Page 73 of Jude

A genuine laugh tore out of my chest as I chuckled.

Moments later, a loud, treacherous rumble echoed right from the middle of my stomach, cutting through the air.

Sofia arched a brow, her lips twitching. ‘Well, it seems the boss is demanding to be fed.’

‘Yeah,’ I muttered. ‘I missed lunch. I’m no chef, but I can grill a steak.’

‘May I help?’

I nodded as Sofia rose from the sofa.

‘We’ll make you a fillet, but we are adding fresh vegetables to make it healthy.’

‘Will you eat with me?’ I rasped, opening the refrigerator for her.

She shrugged, the gesture so damn appealing it sent a jolt through me.

‘I’ve eaten, but maybe I’ll have a second dinner.’

Within minutes, Sofia took over the kitchen, pulling thick cuts of New York strip, asparagus, bell peppers, and garlic from the shelves. She put me straight to work.

‘The pan needs to smoke,’ she said, blocking my hand as I moved the meat too early. ‘We want a hard sear to lock in the juice, Jude.’

She stepped close, her hands laying over my tatted knuckles to guide the oil and rosemary onto the vegetables.

I found myself captivated by how she moved, her ease and confident warmth, and how being in her presence calmed me.

As we seared the steaks and tossed the corn, green beans, peppers, and thin-cut carrots into the hot cast-iron pan, the air filled with the incredible aroma of garlic, charred peppers, and sizzling meat.

My wife found her second appetite, and we ate together at the kitchen island, skipping the formal dining table.

I took one mouthful and groaned in bliss.

‘The steak is juicy, the vegetables have a perfect, crisp bite, and it’s one of the best meals I’ve eaten, if I say so myself.’

Sofia rolled her eyes. ‘One meal and the man is a Michelin chef.’

‘Hey, I rocked it!’

I made the protest with a smile, clearing the empty plates.

‘You are an acceptable assistant,’ she countered, winking at me. ‘However, the teacher deserves the credit.’

After cleaning up the kitchen together, the house fell into a peaceful, comfortable, and easy mode, far removed from Abby’s toxic presence.

‘Let’s watch a movie,’ Sofia suggested, ‘to clear away the bad energy from earlier.’

‘I like that.’

We headed to the couch, and I tossed her the remote.

‘Your call, babe.’

I figured she’d pick one of the romantic soap operas she liked, or maybe a slow drama.

Instead, the TV lit up with the intro to ‘The Avengers’.

I blinked, glancing in surprise from the screen to her.