“Chili con carne,” Sofia said. “It’s simple but at least it can’t go wrong. Do you like chili?”
“I love it. ” Nat handed Sofia her coat that she hung in a hidden closet.
"Lights on," Sofia commanded, and the space brightened with a warm glow. "Temperature up two degrees."
"Fancy," Nat said with a grin.
"I know it seems a bit excessive," Sofia admitted, "but once you get used to it, it's hard to go back to hitting light switches. Besides, I’m a tech geek." She gestured toward the sweeping staircase. "Would you like a tour before dinner?"
Sofia led them upstairs and pointed out various rooms – her small home library with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a cozymedia room, and guest bedrooms that made Nat's apartment look like a closet in comparison. But rather than feeling intimidated by the luxury, Nat was charmed by the personal touches throughout: framed photographs from Sofia's travels, art pieces that clearly meant something to her, and comfortable reading nooks with rumpled throw blankets.
"And this," Sofia said, pushing open a door on the top floor, "is my bedroom."
The master suite was stunning, with large windows overlooking the street and an old, stone fireplace facing the four-posted bed. The bed was made to perfection, dressed in what looked like the softest Egyptian cotton in a deep navy blue that complemented the room's neutral tones. Plush pillows were artfully arranged against the mahogany headboard, and a cashmere throw was draped across the foot of the bed.
Nat's mind wandered to thoughts of later - of sinking into those expensive sheets with Sofia, of their bodies tangled together in that enormous bed.
As if reading her mind, Sofia shot her a knowing smile and stepped closer, cupping Nat’s cheek. "I've missed you so much. Video calls aren't the same."
"No, they're not," Nat agreed, wrapping her arms around Sofia’s waist in return. The tension that had been building between them since the airport crackled in the air as Sofia's lips met hers.
The kiss started gentle but quickly deepened, eighteen days of longing pouring out between them. Nat's hands roamed, pulling her closer, and Sofia's fingers tangled in her hair.
A timer chimed somewhere downstairs, the sound muffled but insistent, and Sofia groaned against Nat's lips. "That's dinner," she muttered. "The pressure cooker needs stirring." She pressed another kiss to Nat's lips before reluctantly pulling back."Come on. Let me show you the kitchen. I think you'll appreciate it."
The kitchen, when they reached it, was a chef's dream – all gleaming stainless steel and marble countertops, with a huge island in the center. Copper pots hung from a rack overhead, and in the corner stood a wine cabinet.
"I don't actually use it much," Sofia admitted, relieving the pressure on the pot. A self-deprecating laugh escaped her. "I just thought it looked pretty when I was renovating. My interior designer convinced me I needed a professional kitchen."
"It is very, very pretty," Nat said, admiring the space. "What a shame you don't use it."
Sofia shrugged, removing the lid to stir what looked like chili con carne. "It's only me here, and honestly, there's no fun in cooking for one. When I meet friends, we usually go out. I find entertaining a bit stressful, actually."
"I hope I'm not giving you too much anxiety then," Nat joked, leaning against the island.
Sofia turned to her, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Well," she said, her voice dropping lower as she stepped closer to Nat, "even if I do get cooking anxiety, I'm sure we can find ways to relieve that stress later."
Her suggestive tone made Nat's breath catch, and heat rushed to her cheeks. Before she could respond, Sofia reached past her to grab two wine glasses from the rack. She shot her a teasing grin. "But first, let me pour you some wine. And then you can tell me if I've completely ruined this recipe."
Chapter Thirty-Two
Nat settled deeper into the corner of the sectional in Sofia’s living room, her legs tucked beneath her as she savored another bite of chili. The flavors were rich and complex – perfectly spiced meat, tender beans, and just the right amount of heat, all topped with a dollop of sour cream and freshly grated cheese. A simple green salad dressed in lime vinaigrette provided a fresh contrast.
"I can't believe you made this," she said, shooting Sofia an impressed look. "Here I was, thinking you survived on takeout and restaurant meals."
Sofia laughed, reaching for her wine glass. "Don't sound so surprised. I do know my way around a few basic dishes." She was curled up next to Nat, looking relaxed in a simple, navy jumper, her dark hair loose around her shoulders.
"Basic?" Nat raised an eyebrow. "This is restaurant quality. I could get used to this. I’ve been cooking for my family every night now that I haven’t been working.”
“That’s so sweet,” Sofia said. "How has it been, having so much free time?”
"It's been quite busy actually,” Nat said with a chuckle. “I've been helping with the bakery renovation." She set her bowl downon the coffee table. "Which, by the way – thank you again for the tip. I didn’t tell them it came from you; they wouldn’t have accepted it. My parents have ordered the new oven now, and they're reopening in three weeks." She met Sofia’s eyes. "I'm going to pay you back, I promise. Not all at once, but–"
"Stop." Sofia held up a hand. "We're not having this conversation. I don't want the money back, and I don't ever want to discuss it again. What matters is that your family's business is getting back on track." She smiled. "And that you have a job lined up. Are you looking forward to starting at The Copper Kettle?"
Nat shrugged, picking up her wine. "Sure. I mean, it's not my dream job, but I'm looking forward to working again." She paused, swirling the wine in her glass. "It's going to be different though. At the lodge, I sometimes had four or five days off between bookings. But this will be full-time, regular hours. It might be hard to visit you."
"Then I'll just have to come to you more often," Sofia said simply. She shifted closer on the couch, her knee brushing against Nat's. "I can work remotely while you’re at the cafe, and we'll have the evenings together."
