Page 131 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

“We’re fine,” Jace says.

I pull away from him and look between the two. My mouth falls open and I glare at them. Jace rolls his lips in as if trying not to laugh.

“Ugh, you two don’t want me in the kitchen. I know how to cut stuff. I can help.”

Gio chuckles. “You’re right, come wash and cut these onions and peppers for me.”

I grumble to myself as I round the counter and take the bowl he holds out to me. I take it. He kisses my lips as he shrugs from his suit jacket. He begins to roll his sleeves up as he gets the rest of the things from the bags.

“How was your day?” he asks.

“It was okay. Thanks for giving me the day off.”

“Dante wasn’t coming into the office. You didn’t need to be there. You’ve been at the Dollhouse every day this week, so you didn’t need to be there. Kamiko was able to train this afternoon. Why not take a day to yourself?”

“That reminds me. We were talking. Maybe you should hand training over to the originals. Your plate is super full. Once we start trying for the babies, and then when you’re pregnant, you’re going to have to take a step back,” Jace says.

“You have us sounding like vampires,” I chuckle as I finish washing the vegetables and take them to the counter to cut them.

“He’s right. I know I have you stretched thin,” Gio says.

“I’m handling it. I think I did more while I was away.”

“Well, you don’t have to anymore. You have support here,” Jace replies.

“Dante’s schedule is easy to cover. Especially with Lizzy peeking over my shoulder. Once I finish with that, I have a lot of time on my hands for research and checking numbers.”

“Speaking of Lizzy—”

“She’s curious about us,” I cut Gio off.

“Yeah, I’m seeing that. Maybe play up your natural annoyance with me.”

I burst into laughter. “That won’t be hard. I’m still mad you ate my lunch the other day.”

“I was in a rush. Jace told me the sandwich in the bag was mine. How was I supposed to know there were two bags?”

“You asked for the chicken parm sandwich. That might have been your first clue as you bit into my roast beef.”

He laughs. “Come here, smart-ass. Bring the onions.”

I scoop them into the bowl and move closer to him by the stove. He gets behind me and maneuvers my body to face the pan. He kisses my neck as he covers my hand and guides me to pour the onions into the oil in the pan.

“Let’s try to teach you to sweat the onion again,” he whispers in my ear.

“I’ll get the salt.”

“No,” he and Jace say at the same time.

I frown. “Baby, you use way too much salt. It’s about balance. And there are so many other seasonings that can enhance a dish. Lay off the salt,” Gio says.

I nod and bite down on my tongue as it sticks out the side of my mouth. Grabbing the spoon Gio hands me, I stir the onions in the pan.

“What are we making?”

“Pepper steak and rice.”

“Yum.” My face hurts from smiling so hard. This is the normal stuff I want out of life.

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