Page 102 of Dancing for the Minotaur

“I am considerably larger than your mother,” he said dryly.

Terra laughed.

“Trust me, that wouldn't stop her from bossing you around.”

He nodded thoughtfully.

“I believe Lucy is formidable.”

“You have no idea,” Terra told him.

They talked throughout the meal, and Terra found herself telling Taurex stories about Cody and Lisa, including the time Lisa had decided to give herself a haircut with kindergarten safety scissors and the afternoon Cody had tried to build a homemade rocket in the backyard using a plastic bottle, baking soda and far too much confidence.

Taurex listened as though every story mattered, asking questions and laughing in all the right places, and Terra was struck again by the difference between him and Jackson.

Her ex had barely listened when she talked about the children unless there was a problem he thought she should solve. All he ever cared about was his own interests—gaming, buying a new truck, and things like that. Anything that didn’t directly involve him personally had no chance of holding his attention.

But Taurex wanted to know about her life and her kids and her mom. The realization warmed her almost as much as the food.

By the time Terra scraped the last of the dark blue gravy from her bowl with a piece of fargas bread, she was completely full. She sighed contentedly and sat back in her living chair, which immediately adjusted to support her.

“That is honestly one of the best meals I've ever had,” she told Taurex.

He leaned back in his living chair.

“I am pleased you liked it.”

“You should be proud of yourself,” Terra told him. “You’re not just a successful CEO—you’re also an amazing chef.”

Taurex looked thoughtful.

“I suppose I am.”

She laughed.

“No false modesty, huh?”

He shrugged.

“You said it was excellent. Why would I pretend otherwise?”

She laughed again.

“Good point.”

They put the leftovers away together, which turned into another alien domestic lesson for Terra. Taurex stored the remaining stew inside a round green pod that sealed itself once he pressed the edges together, then placed it inside the cooling plant.

“It reseals itself?” she asked.

“Yes.” He nodded.

“That’s a hell of a lot better than Tupperware,” Terra remarked.

He shrugged.

“I do not know what that is.”

“Plastic containers that you can never find matching lids for,” she told him.