Page 45 of Lost in You (The Monroes 3)

After he cut the cookie and gave them each a warm piece, he scooped chocolate-swirl ice cream on top and Macy drizzled the syrup over all of it.

“I can honestly say my new kitchen has never smelled like this,” she told him, eyeing her bowl of calories. “And I’m pretty sure this kitchen hasn’t smelled this good since my mother was alive.”

Liam pulled out two spoons and handed her one. “Let’s take these to the couch. You’ve worked hard and deserve to take a break.”

Macy settled into the corner of the leather sofa, tucking her feet beneath her. She cut into the cookie and made sure to have a healthy amount of ice cream and syrup on her spoon before she took her first bite. The groan that escaped her couldn’t be helped. This was seriously the best dessert ever.

“Damn, I’m a good cook.”

Taking a seat at the opposite end of the couch, Liam laughed. “You are. Cookies in the cast iron pan are my absolute favorite.”

“So you started me with your favorite instead of the basics?”

Liam eyed her. “Chocolate chip cookies are the basics.”

Macy slid her spoon through another bite. “I figured basics would be something like canned green beans.”

“Stop it,” he said, scooping up another bite. “Quit talking about all of your canned and processed foods. It makes me nauseous to think people eat like that.”

Macy merely shrugged and concentrated on her decadent dessert. “I’m really glad I have on my baggy shorts. I can feel the pounds clinging to my waist.”

“Your waist is perfectly fine,” he muttered.

There was no comment she could add to that, so she finished off her gooey treat and took her bowl to the sink. After she rinsed it out, she placed it in the dishwasher and started cleaning up the kitchen.

“I’ll get it.” Liam came over and put his empty bowl in the sink. “It’s getting late.”

“I’m not leaving you with this mess.”

Macy reached past him and grabbed the cast iron skillet. The instant burn to her hand had her dropping it back onto the stove. With a hiss, she clutched her hand to her chest.

“Damn it.” Liam moved lightning fast and grabbed her arm. “Let me see.”

The palm of her skin and her two middle fingers were already turning a shade of purple. Macy bit down on her lip and tried to pull her arm back.

“Get cold water on this.” Liam urged her toward the sink, turned on the faucet, and thrust her hand beneath the refreshing spray. “Don’t move.”

Without another word, he rushed out of the room and headed toward the bathroom. Macy leaned forward and let the water take away some of the sting. Stupid, stupid mistake. Of course the cast iron handle was hot. She’d used a pot holder for it earlier and they hadn’t taken that long to eat.

Embarrassment overrode any pain and she cursed herself for being such a moron. This rookie kitchen mistake would no doubt make Liam think of her as . . . what? Someone who didn’t have common sense? Clearly she wasn’t fit for this and she was proving to him just how inept she was.

“Here.” Liam turned the water off and grabbed a paper towel. “Gently dab the area dry and let me put some ointment on it.”

Macy dried around the wound and barely dabbed the actual burn. Thankfully her entire hand wasn’t hurt, but the throb seemed to extend far beyond the wounded area.

“Lucky it was your left hand,” Liam muttered, opening the tube of ointment.

“I’m a lefty.”

He

squirted some cream onto a clean cotton swab and shook his head. “Of course you are. I forgot.”

When he came at her with the cotton, Macy flinched.

“I haven’t touched you yet.” His eyes held hers. “Relax.”

“I’m just preparing myself for more pain.”

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