Page 20 of When Love Comes Home

"So, about the room," she says. "It's yours if you still want it. And I’d really like to teach you how to cook."

"I'll check out of the hotel tomorrow," I say, shooting her a smile before cracking my knuckles. "So, how do you make spaghetti?"

***

"How does it taste?" I ask, holding the spoon up to Katie's lips with a grin.

"Not bad for your first try at homemade spaghetti sauce," she smiles, clearly impressed.

"You've got a little bit of sauce right there," I say, pointing at the corner of her lips.

"Right here?" she jokes, wiping the wrong side of her mouth.

"No," I say, trying not to laugh, "The other side."

"Here?" she laughs, still wiping the wrong spot, pretending to be oblivious to where I’m pointing.

"If you can’t find it," I tease, "I’m going to have to tickle you until you do.”

Her eyes widen with mock horror, and she tries to pull away, but I’m too quick. I reach for her side, my fingers grazing her waist. She lets out a surprised squeal, squirming away as she laughs.

"Stop! No fair!" she gasps, trying to dodge me.

But I catch her, pulling her close. She wriggles, laughing uncontrollably, begging me to stop, but the sound of her laughter only makes me want to keep going.

"Are you going to cooperate?" I tease, squeezing her tighter.

"Okay, okay!" she laughs, breathless. "You win. It's right here," she finally says, wiping the corner of her mouth.

I stop, smiling down at her, and with my thumb, I gently wipe the spot where the sauce had been.

"Yeah, all gone," I murmur.

An hour passes in what feels like minutes—each moment with Katie slipping away as effortlessly as wine flowing from a bottle. Every laugh, every word she speaks seems to stretch time, and yet, it’s gone before I’m ready for it to be. I try to focus on my plate, but every time I glance up, her smile pulls me in like a magnet. Her words sink into me in a way no conversation ever has, each laugh of hers sparking something in me that I didn’t know I was missing. I can’t seem to tear my eyes away. She’s… different. More than I expected. More than I want to admit.

My mind fights with itself, my thoughts veering dangerously off course as I look at her. She’s Jon’s daughter, my best friend’s kid. I try to latch onto that fact, but the tug of something deeper between us keeps pulling at me, threatening to unravel everything I’ve built in my head. She's family… isn't she?

The thought of Jon knowing—really knowing—shifts something in me. My chest tightens, and I feel a cold, unsettling tug in my gut. What would he say? What would he do if he found out that what I’m feeling for Katie is anything but familial? The fear of losing everything is almost too much to bear.

Side by side, our hands brush as we pass the soap and dishes, and for a split second, it feels like more than just washing up. The quiet rhythm of it pulls me closer, and I feel the weight of her presence beside me—how natural it feels, like we’ve always belonged here together. Her hand lingers on mine for a beat too long, and I don’t know if it’s intentional, but my heart stutters anyway. The words come so easily, like we’ve been doing this for years, and the steady rhythm of our voices is as comfortable as the water running from the faucet. But it’s her laugh that keeps me grounded. It rings out like a melody, playful and bright, and it’s impossible not to be drawn in. Every note seems to settle in the space between us, weaving around me like a thread I can’t escape.

Her scent, soft and floral, clings to the air, and with every breath I take, it fills my chest, drawing me in further. It’s a quiet pull, but one I can’t ignore, the kind that stirs something deep within me, making it harder to think, harder to breathe, with every passing second.

There’s no denying it—not to myself, not to anyone. The truth feels heavy in my chest, and for the first time, I don’t try to push it away. It’s there, unshakable, pulsing with every beat of my heart. God, I love her.

When it's time to say goodnight, Katie walks me to the door, a soft smile on her lips. I step into the threshold, but before I can step out, I turn to face her, feeling an urge to stay a moment longer.

"Before I forget," I say, looking into her eyes, my heart racing, wanting nothing more than to kiss her goodnight. I clear my throat instead, reminding myself of the distance we still need to bridge. "Please submit the offer for the condo. It’s a good deal."

My words hang in the air, but the tension between us feels heavier than anything I’ve said. She nods, but neither of us moves, and for a moment, the quiet says more than our words ever could.

"Goodnight, Adam," she says, her gaze lingering on mine.

"Goodnight, Katie," I whisper, and before I can think twice, I lean in and press a soft kiss to her cheek.

Chapter 10

Katherine

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