“Yeah. There’s something about this side of the house that he just seems to hate. Maybe something to do with my mom, I don’t know. She passed away when I was younger, so I don’t know much about her or them.”
Rook’s eyebrows furrowed, the frown on his face growing. “I forgot your mom died.”
“Yeah, not long after I was born.”
“Sorry. It sucks you never got to know her.”
“It’s kind of strange. I wish I had the chance to, but at the same time, it’s hard to miss something you never had. You miss your parents?”
“Yeah,” he said, not elaborating more.
He turned, sliding a full plate of food in front of me. Not only was it not burned, it looked amazing.
“You really do know how to cook.”
“I took over everything after we got back to town. Cooking included. You experiment enough, you learn the basics of cooking. Poor Evie, though. She won’t eat hamburgers anymore because I made them so bad once, she threw up.”
I laughed, taking a bite of the pancakes first, moaning at the flavor.
“Rook, these are amazing.”
“I’m glad I impressed you with one of the easiest things to make,” he said, looking at me over his cup. His blue eyes were bright today, the heavy look of exhaustion not there as much. His dark hair was still a mess, but the soft smile on his face nearly made me melt.
“Well, what else can you cook?” I asked.
“A few things. I’m busy tonight, but want me to make you dinner tomorrow?”
“I can’t. I have a dinner party to go to for my dad. Maybe the day after?”
“Wouldn’t your dad be home?”
“I thought you could meet him at some point?”
He got up, setting his plate in the sink and heading back over to me. The dark scowl on his face was familiar, the soft, kind part of Rook disappearing at my question. “I don’t think so.”
“Is it really that big of a problem?”
“It is. What are you doing today?” he asked.
“I have some lunch meeting with my dad, then back here.”
His shoulders rolled, the soft smile not coming back. “What type of meeting would you have with your dad?”
“I’m not sure. I have to meet him at Sweet Haven Cafe around noon.” His frown deepened, and I laughed. “Is that an issue?” I asked.
“Maybe not if that’s where you’re going. Can you text me if you have any issues?”
“Issues at a lunch with my dad at Sweet Haven? The cutest coffee shop in town. Do you think something big and bad is going to happen there?” I asked with a smile.
“I don’t know, but I have a bad feeling and I don’t know about what. So will you just text me today and let me know how it’s going?”
“Yeah,” I said, more seriously now. “I will do that. You okay?”
“I’m fine. I have to go.” He leaned down, kissing me once. “I’m going to grab my stuff and head out.”
He disappeared around the corner before I could say anything, but I went after him.“What is wrong, Rook?”
“Nothing. I just need to go. I need out of this house.”
