Page 125 of Begin Again

He holds up his hands in surrender, but the playful gleam in his eyes tells me he’s not done being a menace just yet. And honestly? I don’t want him to be.

So, before he can do anything else, I grab his wrist and pull him into a spin, ducking under our arms as I twirl him around.

He stumbles, laughing. “Did you just turn chopping carrots into a dance break?”

His hands naturally settle on my waist, like they belong there. Maybe they do.

I smirk up at him, knowing exactly what I’m doing. “What can I say? I’m a multitasker.”

His gaze flicks down to my lips, and my breath catches.

“You’re ridiculous,” he murmurs, but he’s grinning as he leans down, his forehead pressing against mine.

“Ridiculously charming, you mean,” I whisper back, letting my lips brush against his in the lightest, most teasing of kisses.

And then, because the universe hates me, someone clears their throat. Loudly.

We both pull back, and I already know who it is before I even turn.

Bennett.

He’s leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, smirking like the devil himself. “Am I interrupting, or is this part of the game night prep?”

I don’t step away from Theo—not completely—but I do shoot Bennett a flat look. “You’re early.”

“And yet, somehow, right on time for my favorite game—cock blocking,” he says with a wink, stepping fully into the kitchen. He grabs a baby carrot from the tray Theo’s been working on and pops it into his mouth.

Theo sighs, clearly long-suffering. “Do you just show up to raid other people’s kitchens?”

“Family perks. Get used to it,” Bennett says around a mouthful of carrots.

I arch a brow, crossing my arms. “Family perks? Last I checked, Theo’s your cousin. That doesn’t mean you get to steal from my kitchen.”

Bennett shrugs. “Close enough.” He gestures lazily between me and Theo, eyes twinkling with amusement. “So, this is your thing, huh? Dancing while cooking. Very domestic.”

Theo quirks an eyebrow. “Jealous?”

Bennett doesn’t even hesitate. “Not in the slightest.” He grabs another carrot like the gremlin he is. “I’d burn water. But hey, if it works for you two, I’m not judging.”

I snort, turning back to check on the sauce. “That’s rich coming from the guy who’s probably never cooked a meal in his life.”

“Excuse you,” Bennett says, feigning offense. “I’ve mastered the fine art of ordering takeout.”

“Hopeless,” Theo mutters, shaking his head.

“Hopelessly charming,” Bennett corrects, mimicking my earlier tone.

I throw a carrot at him. He catches it. And for the first time in a long time, everything feels light.

Before I can respond, the kitchen door swings open again, and Celeste walks in, looking exasperated but amused. “Oh, thank God,” she says dramatically. “I needed to get away from the sexual tension in the living room.”

I snort, setting down the last plate. “Why am I not surprised?”

Celeste immediately grabs a cookie before they’ve even cooled, ignoring my pointed glare. “Seriously, though. It’s bad. If I have to hear one more not-so-subtle innuendo, I might scream.”

Bennett snickers, shaking his head. “We just need to lock them in a room together to get it out of their system. It’s ridiculous at this point.”

“Feels like it,” Celeste agrees, taking another bite of cookie. Then she turns her attention to me and Theo, narrowing her eyes. “And you two aren’t any better, by the way.”

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