Page 38 of Not Like Christmas At All
That was my plan. Quiet evening at home, by myself. Probably on call because inevitably I’ll be needed at some point tonight.
But six days ago, Genesis Nikolaou turned my life upside down. Now, if you ask me what I’m doing tonight, I’ll tell you I’m ringing in the New Year with mygirlfriend.
When I step off the elevator onto Gen’s floor, I can smell the cinnamon wafting through the air before I even make it down to her apartment.
Rapping my knuckles against the door, I hear light music playing behind it, and I picture her in the kitchen, dancing happily as she prepares whatever she’s surprising us with.
Gen insisted she cook dinner for me, Zee, and Miller, who will be here in about an hour. She said it would be casual, followed by game night, but something in my gut tells me she’s pulled out all the stops.
If there’s one thing I can say with certainty, it’s that shelovesto celebrate.
Moments later when the door swings open, I’m face to face with the woman who continuously steals my breath away.
Holding a mixing bowl in one hand with a wooden spoon still buried in whatever’s inside, she’s wearing a dark green sweater dress, leggings, and dark gray fuzzy socks pulled up. Her wild curls are pulled back into a messy bun she’s tied off with her favorite red sequined bow, and there’s a smear of flour on her face.
Her apartment smells delicious, but more importantly, shelooksdelicious.
There’s no way I’ll make it through tonight without tastingher.
“Hey,” she greets, a smile pulling wide across her face.
My chest tightens, squeezing my heart so tightly I’m afraid it might burst.Fuck, I’m falling hard for this woman.“Hey, beautiful.”
Stepping over the threshold, I kiss her cheek and am barely pulling back when Pebbles comes barreling out of the living room, her giant limbs skidding across the laminate flooring.
Slamming against my legs, she licks me in greeting, her slobbery jowls dripping, barely missing my shoe.
“Pebbles, ew!” Gen uses one hand to shoo her dog away, but it’s no use—Pebbles and I have already become best friends.
This is only our second time meeting, but our introduction went off without a hitch.
“Hi, Pebbles.” I laugh, giving her ear a scratch. She leans into me, so I continue rubbing her face.
“Quick—don’t think, just answer.” Gen flashes me a cheeky smile. “If I made you pick between me and Pebbles, who would you pick?”
My gaze drifts from the dog snuggling up against me to the woman who’s trying so hard to suppress her laughter.
I lift my shoulders nonchalantly. “Pebbles.”
“I knew it.” Gen pulls the wooden spoon from her batter and points it in my direction. A dollop of dough falls onto the floor, and Pebbles lies down to lick it up.
“Can you blame me?” Pushing her apartment door closed so Pebbles doesn’t escape, I stalk toward Genesis.
Taking the mixing bowl from her, I put it on the entryway table, then sink my fingers into her hips, pulling her close. My hand slides around the back of her neck, desperate to feel her soft skin. “I choose you every day.”
Her cheeks flush, and she presses up on her tiptoes to kiss me. “Back atcha, Doctor Hottie.” She winks and pulls away too quickly for my liking, dancing out of my arms. “I have to get these cookies in the oven. Make yourself at home.”
Shrugging out of my jacket, I drape it over the back of one of her dining chairs and follow her into the kitchen.
The scent of cinnamon I smelled out in the hallway was nothing compared to the richness in Gen’s kitchen. Sweet and savory twist together—spices, butter, meats, and something I can’t put my finger on.
The baking sheet clanking against the oven rack draws my attention, my eyes locking on the pillowy baked good Gen’s pulling out.
She slides the tray onto the open space on her stove, then grins at me from over her shoulder. “Ever try spanakopita?”
“Can’t say I have. It’s Greek food, right?” Standing between her barstools, I lean against the counter, happily observing.
“You haven’t lived until you’ve tried spanakopita! It’s delicious.”
