Page 12 of Butcher's Honor

"How long?" Tommy asks.

"Twelve minutes."

He looks at me hopefully. "Will you stay until they're done? Please?"

I should say no. Should make up an excuse about club business. Should maintain some distance from this dangerous warmth growing in my chest.

"Alright," I hear myself say instead. "But only if I get first pick."

"Deal!" Tommy holds out his hand solemnly, and I shake it, careful to be gentle.

Ruby starts cleaning up, and I find myself helping without being asked. We move around each other in the small kitchen, and I'm hyper-aware of every time we brush against each other, every shared glance, every small smile.

"You're good with him," she says softly while Tommy draws pictures at the table.

"Kids are easier than adults. They don't pretend to be something they're not."

"Is that what I'm doing?" she asks, looking up at me. "Pretending?"

"No." I hold her gaze. "You're one of the most genuine people I've ever met. It's... refreshing."

She steps closer, and I catch the scent of vanilla and something uniquely her.

"Even though I'm probably nothing like the women you usually spend time with?"

"Especially because of that."

The timer dings, making us both jump. Tommy cheers as Ruby pulls out perfectly golden cookies, the chocolate chips still glistening.

"They have to cool," she warns as Tommy reaches for one.

"Just a few minutes," I add, backing her up. "Good things are worth waiting for."

She sets the cookies on a cooling rack, and Tommy watches them like a hawk, periodically asking if they're ready yet. I find myself settling at their small kitchen table, oddly comfortable in this domestic scene that should feel foreign to me.

"Now?" Tommy asks for the fifth time.

Ruby laughs. "Yes, baby. Now they're cool enough."

He grabs three cookies, carefully placing one in front of me and one for his mom before sitting down with his own. I notice he's given me the one with the most perfectly placed chips.

"You have to dip it in milk," he informs me seriously. "That's the rules."

Ruby's already pouring three glasses.

"Can't break the rules," she agrees, her eyes twinkling.

I dip half of the cookie in the milk and then take a bite, and damn if it isn't the best cookie I've ever had. Soft in the middle, slightly crisp on the edges, with chocolate that's still warm enough to melt.

"Good?" Tommy asks anxiously.

"Better than good, kid. You two could sell these."

His face lights up. "Mommy, can we? Can we have a cookie store?"

"Maybe someday," she says, running a hand through his hair.

I notice he's blinking more slowly now, the day's excitement catching up with him.

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