Page 62 of Body Shot

She chuckles. “I haven’t been to many housewarming parties, so I think so. If nothing else, it’s very thoughtful.”

“I’m a thoughtful guy.” I grin. “Well, most of the time.”

“I’ve found you to be incredibly thoughtful.” She rests a hand on my thigh, and I slide mine into it.

“I do try. My mother would expect nothing less.”

“Are you close to your parents?”

“Yes. I mean, they live thousands of miles away and I’m only home for a month or two in the off-season, but Dad comes for the yearly Dads’ trip, and they almost always come for Christmas. It’s changed a little now that my sister has kids, but they’re all coming this year.”

“Oh, that sounds lovely.”

“What about you? You sound close to your parents.”

She nods. “Absolutely. I’m living at home again now, even though I hope to be able to move out within a year. I’m trying to decide if I want to move into an apartment or start saving so I can buy something.”

“I guess it depends on your goals,” I say. “If you need your privacy, moving out is probably best, but if you don’t care about that and living with your parents isn’t a hassle, I think saving for either a house or the proverbial rainy day is more important.”

“No, my parents are pretty chill. Mom says she’ll cook during the week but I’m on my own on the weekends.” She laughs. “And that’s fair.”

“Do you cook?”

“I do. I mean, I’m no Gordon Ramsay, but I won’t starve.”

“What’s your best dish?”

She pauses, chewing her lip. “I think my beef stroganoff is pretty fantastic. And the irony of that is—my dad hates it!”

“Who hates beef stroganoff? It’s creamy meat deliciousness. With rice or noodles or whatever. What is there to hate?”

“Right? My mom and I have been having that same conversation with him my entire life.”

We laugh together.

“Well, the good news is, it’s one of my favorites so you’re welcome to cook it for me any time.”

“Saturday night?”

“What?” He looks confused.

“Do you want me to make it for you on Saturday night? I’ll even feed Felix if he promises to go out afterward and give us some privacy.”

A woman who enjoys giving headandcan cook?

Yup, I’m in trouble.

“That sounds amazing,” I say. “Except we’ll have to eat somewhat early. I picked up tickets to see a comedy show, which starts at eight. I was going to surprise you, but if you’d rather not go, I’m sure I can offload the tickets to someone on the team.”

“Oh, not at all. That sounds fun! I’ll get it started early, and we can eat around six. That should give us plenty of time. Do you have a crockpot, or should I borrow one from Sloane? She was joking the other day about how they have three of them now that they’ve combined households and she barely uses one, much less three.”

“I don’t, but I can buy one,” I suggest. “Especially if there’s a chance you might cook for me again.”

“Anytime we’re together,” she nods. “I like to cook. I find it relaxing.”

“That’s how I feel about grilling. Felix hates it, says the smoke gives him asthma.”

“How can someone with asthma be a pro athlete?” she asks.

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