Page 98 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

“Why don’t you carry the dishes over to the table? I’ll finish this up quick and meet you guys there.”

Nash grabbed the bowl of pork in one hand and beans in the other before he was off.

Isabella got to work pitting the avocados and putting them in the molcajete. She mashed them before adding the chopped veggies. Next up was lime juice. She carried the whole container over, setting it in the open space on the table and sliding a spoon inside.

“I got you an iced tea.” Nash motioned to the drink in front of her.

“Thanks.” She turned to Eli. “Can you put that away? Dinner’s ready and I know you don’t like it when it gets cold.”

Eli finished writing a sentence and then closed the book, tucking it away in his backpack.

The first few minutes of dinner went by with the clank of forks and a few satisfied groans from Nash.

Nash wiped his mouth with a napkin. “This is delicious. Thanks for cooking. I’ll get tomorrow’s dinner. How does homemade pizza sound?”

“That sounds good. Don’t you think, Eli?”

Eli nodded. “Sure.”

Nash finished off a third taco and wiped his hands. “I was thinking it might be fun to have a fire tonight out back. Maybe roast some s’mores for dessert?”

“Mmm, I won’t say no to s’mores,” Isabella agreed before grabbing her iced tea and taking a sip.

“Can I have two?” Eli perked up.

“I think we can make an exception this time.” Isabella smiled.

“I also have another surprise.” Nash dressed another two tacos on his plate.

“You do? What is it?”

Nash gave her a wink. “You’ll have to wait and see, sweetness. Now eat up so you can have dessert after.”

“I’ve eaten two tacos already,” she argued.

“Great. Now have another two for the baby.” He picked up a warm tortilla and dropped it on her plate.

She rolled her eyes. “Trust me, this baby is far from starving.”

Eli went to town on his dinner; this was one of his favorites. Each ingredient was carefully separated on his plate without touching. Eli dug into the meat first, working his way clockwise around the plate with a spoon. Finger foods were not his favorite, but this way he could enjoy them. He didn’t like the feeling of getting his hands dirty—even when fishing, he preferred to wear gloves.

After dinner, Nash cleaned up and did the dishes before he built a fire off the back porch. He carried a couple chairs down to the grass, a safe distance away from the flames.

“What can I do to help?” she asked.

“You can sit your pretty ass down and relax. I got this.” Nash loaded a marshmallow onto a long bamboo stick.

“Well, okay, then.” She took a seat, not needing to be told twice. Her feet were a little swollen and sore. Today would have been so much harder if it wasn’t for the man sitting across from her.

Eli came out of the house, his sweatshirt zipped up and his hands in his pockets as he made his way to Nash.

Nash handed over the paper plate with all the fixings for a s’more to Eli. “Not sure if you like it all together or not?”

“No, I like it all separate. I got it.” Eli went to work, preparing his confection while Nash did the same, making small talk about the art of roasting a marshmallow.

Isabella sat back in her chair, her hands staying warm as they wrapped around a mug of steaming tea. The bite of the chilly October air was staved off by the fire in front of her. A few dark storm clouds glowed in the sky, obscuring the moon. A smattering of stars broke through the nearly black heavens. A slight breeze blew, carrying the scent of dead leaves, pine, smoke from the fire, and a hint of rain. Orange and red flames reflected on her son and her . . . lover? Roommate with benefits? None of those seemed to fit Nash. She wasn’t sure just what they were. He claimed to not be ready for a relationship and then he went and did such caring actions like he’d done today. He flirted. He said things to her that went beyond friendship. Things that made her wonder if he was ready for more—if there could be a future for them.

Nash walked over, his salty scent mixing with earth and fire, an elemental pull enticing her closer.

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