Page 39 of Gaga for the Gargoyle
“How do I know what’s real and what’s the fated mate bond?”
“Because if you didn’t have any attraction or feelings for me, the bond would know, and it would weaken and eventually break. You’d no longer stand to be near me. Is that how you feel?”
“Well, no.” She lets out a shuddering breath. “I’m just...scared. I spent years in an abusive relationship. I signed up for that fucking app because I wanted something fun and casual. I didn’t want to be tied down to another man. Or gargoyle.”
She smiles briefly before her thoughts get the best of her.
“I’m...overwhelmed. Can we not talk about this anymore? All I want to do is snuggle on the couch with you and watch a movie.”
“That sounds like the perfect way to end this night. Are you hungry? I’d love to cook for you.”
Her eyes light up. “I knew you could cook.”
I shrug. “I’m not bad. What do you want to eat?”
“Surprise me.”
She trusts me to cook her dinnerandchoose which meal to make? I’m both honored and nervous about getting it right.
“Do you want something to drink?”
“I can get it,” she says and walks to the cabinet where I keep wine glasses.
I get to work, and Evangeline moves around my kitchen as if the penthouse is already her home.It’s hers if she wants it.She pours two glasses of wine—one for me and one for herself—then leans against the island to watch me.
“Like what you see?”
“Yes,” she purrs.
“What are you going to do about it?”
She giggles. “Nothing because I’m hungry. I’ll just enjoy the show.”
I consider stripping to cook in the nude andreallygiving her a show, but the moment I set out the ingredients for chicken tacos, Evangeline’s eyes light up with excitement.
“Tacos are my favorite!”
I wondered why I had a sudden craving for tacos.
“Are they yours too?”
My favorite food? That’s a tough one. Living for one thousand years, I’ve come to love many meals.
“Tacos are in my top five, at least. However, I’d say coq au vin is my favorite. It’s a classic French dish. It’s something my mother used to make for family dinners.”
“I’ve never had French food.”
“Really?”
“My ex didn’t like to try new things. What is the coq au vin dish?”
“Well, it’s chicken braised with red burgundy wine. It has lardon—that’s pork fat—mushrooms, and garlic.”
“Aside from the mushrooms, that sounds fantastic.”
I dump the chicken into a pan and season it, and while it sears, I place the shells on a plate and put toppings in bowls: cheese, sour cream, salsa, guac.
“Favorite color?” I ask while chopping the tomatoes and keeping this game of get-to-know-you going.
