Like honey and something warm out of the oven.
I cleared my throat. “Hope you like salmon.”
“Definitely. You didn’t have to go to so much trouble. I would have been good with grilled cheese.”
“You told me to cook for you, I cooked.”
Her wide mouth curved. “Do you always follow orders so well?”
“No.” I set her back.
“Hmm. Interesting.” She slipped away from me and made a beeline for the kitchen.
I followed her. “I figured a decent meal would be a thank you for helping me yesterday.”
“How neighborly of you. I knew you could do it.”
I rushed around her as the timer went off. “I had to cook for myself anyway.”
“Right. I’m coming over to eat all the time if this is what I’ll get.” She lifted the top off the pan and groaned. The smokey scent of sun dried tomatoes and garlic filled the kitchen.
I eased her aside and opened the oven to take out the potatoes and asparagus.
“I’ll be smelling like garlic for days.” She rubbed her hands.
“It’s good for you.”
“Bonus.”
I pulled down shallow bowls and made her a plate. “Sorry I don’t have a table yet.”
“All good. We can eat on the couch.”
I handed her a fork. “Would you like a glass of wine?”
“That sounds nice.”
“Go on in. I’ll bring it with me.”
She nodded and wandered into the living room. Mouse trotted after her and hopped up on the couch next to her. She quietly admonished him as she folded her legs under her, tucking herself into the corner as he put his head down on her thigh.
She stabbed up a forkful with a hum of appreciation. “This is amazing.”
I brought in two glasses of wine and handed her one. “Glad you like it.”
She did a little wiggle of her shoulders. “Beyond like.” She took a sip of the wine then set it on the end table. “I demand the recipe,” she said around a bite.
“Just something I threw together.”
“Doubtful. Did you go into O’Dwyer’s?”
I nodded. “They had a surprisingly good butcher, but I went with the salmon in case you didn’t eat meat.”
“That was sweet of you. I’m an equal opportunity carnivore.” She took a bite of the flaky fish. “This is like butter though.”
“San Francisco has a lot of great fishmongers.”
“A bachelor that cooks. Or have you been married?”
