Page 26 of Cozy Girl Fall
Before she knew it, she’d been sitting in the car for five minutes in silence while her thoughts raced, but she knew it was time to get out when the curtains in the house across the street started twitching in curiosity. The last thing she needed was to be hauled out of the neighborhood for loitering.
The slam of the car door seemed too loud in the night air, the rushing of the river in the distance the only sound beyond the faint noise of television sets in the nearby houses. This was clearly a family-centric area and it made her wonder why Ethan had bought a place here. Had Shelby lived here with him? Had this been the place he’d thought they’d raise their children? Her stomach dropped and she licked her dry lips, wishing she could forget even thinking about it.
She snagged her bag of groceries from the trunk and tried her best to push away all thoughts of Ethan and Shelby and their hypothetical children. It was none of her business who he did or didn’t have kids with,especially because this isn’t a date.
The front door opened so quickly it made her freeze in place as relief made Ethan’s eyes widen and his smile grow bigger.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said lamely and then held up her bag of groceries for him to inspect.
“If the food is good, then I’ll leave it out of my report for Nicky,” he teased, stepping back so she could pass over the threshold and into his home.
It smelled like sandalwood inside, with high ceilings and warm lighting that made the place feel cozy in spite of the large space.
“I’ll show you to the kitchen.”
She followed him silently, taking in this space that was all Ethan’s; she was surprised to find she liked it. The finishings looked like real oak and there was just the right combination of cream walls versus pops of color in the soft furnishings—a purple throw on the sofa, a collage of photographs on the wall in the hallway. Part of her wondered if this was Shelby’s doing—but it seemed too … sedate for any home she imagined Shelby decorating.
The kitchen was big enough to fit the entirety of her parents’ first floor into, twice over, and Penny couldn’t help her wide eyes as she took in the stainless-steel appliances and sleek countertops. The space was inviting and already warm despite the oven and stovetop not being on and she was grateful she’d opted for short sleeves and a dark color to avoid looking like a sweaty mess. A collection of equipment was already laid out on the counter, presumably for her to use while cooking, the curve of the colander and straightlines of the trays putting her strangely at ease. This, at least, was familiar territory.
“You approve?”
“It’s gorgeous,” she said honestly and Ethan smiled.
“Thanks. I designed it myself.”
Her head snapped around so she could stare at him. “Tasha said you went to college.” Of course, how had she forgotten that he worked as a designer? She’d assumed that meant corporate building design, but apparently it translated to homes too.
He nodded. “Yeah, just the one in the city up past the new town. Architecture and art history, minoring in culinary art.”Culinary art?Her shock must have been written all over her face because he chuckled. “It’s where I met Nicky.”
“Why—”
“I wanted to understand you better,” he said, the words a little quiet and she shivered despite the comfortable temperature. “This was the thing you loved enough to choose it over me and I wanted to know what you felt. To understand.”
His words shook her and she bit her lip until she was sure her voice wouldn’t waver. The space felt too big around them, despite being full of furniture and gently lit by the soft overhead lights. Maybe it was just that Ethan’s words had left her feeling small, uncertain of her decision to leave. “That’s not really what happened. I didn’t leave because I loved cooking more than you, or Tasha. I just knew that you wouldn’t getit and that if I wanted to give myself a real shot at the career I wanted, I needed to go.”
This was not the way she’d wanted to have this conversation—though, admittedly, she hadn’t particularlywantedto have it at all.
“I’m not trying to make you feel bad,” he said softly. “Let’s just … Start over. OK? Welcome to my home, I’m happy you’re here.”
The breath in her body left her in a whoosh of relief. “I’m happy to be here too.”
Ethan smiled. “I have a confession to make,” he said and she fell still in her path around the island, fingertips brushing the cool stone. What more could he possibly have to say? “I know you brought groceries, but I thought we could make things a little more interesting.” He took a covered tray out of the fridge and set it down in front of her before removing the towel on the top.
“What’s this?”
“This,” he said, eyes lit up with mischief, “is your pick of ingredients for tonight.”
“What?”
He grinned. “I thought it would be fun to give you a challenge. Since you were late, let’s give you a time limit to prove your punctuality too. What do you think?”
What did she think? She needed a new job, and she desperately wanted the opportunity that Nicky could provide. “Sounds great.” Her eyes ran over the items on the silver tray before she frowned. It didn’t give hera lot to work with—six eggs, a variety of vegetables, and some veggie faux-bacon that lookedveryquestionable. “What about seasonings?”
“You can use whatever you want,” Ethan confirmed, leaning his hip against the island as he watched her. “But your main ingredients are here.”
“Do I have to use them all?”
“Yes.”
