Page 26 of Extra Witchy

Trev blinked. “I’m guessing you mean the good kind of scream.”

In answer, her mom made anOface, and Leanne face-palmed. When some of the secondhand embarrassment faded, she said, “You were just about to get your stuff and head over to Blair’s, right?”

“I was hoping you’d let me cook dinner for everyone first,” Trev cut in.

Startled, Leanne took a step toward him, gesturing at the kitchen. “Are you sure? I don’t even know what I have on hand.”

“I bought some groceries,” Junie said cheerfully.

“Let me take inventory.” He headed for the fridge like a professional, and eventually, he added, “I can do honey Dijon chicken with vegetables. Sound good?” Trev tied on an apron and washed his hands before setting out ingredients and locating kitchenware like he’d done this countless times before.

He’s really selling us as a couple.She read Junie’s silent approval and mentally patted herself on the back.

“Sounds incredible,” Leanne said.

Without even changing out of her work clothes, she settled on a stool across the island to watch him work. He chopped up peppers, zucchini, and onions then quickly whisked together a sauce. Trev prepped a sheet pan with aluminum foil, laid out the veggies and put chicken breasts on top, basting them in the deep yellow honey Dijon. Once it was all done, he sealed the packet and slid the pan into the oven.

“Half an hour, maybe forty minutes. It’ll be awesome, trust me. Sheet pan foil packets are impossible to ruin, and you can do all kinds of flavor profiles. Teriyaki, lemon pepper, spicy ginger, barbecue…”

“You’re so talented,” Leanne said, propping her chin on her hand to admire him.

Honestly, he looked fucking hot in an apron, his cheeks flushed either from working by the oven or from her praise.I didn’t even know Ihadan apron.In gradient pastel hues—with ruffles, no less—it was so adorable on him that she wished she could grab him with both hands.

“I agree,” Junie put in. “I’ve never heard of this foil packet thing, but it sounds versatile.”

“Definitely! You can use whatever meat you want or no meat at all. I’m not sure I’d try tofu, but chickpeas might work.”

He rounded the counter, coming up behind Leanne to set his hands on her shoulders. When he started kneading, it felt so good that she let out a moan. She hadn’t realized she was tense until he found the knots, applying the perfect amount of pressure to smooth away the aches in her neck as well. Sighing blissfully, she closed her eyes.

“How are you this wonderful?” Junie asked, obviously talking to Trev.

“I’m committed to looking after Leanne,” he replied. “That means home-cooked meals, back rubs, and cuddles…if she wants them.” He finished up with one last, gentle squeeze. “Take a hot shower and get changed, babe. You have time.”

Babe?They’d used it jokingly before, but she hated that endearment…but after him cooking dinner and giving her a back rub?I’ll let it go.

With Trev as a buffer, she didn’t even mind that Junie was still here. She practically floated to the bathroom, lost herself in a warm shower, and by the time she came out in yoga pants, he was checking their meal. He cut into a breast to make sure it was cooked properly then served up three plates with a proud flourish and added a little more sauce to the chicken.

“Dinner’s done.” He did a double take when he saw her, knuckling his eyes with exaggerated shock. “Okay, how do you look glamorous, even in that? It’s sorcery, I tell you. Every angle, every time of the day, you’re a knockout.”

Swapping a look with her mother, Leanne offered him a sly and teasing half smile. “Just one of my many charms.”

***

If Trev’s arms bent that way, he’d pat himself on the back.

Such a basic recipe, and it was a huge hit. There was no food left, and Junie hugged him once she cleared her plate. Now she had all her bags by the front door; Leanne wasn’t offering to see her off, but it felt wrong to do nothing. Especially when he was the reason she was leaving in the first place and his relationship with Leanne wasn’t the way they portrayed at all.

“I’ll help carry your stuff,” he said to Junie, hefting a shoulder bag and taking hold of her wheeled suitcase.

“That’s so sweet!” Junie beamed as she crossed to hug her daughter. “Come here, you.”

Trev went ahead to call the elevator, and Junie caught up with him as the doors dinged open. He kept them apart long enough for her to hurry past, then he joined her. Surprisingly, she didn’t chatter his ear off on the way down. Instead, she maintained a meditative silence, as if she had something heavy on her mind. As they stepped into the foyer, she tried for a smile, but it came out crooked.

“Everything all right?” he asked.

“Not exactly. I’m sure she’s told you we’re not close. And it’s my fault. I put my needs—and my social life—ahead of LeLe when she was growing up. It left scars on her heart, and I want us to be closer now. But…I don’t know how to make her forgive me.”

At least you know what you did wrong.

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