Page 15 of Fight For Us
“Oh, sorry. I got caught up in my love affair with the air conditioning unit. Do you think your mom could keep an eye on Alex for me tonight? My sister is bugging me to go to a girls night dinner and I’m sure he’d rather play with Lilly than be stuck sitting with my sister’s boyfriend.” She perched on the edge of my desk and fiddled with my pen holder, flipping the pens so they were all facing down.
“No need to ask my mom. I can watch him.” Lilly always seemed happier when she got to hang out with Alex.
“You don’t have to work late?”
“Nope, I’m heading home around the same time as you today.” I stretched my arms over my head, feeling the pull of my tight muscles. “I told Lilly we’d play some games after school. She’ll be psyched to have Alex join in.”
Olivia’s gaze followed the path of my arms and lingered on my hands. I brought them back to my desk and she seemed to come back to life. “As long as you’re sure…”
“Tiger,” I grumbled. “I said I’m sure. Alex is a cool kid and honestly, having him over helps me with Lilly. So what’s happening for girls night?” I lowered my tone and raised a brow.
“Knowing Mia, it’s probably something quiet like a movie and dinner. But if our friend Kendahl is planning, I’m in for a wild night.” She hugged her arms to her chest and I spotted goosebumps pebbled along her skin. “Okay, I take back my previous air conditioning comment. It’s icy in here.”
“I’d give you my coat, but I doubt you’d want it. It’s probably still damp with sweat.”
“I’ll be fine. I should head out and grab some lunch before the next rush.” She stood and took a step toward the door.
“You’re going out to buy food? You can eat anything you want. Just ask one of the guys or Thea to make you something.” Has she been spending money on eating out the whole time she’s worked here? I felt like a dumbass.
“I don’t want to bother them. Everyone’s tired from the rush. I’ll be quick, just grabbing a smoothie from the spot down the street.”
A smoothie as a meal? That wasn’t enough food, especially for someone who’s been working as hard as she has all day.
“Give me a minute. I’m making you lunch.” She started to protest like I knew she would, but I put my hand out. “I won’t take no for an answer. Meet me in the kitchen in a minute.”
She bit her bottom lip, clearly holding back a protest. When I didn’t drop eye contact with her, she huffed. “Fine, but you don’t have to make a fuss.”
A grin tugged at my cheeks. It wasn’t often that my Tiger gave in, but when it happened I felt like tiny bubbles were bursting in my chest.
Quickly, before she snuck out to get her smoothie anyway, I pulled a clean liner out of my desk drawer and put my prosthesis back on. Hell, it felt amazing to be on two feet every single time, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t painful sometimes, especially when I was swollen.
Giving myself a minute to adjust, I tugged a sweatband over my head, positioning it to hold my hair back, and put my coat back on, buttoning most of the buttons.
Olivia waited for me in the kitchen, making herself busy wiping down the counter. Thea was in her own world prepping salads and Caleb must have been taking an extra long smoke break.
“What would you like to eat?”
“Hmm…” She bit her bottom lip and peeked around the kitchen. “I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t care as long as it’s edible.”
I took a few steps toward her and that tingle in my veins started. The feeling showed up anytime she was in arms length. “Well, give me some ideas. When you’re home, what do you cook?”
She laughed and I wanted to capture the sound to replay later. “Anything that comes in a box with instructions.”
“You’re kidding?” My culinary-loving heart shattered.
“Sadly, no. I can’t cook.” With her face angled down, she added, “Growing up we always had a chef cook all our meals. I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
I moved so my body crowded hers. Her breath hitched as I reached behind her for an empty mixing bowl. “I’m going to teach you how to make a meal. Come on, let’s see what we have prepped.”
“Oh, okay.” Her voice wobbled and hitched again as I took her hand and led her to the walk-in. I couldn’t feel the cold air—not with her hand in mine, soft and warm.
I reluctantly let go of her to grab some eggs, washed veggies, and cheddar. She quietly watched me gather everything, like she was studying my moves.
I set the items on the counter. “The first thing every cook should learn is how to prepare eggs. According to all my culinary school teachers, if you can’t cook eggs, you have no business in a kitchen.” I softened my voice when I saw her shoulders fall. “Don’t worry. This is easy, I promise.”
“Easy for you,” she said. “I burn everything I touch.”
“Not going to happen today. I’ll help you every step of the way. You okay with peppers and onions?”
