Page 151 of Can You Take It?

“That I am. What’s cooking?”

I roll my eyes. “Lasagna, if it doesn’t end up burning.”

“So, is this going to be the new normal?” he teases, probably because I still haven't said yes to moving in with him.

“Is what going to be the new normal?”

“You, making dinner and me coming home to you every night.” His eyes sparkle with amusement, even as he catches my annoyed expression.

“Don’t get used to it,” I say, looking up at him. “I’m not exactly Susie Homemaker.”

He laughs, stepping closer and placing a gentle kiss on my lips. “Smells amazing,” he murmurs against my mouth.

I smile at him. “Thanks. I think.”

He pulls back, searching my face. “Is something wrong?”

“No,” I lie, turning back to the counter. “Just this stupid lasagna.”

He chuckles, moving closer and wrapping his arms around my waist. “You got this. And if it’s a disaster, we’ll order pizza.”

I laugh. “Yeah, okay.”

Richard’s eyes soften as he looks at me. “You know, I’ve been thinking.”

“Uh-oh,” I say, grinning. “That’s dangerous.”

“Funny. No, really. I’ve been thinking... maybe this isn’t just about the lasagna. You look a little off.”

I pause, my hands stilling over the sauce-splattered counter. My stomach does a weird flip, and for a second, I debate whether to shrug it off with another joke or actually say what’s on my mind, but I can't do that. “I guess... I’ve just been thinking too.”

Richard’s eyebrows raise slightly. “About?”

“Everything. Us. This... whatever this is.” I gesture vaguely at the kitchen, the lasagna, him wrapped around me. “It’s all kind of... fast.”

He’s quiet for a moment, and I can feel his chin rest on the top of my head. “Does that freak you out?”

I snort. “Doesn’t it freak you out? We’ve only known each other for a while, and now suddenly, you want me to move in?”

Richard turns me around gently, his hands on my hips. His face is serious now, no trace of the teasing grin from before. “Yeah, I do. I’m not the type to drag my feet when I know what I want. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”

His words should make me swoon, but instead... “You’re not just saying that because of everything that’s happened, right?”

“No, Izel. I mean it. I love you. I want this. Us.”

I nod, pushing the doubts aside. “Okay.”

He lifts my chin, making me look into his eyes. “You’re not alone anymore. We’re in this together. Whatever comes next, we face it together.”

I don’t respond. It’s becoming harder by the second to keep up the act. Dating a profiler is like walking a tightrope over apit of razor blades—one wrong move, one slip, and everything comes crashing down. Richard can read people like an open book, and lying to him is nearly impossible unless you’re exceptionally good at it. Luckily, I’ve been good at it since day one.

I look into his eyes, wanting to look away because twelve hours from now, he’s not going to have this look in his eyes. He’s probably going to regret everything he’s said and put the cuffs on me for real this time. It’s strange how two people can maintain eye contact while having completely different thoughts running through their minds. The worst part is not knowing what’s really going on in the mind of the person in front of you.

His eyes are filled with love and hope, but mine... mine are hiding a storm of fear and guilt. It’s like staring into a mirror and seeing two different reflections. He sees a future together, a partnership against the world. I see an inevitable end, a betrayal he won’t see coming until it’s too late.

When the timer finally goes off, we are pulled out of our intense eye contact.

Richard kisses me again, slower this time, making my toes curl. “Now, let’s see how this lasagna turns out.”

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