Page 18 of Mac
"Coffee would be amazing."He sat and watched her move around the room.Her light weigh dress spun and flared around her legs, making him want to run his hand up them and see if they were as smooth and soft as they looked.She kept a running chatter as she moved around the room, pulling things from the fridge and out of cabinets.
"You like it black, right?"Elyse set a full mug in front of him after a few minutes, having used one of those fancy single cup coffee makers to make it.Mac had considered one of those but decided he drank too much coffee to be bothered to make more every time he wanted a refill.
"I do."He waited until she'd gone back to the stove before picking up the cup and taking a drink.He glanced at the cup and took a second drink.Maybe he'd get one of those fancy pots after all.This was pretty good.Or maybe it was something about the company that made it taste better.
Mac had made it half-way through the coffee when Elyse set a plate in front of him and a bottle of syrup on the table.
"Dig in."
He glanced at the plate then at her."Where's yours?"
"Not quite done yet but eat yours while it's hot."
"I'll wait.Thanks."There was no way he was going to let her cook for him, and not wait until she could eat with him.What was the point in coming over here if he didn't get to eat with her?
"You sure?I don't mind, really."She went back to the stove where she flipped the slices still in the skillet.
"I do.I'll wait until you're done and can join me."
"Have it your way."She shook her head then finished cooking and turned off the stove.When she brought her plate to the table and sat across from him, Mac waited for her to use the syrup then added some to his plate and picked up his fork.
Flavor exploded in his mouth, making him close his eyes for just a moment.He was instantly reminded of Ma's French toast.He'd never had anyone's who tasted so much like hers.
For a moment, he saw her sitting across the table, watching him with the familiar smile he hadn't seen in more than twenty years.He felt tears prickle his eyes and took a deep breath and found it had to be forced past an uncomfortable lump in his throat.His ears rang and Mac had to set down his fork and focus on his breathing.In and out.
"Are you okay?"Elyse's voice sounded like it was far away.
Mac forced himself to nod.He took a deep breath and forced himself to breathe slowly.When he'd regained his composure, he took a breath and blew it out before picking up his fork once more.
"Are you sure you're okay?"Elyse was watching him, carefully.
"I'm all right."He forced himself to smile to reassure her."This is really good.I just wasn't prepared for how good it is, how much like my ma's French toast this is.It's been a really long time since I've tasted anything like this."Mac took another bite, but this time he was prepared for the taste and it didn't send the same wave of overwhelming emotion that he'd just suffered.He was able to enjoy it without having to stop like he had before."I might have to get you to teach me to make this too.It's really good."He finished eating without saying much more.
"You cook?"Her brows lifted in surprise.
"I can.It's not my favorite thing, but eventually you get tired of eating out."Mac lifted one shoulder as he lifted his gaze to Elyse."I do okay, but I'm no five-star chef."
"I'd be happy to show you.It's not difficult."
Mac stood, picking up his plate and taking it to the sink.
"Would you like more?"
He would, but he didn't want to ask or admit how much he wanted more.He could wait until she had time to teach him.
"I'm good.Thank you though."The last thing he needed was to have another attack of memory, he didn't need her to see him in the middle of a moment of weakness like that.He drained the last of the coffee from his mug and set it in the sink with the other dishes."You want me to help with these?"He looked back to where Elyse still sat, watching him.
"No, I'll take care of them.You sure you don't want some more?I can toss a few more slices in the pan, it's no big deal."
"No, I'm good.Thank you though.It was really good and like I said, I'd love if you'd teach me to make it."
"Sure, no problem.I'll write down the recipe."Elyse stood and went into another room, coming back a few moments later with a pen and note card in hand."This won't take me but a minute."She sat in her chair and bent over the task.
Mac found himself watching her, his mind drifting.He wondered what her hair would smell like.He knew if he kissed her now, she'd taste like cinnamon and syrup, but somehow that thought only made him want to kiss her more.
"Here you are."Elyse extended one hand in his direction.It held the 3 x 5 card she'd retrieved from the other room, only now it was covered in a small, neat print.
Mac accepted the card, scanned it and noticed it called for half and half instead of milk, but nothing else he'd have to buy special for the meal.That wasn't so bad.If he started keeping half and half, he could make it any time.As long as it hadn't been opened, the milk product lasted a long time, but it wouldn't last that long, he knew, not for a long while.
