Page 28 of A Perfect Pairing
“Natasha?”
She turned at the sound of Antonio’s voice, and just the sight of him made her heart race. “Hey. I want you to meet Gabriel Cunningham, Serenity’s husband. Gabe, this is Antonio Hayes.”
“It’s nice to finally put a face to the name,” Gabriel said. “Nana’s told me a lot about you.” The two men shook hands.
Antonio chuckled. “Nice to meet you, too. Between Ms. Della and my grandmother, I don’t know who’s worse. What brings you out?”
“I don’t know if Natasha has mentioned the supper club she, Serenity, and two of their other friends have.”
“She mentioned they got together a couple of times a month, but I can’t say I’ve heard the term ‘supper club.’”
Gabriel grinned. “Natasha will have to tell you the story.”
“Anyway,” Natasha said as Gabriel removed the box from her car, “we brought food for all of you.”
A smile kicked up at the corner of Antonio’s mouth. “Thanks. That saves me from having to leave and go pick something up.” He took the box Gabriel handed him and looked inside. “Waffles?”
Natasha wiggled her eyebrows. “Yep. Homemade.”
“You guys enjoy,” Gabriel said. “I’m heading back.” He started to his car, then paused. “Oh, Natasha, you should invite Antonio to the next supper club.” He winked.
Natasha’s mouth fell open, and then she burst out laughing, recalling how she’d done the same thing when Serenity was still mad at Gabriel.
“Just returning the favor. Antonio, the box on the bottom is yours. It has an extra piece of chicken for Natasha. I figured she might want to stay around while you eat.”
This time Antonio laughed. “Thanks, man. And yeah, I definitely want to check out this supper club.” After Gabriel left, Antonio placed a soft kiss on Natasha’s lips. “You are going to stay, right?”
Like she wanted to be anywhere else. “Yeah, I’ll stay.”
“Come on. Let me give the guys their food, and we can sit on the bench out back.”
The bench had quickly become their favorite place, not only because it had been the spot where their official relationship began, but it also offered privacy. Todd and George thanked her profusely and asked her to relay their gratitude to Serenity as well.
After they were seated, Antonio opened the box and turned his shocked gaze her way. “I know you said she cooks, but I didn’t know you meant like this.” He offered her one of the wings before starting in on the meal. He groaned after the first bite.
“Good, huh? And that syrup is homemade, too.”
“I see why you said you don’t ever miss the supper clubs. Serenity cancook. And this chicken is better than Ms. Ida’s.” He pulled all the meat off the drumstick part in two bites.
Nibbling on her own piece of chicken, she said, “Gabriel makes the chicken.”
Antonio nodded. “Yep, I’m all in for the next supper club. Oh, and how did you all decide on the name?”
Natasha smiled. “Gabriel’s sister, Andrea, used to be the fifth member of our group until she got a job promotion and moved last year. She gave our little gatherings the name ‘Serenity’s Supper Club’ because she said they reminded her of the old underground places where people spent hours eating, drinking, listening to music, and generally having a good time.”
He nodded and sipped his juice. “I like that. Do you cook like this? I remember you not liking to cook.”
“That has not changed. I can cook the basics, bake from a box, but the only thing homemade is that it’s madeinmy home.”
He laughed so hard, he almost choked.
“What? I don’t mind cooking and helping out, but every woman can’t be Suzie Homemaker, with all the fancy stuff. Can you cook?”
“Yes. I like getting into the kitchen. Would you cook with me?”
“I’d love to cook with you.” She’d often watched Serenity and Gabriel when they prepared a meal together. It had been more than just about food, and Natasha found herself wanting the same thing.
“By the way, Grandma’s party is three weeks from today. What do you think about letting everyone know we’re back together then?”
