Page 20 of Beastly Mountain Man

“They’ll give you a cutoff if delivery is going to pause.”

“That is good because my backup plan consists of crackers, cheese, and the heroic possibility of toast.”

“The restaurant’s good.”

“It is.”

Lucky slipped his phone into his pocket. “But I can do better.”

I turned toward him.

His expression had changed just enough to make the meaning clear before he said another word.

This was not a property-manager offer.

“What are you proposing?”

“Dinner. Here, if you want. I’ll cook. You can help as much or as little as you feel like, and we can put that kitchen through something more demanding than reheating room service.”

I glanced toward the polished range and enormous island.

“With me is an ambitious part of that proposal.”

“I’ll handle the knives.”

“That significantly improves your odds.”

Lucky smiled. “Fresh pasta. Roasted-garlic Parmesan sauce. Something green so we can pretend we’re responsible.”

I folded my arms. “Dessert?”

“Dark-chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream.”

I stared at him.

“You buried the strongest component.”

“I wanted the pasta to have a fair chance.”

“The pasta was doing fine. The cake closed the deal.”

His smile came slowly. “Then I’ll send the ingredient list down before the last provisions run. I still need to finish up, feed Bear, and change. I can be back around six.”

The phrase closed the deal had acquired implications neither of us needed to explain.

I felt them anyway.

“I’d like that.”

Lucky held my gaze.

“For the record, this has nothing to do with the agreement.”

“I know.” I smiled. “I’m accepting a personal invitation.”

“Good.”

Bear lifted his head when Lucky reached for the rope toy, apparently recognizing that his temporary residency was ending.