a killer combination.

Smile on his face, Tucker leans closer to Kaya and talks about the sandwich they made today—the ultimate veggie. With animated gestures, he demonstrates the different cuts he made for the vegetables. His bright eyes and rushed words are the absolute highlight of hosting this class.

No one indicated they ate plant-based, but I wanted to show them how flavorful and delicious vegetables can be. When mostkids picture a vegetable on their plate, it’s bland, overcooked, and by itself. A lot of kids only know of a handful of vegetables—corn, peas, green beans, carrots, potatoes—and cringe at the sight of them.

I want them to love food, whether it’s plant or animal, fresh or fried. If they know new ways to eat it, the possibilities are endless.

My eyes lose focus as Tucker carries on with Kaya. His comfort with her… makes my heart warm and melty.

When I got him back, Tucker was angry and scared. All the time. It broke my damn heart. But he had a reason to be furious, to be frightful. Brianna treated him worse than trash. She used him. Left him on his own for days with no promise of returning. Convinced him I didn’t want or love him. Brianna perpetuated the lie enough that Tucker believed her. It took months of therapy and me constantly proving I would be there to disprove her lies.

After the damage she caused, I worried Tucker would have trust issues. Being with Mom often helped, Abigail too. Having loving feminine figures in his life has been the biggest saving grace. Adding Kaya into the fold has been life changing.

Tucker smiles, laughs, and comes alive more since Kaya entered the picture. As do I.

Her leg nudges mine beneath the table. “You’re staring,” she whispers then chuckles. Her cheeks flush as she clamps her lips between her teeth, fighting a smile.

I lean in and lower my voice. “You’re mine to stare at, Fire Eyes.”

With a roll of her eyes, she shakes her head. “At leasttryto be inconspicuous.”

Wiping my hands and mouth with a napkin, I pinch her chin between my fingers, turn her until we’re nose to nose, close the distance between us, and chastely kiss her. Beside us, Tuckermakes kissy sounds. “Not a chance.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “You’re also mine to kiss. Best everyone knows that.”

Her blush darkens to a beautiful shade of red as she lifts a hand to her lips. “Yeah, I suppose so.” This time, she doesn’t fight her smile.

With full bellies, the kids fill take-out boxes and clean up the room.

Kaya removes her chef’s coat and stows it in her bag before shouldering it. “I should get going. Finger-painting day at the rec center.” She winces. “Thank goodness it’s water-based, or I’d never get it out of my clothes.”

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