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She laughs.

"Okay. I'm going."

"Good."

She gets almost to the doorway. Stops again. I wait. She turns.

"I'd still love to taste the final version."

"I'll save you a spoon."

Her expression softens. I reach for the basil. She notices. Her entire face lights up.

"Just a little."

"Go."

She laughs and finally disappears through the doorway. I wait until her footsteps fade. Then I study the basil in my hand.

She has been in my kitchen for less than fifteen minutes. She ate my food. Used my spoon. Critiqued my recipe. Told me how to improve it. And somehow left me standing here about to do exactly what she suggested.

How did that happen?

I glance toward the empty doorway. That woman is driving me insane.

Jack is halfway under the farm truck when I find him.

"I need your help."

"With the truck?"

"Hart."

Jack slides out far enough to see me.

"How exactly am I supposed to help with Hart?"

"She's driving me crazy."

He studies my face.

"What happened?"

"You know what she did?"

"I just asked."

"She eats my food."

Jack stares at me.

"She eats your food."

"Just like that."

"I thought that was why you usually made food. For people to eat."

"That's not the point."