Page 22 of Cookbooks and Demons

“I guess just amazing bacon,” she said, picking it up to look at the screen and tap off the alarm. “Okay, I’m sorry, but I’ve got to get dressed for work.”

She grabbed up the fork and shoveled one of the perfect eggs whole into her mouth. She tried to repeat the process with the other egg, but it dripped with yolk because her tines pierced the underside. Quickly, she held it out to him. He obliged her, but this time she stood to lean in, which wobbled her off balance in her rush. He grabbed her hand to help steady her and the flavor intensified like before, like someone had upped her tastes buds from normal to eleven.

Keeping her eyes open this time, she watchedhis face.

Rafferty’s expression was all bliss, letting the drizzle of yolk leak down his chin. It brought Helena’s heart happiness to see it.It’s not being kind if it costs you nothing to do it,she thought, remembering one of her grandmother’s aphorisms. Once they swallowed, she let go and went to her bedroom to getdressed.

“I have to work today, but since it’s Friday, I won’t work the next two days. I figure you can just stay here for right now. You know, rest, watch some TV until I get home… would that be okay?” she said, shedding herpajamas.

“That would be fine,” he agreed from herdoorway.

“Geez!” she cried out, startled as she whirled naked toward him. “Get out!” She scrambled quickly to grab a used towel off the floor to coverherself.

Rafferty continued to stand there, cocking his head amused. “You’ve seen me in as little,” he commented.

“When were you last alive—the Stone Age? Get out!” sheshouted.

“1672,” he said simply, grinning. “The Age of Absolutism.”

“Yeah, well this is 2022, and this age requires absolute consent. Now get the hell out of my room!” she ordered, pointing tothe door.

He backed away, disappearing down the hall. “How’s this?”he asked.

“That’s good, but you know what would be better?” Helena crossed the few steps to her door to slamit shut.

Chapter 13

It Was a

Ton of Food

“Did you get a chance to call and make the appointments with the caterers?” Yosef asked. He was leaning over her new desk in Scarlet’s office, looking down at his clipboard of to-dos.

“I’ve called three of them so far,” Helena said, tapping her pen down on her notes. “I’ll do the other five here before I leave.” She glanced at her clock. There were two hours to go before the end ofthe day.

“Leave? Where are you going?” Yosef asked.

Helena cocked an eyebrow. “Home? At five? Like we normally do.”

Yosef pursed his lips. “Do you really think that is wise at this time?”

She noted his warning. “Well, so far we still have time to get everything done, and if we start pulling all-nighters before we need to, we’ll burn out too close to the finish line.”

Yosef continued to stare at her.

“I also have a friend visiting this weekend,”she said.

He narrowedhis eyes.

She narrowed hers in return. “And last I checked, I am the deputy for thisproject.”

He blew out an exasperated breath and straightened to swipe his clipboard off her desk. “Fine. Do what you want,” he said, whirling to go back to his own desk on the other side of the office.

With his back turned, Helena felt free to sigh herself before passing a glance over at Scarlet’s desk. It stood empty. Scarlet hadn’t even come in today, but that was the privilege of being the boss. No one to hold you accountable except yourself. Still, Helena wondered if she needed to talk to Scarlet about Yosef or if it was something that would only backfire if she tried. It was getting frustrating. Ever since Helena had taken over this project, it seemed like Yosef had challenged every one of her decisions, and she really wished he would stop.

I suppose this comes with the job,she thought as she picked up her office-designated landline and started dialing the nextcaterer.

“Hello, City’s Best Catering. How can I help you?”

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