Page 54 of Lavender and Honey

The drive to their home felt shorter than I remembered, my anticipation building with each passing mile. As I pulled up to the familiar house, I could already smell the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the air. Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I made my way to the front door.

Before I could even knock, the door swung open, revealing Elias with a broad smile on his face and a dusting of flour on his cheek. "You made it!" he exclaimed, his hazel eyes twinkling with genuine delight.

I couldn't help but return his infectious grin. "Well, I couldn't resist the promise of potentially burning down a kitchen, could I?"

Elias chuckled, stepping aside to let me in. "Don't worry, everything's still intact. For now." As I stepped inside, the warm aroma of baking enveloped me like a comforting hug.

Soren, who was just turning to walk into the living room, grinned at me, “Well, well, look who decided to grace us with her presence," he teased, his purple eyes gleaming with warmth.

I felt a blush creep up my cheeks as I met Soren's playful gaze. "Well, I couldn't resist the promise of being catered to," I quipped back, surprising myself with my boldness.

Soren's grin widened, a mischievous glint in his purple eyes. "Oh, we'll definitely be living up to that promise," he said, his voice low and warm.

Before I could respond, Elias gently placed his hand on the small of my back, guiding me towards the kitchen. "Come on, let's get you set up as our official taste tester," he said, his tone light but his touch sending a small shiver down my spine.

“Now sit here.” Elias set me at a stool that was beside the large island in the middle of the kitchen.

“First things first," he said, his hazel eyes sparkling with excitement. "You've got to try this." On the plate was a slice of what looked like freshly baked bread, golden and crusty, with adollop of deep purple jam on top. The aroma wafting from it was heavenly.

"Blackberry mint?" I guessed, remembering his earlier text.

Elias nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly. Go on, give it a try."

I picked up the slice, the bread still warm in my hands, and took a bite. The flavors exploded on my tongue - the tartness of the blackberries perfectly balanced by the subtle freshness of mint, all complemented by the hearty, rustic bread.

"Oh wow," I murmured, my eyes widening in delight. "This is incredible, Elias."

His face lit up at my praise, a warm glow of pride and happiness radiating from him. "I'm so glad you like it," he said softly, his hazel eyes holding mine for a moment longer than necessary.

Soren leaned against the counter, watching our interaction with an amused smirk. "Careful, Lydia. If you keep praising his cooking like that, his ego might get too big to fit in the kitchen.”

I laughed at Soren's teasing, the tension I had felt earlier melting away in the warmth of their easy banter. "I think his ego is well-deserved if everything tastes this good," I said, taking another bite of the bread and jam.

Elias shot Soren a playful glare. "Don't listen to him," he said to me with a wink. "He's just jealous because he can barely boil water without burning it."

I laughed softly. It was clear there was a deep bond between these men, despite their teasing.

"Hey now," Soren protested, pushing off from the counter to come closer. "I'll have you know I make an excellent cup of coffee."

"Pressing a button on a machine doesn't count as cooking, Soren," Elias retorted with a grin.

I couldn't help but giggle at their exchange, feeling more relaxed than I had in a long time. "Well, I for one am grateful forElias's cooking skills," I said, taking another bite of the delicious bread and jam.

"I'm glad you're enjoying it. I have a few more flavors for you to try if you're up for it." Elias told me, making me grin at the thought of all the things he could have made.

"Absolutely," I nodded eagerly. "What else do you have?" As Elias busied himself preparing more samples, Soren moved closer, his presence a warm, solid comfort at my side.

I could get used to this warm feeling of being here with them— we were just missing Finn and Lucian. Glancing back at the two, my smile grew. Yes, I definitely could get used to it.

Chapter Thirty-Four

The warm, inviting scent of roasted garlic floated through the air as Elias beckoned me closer to the stove. "Try this," he said, holding out a wooden spoon coated with a rich, amber-colored sauce. It simmered in the pan, bubbles lazily breaking the surface.

I leaned in, taking a tentative taste, and the flavors burst across my tongue— tomato, basil, a hint of sweetness. "It's wonderful," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper but carried by genuine surprise at the depth of flavor.

"Your palate is impressive," Elias complimented with a soft chuckle, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He wiped his hands on his apron, flour dusting the dark fabric. "Would you like to help me with the next dish? It could be fun."

"Me?" I hesitated, my fingers instinctively curling into the fabric of my scarf— a shield against the sudden surge of anxiety. Cooking had never been my forte. "I'm not exactly skilled in the kitchen."

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