Page 12 of Divine

I smiled, deciding that it might be OK to play nice.

“I want you to try something,” I said walking over to the small cup with the carrot cake smoothie mixture in it.

“What is it?” he asked apprehensively.

“A new smoothie I’m trying out for the shop,” I revealed.

“You ain’t trying to slip me a roofie are you?”

“Wow. I’m insulted.”

“Now you see how I felt when you tried to little boy me outside.”

“I’m sorry. I’m trying to make it up to you.”

He narrowed his eyes but kept them on me as he took a sip from the cup. He nodded in approval.

“It’s good.”

“What does it taste like?” I asked.

“Maybe like a spice cake or pumpkin something.”

“Close.” I nodded, knowing that it still needed a little work. At least the flavors were good.

“What flavor is it?”

“It’s supposed to be carrot cake,” I revealed.

“Oh yeah, it’s pretty close. I used to love carrot cake. Do you have a blueberry muffin flavor? That would slap.”

“Not yet. Maybe I will add it to the menu.”

“You should. What are you cooking?” he asked, looking over my shoulder at the stove.

“Potato soup. I made enough to share if you want some.” I filled him in.

“Sure. How about you get us set up wherever you want to eat at, and I’ll get dessert started.”

Rolling my eyes playfully, I told him, “I like how you just come in here giving orders.”

“Thank you, Cookie. I have no issue taking charge.”

“Don’t get too comfortable bossing me around. I’m only listening to you right now because you brought cookies,” I warned him as I removed a pan from under the sink and placed it on the counter for him to use.

A panty soaking smile parted his lips. His pearly white teeth and crooked smile were threatening to send me to my maker as my heart drummed wildly in my ears.

“I appreciate the small wins,” he said.

“This is my mom’s recipe. She owns a restaurant in town,” I said as I went back to my task of getting the bread bowls filled with more soup to warm it up a little before adding more toppings.

I cut up some green onion and topped everything off with a dollop of sour cream. Liam seemed to be in his own world when I turned to face him. I watched for a second as he strategically placed various candies on top of the cookies evenly distributed across the top of the pan. I couldn’t wait to try whatever he was making. I was serious about that sweet tooth.

“What would we do, baby, without us? What would we do, baby, without us? Sha na na naaa,” he sang under his breath as he worked.

“You likeFamily Ties?” I asked with a small smile.

“Uh, yeah. I used to anyway. I don’t remember the last time I saw it.”

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