Page 30 of The Star in Room 7

“I’m the boss and have people to do most of the day-to-day stuff for me. Yes, I like to keep my fingers on the pulse, but I can take a few days off.”

“It’s already been a few days.”

“Then I’ll take a few more. You need me more.”

I nip my bottom lip between my teeth and look away as my cheeks become radioactive. “Thank you.”

“I think your friend’s waiting for you.”

I nod. “Thanks again for today.”

I have an urge to kiss him. To say thank you, obviously. I don’t. That’s probably not a line I should cross, especially without having any idea if he’d want me to cross it. Why am I even thinking about it? My head’s messed up, and Nate’s just trying to help.

I get out of the car and head toward Puck, who stands and waves for Nate to stay.

“Is everything okay?” I ask.

Puck nods exuberantly. “Everyone else is out or busy. You should invite your Daddy to stay. We can cook for him.” They smile brightly.

“Nate’s not…”

Puck swings their body from side to side, giving me a knowing stare.

“I’ll ask.” I return to the car.

Nate puts his window down so we can talk.

“Do you want to stay for dinner? It would be the three of us.” I motion to Puck.

“I’d like that. Who’s cooking?”

“Me and Puck, apparently.”

“I could help?”

I shake my head. “We’ll do it. You’ve spent all day spoiling me. Let me do something in return.”

Nate smiles. “All right.”

The three of us go inside, Nate peeling off to go and sit in the conservatory while Puck and I head to the kitchen. We check what’s in the fridge and cupboards.

“Stuffed peppers?” I suggest.

Puck looks panicked.

“I’ll teach you how to make them. They’re not hard,” I add. “You said you wanted to know how to cook more than one meal.”

They beam. “Okay.” They set their teddy bear down on one corner of the counter, positioned to watch over us and wash their hands, while I pull everything we’ll need out.

I start by putting some rice on to cook.

“We need to hollow out the peppers.” I show them how with the first one, and then we do one each. “Puck… Have you ever been blindfolded?”

“Yes.”

“Did you like it?”

They hum. “Not always.”