Page 35 of Alpha & Omega

Next, he hefted a large watermelon.

“No!” I immediately said. “Put it back, King.”

He scoffed at me. “You’ve got a dirty mind,Harl. Seriously, I love this stuff. It was a cheap treat we often got while living in foster care.”

“Then I’ll make us a tasty watermelon and spinach salad, but you’ve got to carry the beast.”

He frowned and put it back, picking out a smaller one, making me laugh.

I grabbed a small pack of pepitas roasted withTajín, along with a bundle of spinach and arugula, for the salad. After I paid for them, I tossed them into my reusable bag.

“I’ve decided on lemon garlic shrimp and grits, along with your watermelon salad. How’s that sound?”

“It sounds like knowing you is going to get me fat.”

I chuckled. “It’s all fresh and homemade. Nothing overly fattening in my house. Besides…” I leaned into his ear. “…we can fuck off the calories.”

“A man after my own heart—deliciousfoodandsex.”

“I told you I was a romantic.”

We filled my bags with all the ingredients I would need for lunch and dinner tonight with Hudson. I also bought a nice scratch loaf of sourdough bread, some cheeses, and a bundle of flowering chives for a decorative centerpiece.

“Is Hudson eating with us?” Kingston asked when we walked inside my home.

“He texted that he’s hanging out with his best friend Oliver until later. I’m just seeing how it goes between us a bit longer before I introduce you two, if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. It makes sense. I like that you’re protective of him.”

We unpacked the groceries, and I pulled out all the tools I needed to cook.

“What do you need me to do?” he asked.

“If you could wash the fruits and veggies while I make the salad dressing, that would be really helpful. There’s some homemade veggie wash under the sink, and you can use the strainer sitting on the counter.”

Kingston set to wash everything as I grated garlic, some ginger root, and zested a lime into a small mason jar. I combined that with some olive oil, white wine vinegar, some salt and pepper, along with a touch of honey. I closed the jar and shook it until it was all emulsified before setting it aside.

“All washed. Now what?”

“Let’s chop.”

Together, we cored the watermelon and diced it into bite-sized chunks, tore up the spinach and arugula, and sliced cucumber. Kingston mixed it all into a bowl as I finely chopped some parsley and cilantro.

“Wow, that looks… healthy.”

I chuckled. “That’s the plan. My son gripes at me for not making him enough junk food.”

“I get that. Sometimes all you need is some cold pizza from the night before.”

My jaw dropped, feigning shock and horror. “I wouldnever…”

He laughed and leaned forward to kiss me. “I wouldn’t torture you like that.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’retookind.”

While Kingston helped me make lunch, I wasn’t sure how we managed to stay out of each other’s way, stealing kisses and talking about everything under the sun.

When our meals were ready, we sat at the kitchen table and dug in.

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