Page 99 of Catching Feelings

Rowan gives me a funny look, which I ignore.

“There isn’t room on this tiny couch for you, big guy. But I’ll share.”

“That lasagna has my name on it, and I wouldn’t want to disturb your injury, so I’ll sit at the table with Rowan. That okay?” I ask Rowan.

She blinks a few times before nodding.

“Great.” It only takes two strides to cross to the cabinet. I take down two plates and open a drawer that I know keeps the forks and other utensils. “How big a piece do you want, Doc?”

“I, uh, was going to make a salad.”

“I got you. Have a seat while I make it.” I open the fridge and take out a bag of lettuce. Opening the crisper, I find an array of vegetables. “What would you like in it?”

“You don’t have to—”

“You’ve been on your feet all day, and by the looks of it”—I nod toward the dirty dishes in the sink—“you whipped up a lasagna then headed out into the cold for Chinese.”

“It’s Thai. My sister won’t eat Chinese.”

“Do you know the amount of MSG and added crap that’s in Chinese food?” Natalie whines from the couch. For a moment, I imagined Rowan and me alone, having a nice dinner. Wishful thinking.

“What’s MSG? Magical sensational goodness? Because that’s what I call a pupu platter. To be fair, I only ordered one when I was a kid because of the name. But it’s still my favorite.”

Rowan covers her grin with her hand and takes out a cutting board. “You can take out a cucumber, red pepper, and mushrooms, if that’s okay. And I have a jar of marinated artichoke hearts, if you like them.”

“Marinated?” Natalie whines from the couch. “Do you know how much oil they pack in those jars? You should get the canned ones. Or better yet, fresh.”

Rowan lowers her head and takes out a knife. I reach for it and motion for her to sit at the table next to me.

“Take a load off, Doc.” Even if she didn’t have purple smudges under her eyes, I can read the exhaustion in her shoulders. How slowly she moves. The lack of vibrancy in her eyes.

Could be work. Could be because of me and my assery. Could be because of her sister. Most likely it’s a combination of all of the above. The least I can do is be here for her, whether she wants me to be or not.

“I can help.”

“You already did by making this amazing lasagna. I hope you weren’t planning on having any leftovers, because I may devour the entire dish.” I chop up the cucumber and toss it in the bowl with the lettuce and pepper.

“I don’t think evenyoucould polish all this off in one sitting.”

“Well then, guess I better come back tomorrow to take care of the rest.” I set the salad bowl on the table and a bottle of dressing I found in the fridge next to her plate.

“My water glass is empty, Rowan.”

When Rowan goes to stand, I place a hand on her shoulder, keeping her in her chair. “Serve up. I’ll be right back.”

I don’t look at Natalie when I grab her glass, and don’t speak to her when I set it back down on the table next to her. I’m sure she’s in pain, uncomfortable, and probably bored out of her mind, but I’m not here to entertain her. I’m here to help Rowan. And if that means waiting on her self-centered sister, then that’s what I’ll do.

“I’m finished with my food. I’m so full already.” Natalie hands me her plate, still full of the food Rowan served her, and I carry it back to the counter.

If she wasn’t going to eat, there was no need to send Rowan out all over town for Thai food. I bite back my thoughts and drop to the seat across from Rowan. After I dump salad on my plate, I set the bowl on the counter and serve our lasagna.

With her kitchen space being so small and my wingspan being so long, I don’t even have to get up from the table.

I like the cozy space. My knees press into Rowan’s, and when she tries to scoot back, I hook my foot around the leg of her chair, keeping her close.

“This is amazing,” I say after swallowing my first bite of lasagna. “Is there anything you’re not good at?”

I love how her cheeks turn pink but hate how she lowers her head in embarrassment. My fun, flirty friend is gone, replaced by a shell of a woman. My heart breaks for her and the way her family treats her. She’s nothing but kind and good and self-sacrificing, which makes me want to spoil her all the more.

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