Page 109 of Crossroads of Love

“You did what?” She giggles as she leans forward and grins.

“I have dinner ready.” I smile back at her. “It’s been a rough few weeks for both of you, and I wanted to take care of my two favorite girls.”

She makes a sad face in a way before she stands and walks over to me.

“You’re seriously the best, most thoughtful human in the world.”

“Aw shucks, I do what I can,” I say playfully.

She sits on my lap and wraps her arms around my neck before leaning in and gently kissing me. “I am so grateful for you.”

Tonight might not be the best time, but it’s the right time for what I need to do.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Lena

Gavin has been incredible throughout all this mess. Now, as the three of us move about the farmhouse and I smell the amazing food he cooked for us, I can’t help but grin widely.

I glance at Jayla, who’s perched on the couch, flipping through some book, and her eyes meet mine with a little twinkle. She’s been like this since we got here, sneaking glances at Gavin as he works in the kitchen, whispering with him when she thought I wasn’t paying attention.

“Do you think it’s safe to eat?” she asks me with a smirk.

“Well, if you don’t trust him, I guess I’ll have to test it first,” I tease.

Jayla grins and hops off the couch, rushing ahead of me into the kitchen. I follow more slowly, trying to hide the weird nervousness in my chest. Gavin’s never cooked a full meal for us before, not like this. He usually leaves the kitchen duties to me, saying he’s no master chef, but today, he insisted. And now, withthe soft clatter of dishes and the smell of seared steak in the air, I’m more than a little curious.

As I step into the kitchen, I find the table already set and Gavin standing there, beaming like he’s just conquered Mount Everest. There’s a platter with perfectly grilled steaks, a big bowl of salad with bright greens and chunks of ripe tomatoes, and fluffy baked potatoes, all lined up neatly. A basket of warm bread rolls is nestled between them, and to my surprise, a pie is even cooling on the counter.

“Wow.” It’s all I can manage as I take it all in. My eyes find him, and he gives me that familiar crooked grin that never fails to make my heart skip a beat.

“I told you to sit,” he says, pulling out a chair for me with a mock bow. “You and Jayla deserve a break tonight.”

I shake my head, already moving toward the silverware drawer. “Gavin, at least let me set the table. You’ve done enough…”

“Nope. Sit.” He gently steers me toward the chair, guiding me to sit before I can protest. His hands are warm on my shoulders, and when I look up at him, there’s something soft in his eyes. Something that makes my chest tighten in the best way possible. “Just rest for once. Let me take care of you two.”

I exchange a glance with Jayla, who’s already slid into her chair with a giggle, clearly loving this rare pampering from Gavin. Reluctantly, I settle in, folding my hands in my lap. It feels strange not to be helping, not to be in charge of everything like usual, but at the same time… it feels nice. So nice.

Gavin moves around the kitchen like he’s been doing this all his life, serving up steaks, piling salad onto our plates, and making sure everything’s just right. He even asks Jayla how she wants her potato—sour cream and cheese for her, butter for me—and he does it all without breaking that easy smile.

“Anything else, your highnesses?” he asks once we’re all served, setting down the last dish and taking his seat across from us.

I can’t help but laugh. “Okay, okay. I admit it, you’ve outdone yourself. This looks amazing.”

Jayla, her mouth already half full of steak, nods enthusiastically. “So good, Uncle G! You should cook more often.”

He chuckles, cutting into his own steak. “Don’t get used to it, kid. This is a special occasion.”

I feel a little flutter at that, my eyes flicking to him, but he’s focused on his food, so I push the feeling down. It’s not like Gavin to make a big deal out of things, but tonight feels… different.

It’s so different from what I’m used to that it almost feels weird to accept.

We eat, and the conversation flows easily, the way it always does with Gavin and Jayla. She tells him about her day at school, about how her teacher called her “a little genius,” and he listens like it’s the most important thing he’s ever heard. I sit back, taking it all in.

It’s been so long since someone’s done that for me. Since someone’s made me feel like I could just… rest. Like I didn’t have to handle everything on my own.

When dinner’s over, I start to stand, already thinking about the dishes, but Gavin’s hand shoots up.

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