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Leo throws his head back and laughs. “God, I’m glad you’re here, Nixie.”
Affection warms my chest. He’s so open with his emotions. His laugh is loud, his smile is huge, and he isn’t afraid to say whatever’s on his mind. He’s a breath of fresh air, and I hope his family appreciates that. I know I do, and he deserves to hear it.
“I’m glad you’re here too, Leo.”
His steps falter as he looks down at me. “You sound like you mean that.”
“Wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it.” I shove the box of cookies at his chest. “Here, take these.”
When we reach the dining room, Leo tosses the cookies onto the table, and breaks open the seal. “Chocolate chip is my favorite.”
Jim stands from his seat at the head of the table and smacks his hand. “Don’t eat them now. You’ll ruin your appetite.” He shakes his head as he leans in to hug me. “I swear, it’s like these boys haven’t aged a day since they were five.”
I chuckle. “I can believe it.”
“James is in the kitchen.” He points toward the doorway. “Leo, show her around and get her something to drink.”
Leo salutes him and takes my elbow. “I hope you’re not looking for alcohol because this is a dry house.”
“Water is fine with me. I don’t drink.”
“Why not?”
I shrug. “Never liked it.”
It’s an easier answer than the truth: Alcohol is a downer, and it fucks with my meds.
Leo enters the kitchen and whispers, even though he’s being loud enough for the whole house to hear him. “Here we see the chef in his natural habitat. We cannot disturb the artist while he’s in the middle of creating his masterpiece.”
James sighs. “Do you ever shut the fuck up?”
I roll my lips together so I don’t start laughing. “Also, that might be the worst Australian accent I’ve ever heard.”
“I’m working on it.” Leo slaps James on the back and massages his shoulders. “When’s dinner? Our guest has arrived, and I’m starving.”
James doesn’t turn away from the stove as he speaks. “Considering I didn’t know we were having a guest up until ten minutes ago, you’re going to have to wait.”
My stomach sinks. “I’m sorry. I told your father I didn’t want to be an imposition, but he insisted.”
James turns around to look at me with regret etched on his face. “That came out wrong. I don’t mind that you’re here. I just want to make sure I have enough for everyone.”
I step forward to stand beside him at the stove. “Anything I can do to help?”
He shakes his head. “Guests don’t help.”
“I’m your neighbor, not Queen Elizabeth.”
“Is there a difference? A guest is a guest.”
“I told you, Nixie. He takes his work very seriously.” Leo taps the doorframe before he heads back to the dining room.
My eyes bounce around the room, trying to settle on anything other than the way James’s arms look in his fitted black T-shirt. “Well, can I set the table at least?”
“You want to help? Tell me how this tastes.” James lifts the spoon from a large pot filled with creamy red sauce and brings it to his lips to blow on it first. Something about that thoughtful gesture has my heart rate kicking up a notch.
His warm honey eyes watch me with rapt attention as I lean forward to sip from the spoon. It’s sweet with a zing of spices. “Wow. This is delicious, James. You made this from scratch?”
He nods and then swipes the excess sauce from the corner of my mouth with his thumb. Instead of wiping it on a napkin, he licks it off his finger. And I feel that one gentle lick all the way between my legs.
