Page 58 of Made for You

“Count on it.” I look up at him, leaning my face to his.

“I hate to say this, but I have to get back to work. Dinner again?”

“I’m making soup for tonight, what’s your favorite? I’ll make sure to save you some.” I wrap my around his waist, relishing the feeling of being in his arms again.

“How about white chicken chili?” He rests his hands on my ass, and the naturalness of this conversation feels so right. Like we’ve done this our whole life.

“You got it. I’ll be waiting for you.” I stand on my tiptoes and kiss his lips.

The kiss ends all too fast, he must be serious about needing to get back to work. But I walk back out into the sunshine with a smile on my face because I know I’ll see him later and he isn’t pulling away from me.

And there’s kittens. No one can be sad or mad when there are kittens.

When I get back, Emma is in the kitchen, standing by the toaster.

“Are you waiting on another bagel?” I say startling her.

“Who says I ate one already?” She pouts at my accusation.

“The smear of cream cheese on your cheek!” I laugh, pointing to the right side of her face where a line of white cream cheese goes across her cheek.

She puts her hand to her face to feel for the evidence, “Okay fine. So what, I’m having two bagels.” She pulls the bagel from the toaster.

“I wasn’t judging. I have been known to eat two of everything I make.” I shrug and open the refrigerator to make sure I have everything I need to make white chicken chili for Liam.

Emma walks up behind me, reaching over my shoulder to grab the tub of cream cheese. “You were gone for quite some time.”

“Liam has kittens! Did you know that he had kittens, or even a cat?” I ask her, hoping she feels the same shock I do.

“Oh yeah, he’s a total cat dude. He lets all the strays in and feeds them. He claims it’s because they keep the mice out of the barn, but he snuggles them while he works. He’s been known to let Midnight, the mama cat, snuggle on his shoulders while he works.” She takes a bite of her bagel, “This is fucking amazing. I can’t believe he even let you back there.”

“Oh he was secretive and covered up whatever it was before I could get back there. I think the kittens were to distract me. What is it? Why can’t anyone see?” I pull out the cilantro, the last of what I need to make the chili.

“I’m definitely not telling and going against Liam’s wishes. I want a kitten. And he’s threatened to hide them if I tell anyone. You know how he is, he wants to make sure he can succeed before he tells the world. If he even tells the world. He’d go the rest of his life keeping his entire life under wraps.” She walks over to look at the pile of ingredients.

“White chicken chili,” I state.

“What’s a girl gotta do around here to get her favorites?” She pouts.

“Stay here and run interference when Alexander gets back.” I pull out the pot I need from the cabinet.

“He is fine. I would absolutely do that.” She winks at me, “But I guess you’re stuck with Liam, even if you did go on a date with Alexander the other day.”

“It wasn’t a date. He wanted to go snowshoeing and needed someone to show him around. Besides, I have no idea how to read him. He gives off a sketchy vibe a majority of the time.I know him. I know that I know him. And he won’t give any indication that we know each other.”

“How do you know him?” She’s gone back to her bagel on the other side of the island.

“I don’t know, that’s why I want him to admit that I do, so he can tell me how. I tried to ask him, but all he wanted to talk about was the inn, and Balsam Cliffs.”

This piques her interest. “What was he asking?”

“Just about the area, history of the inn, Liam, and housing. Oh, and if I miss having everything I could ever need right at my fingertips like in New York City.”

Emma is frowning at me.

“Why are you frowning?”

“No reason. That’s just weird. Now I agree with you. Could he be here stalking you? Maybe that’s why he looks familiar and you don’t know where from.” She gives me a knowing look.

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