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As Zoe gets the ingredients for the salad, I pull out three large chicken breasts that were in the refrigerator. Sitting the package on the counter, I turn and admire the smooth electric top stove with the grill built in the middle before turning it on to warm up. I need one of these bad boys in my apartment.
After washing the chicken off, I slice each breast in half before seasoning them. Zoe’s cellphone began to ring in the living room.
“I’ll be right back,” she said, placing the knife she was using to cut the lettuce on the cutting board.
“Okay” I returned, laying two of the sliced chicken breasts on the hot grill.
Once the other four slices are on the grill, I wash my hands, then go over to the table to take over where Zoe left off with the lettuce, tossing the pieces in the salad bowl. Call us crazy but Zoe and I love sliced cherry tomatoes and thinly sliced red onion in our Caesar salads. Before starting on them, I go to the stove and flip over the breasts.
Resuming my place at the table, I start to slice the tomatoes, throwing the halves in the bowl when large arms trap me from behind.
“Just so you know, I have a large knife in my hand and I’m not afraid to use it,” I say, trying to hold in my laughter because there’s only one person who would dare to take such a risk.
Soft lips nibble at my ear. “And I am the only one who would ever take that fucking risk. Anybody else, you better cut their asses like you do those lamb chops you so love,” Yiorgos whispers.
Dropping the knife, I spin in Yiorgos’ arms, then look at his handsome face before kissing him. I tried not to show it to Zoe, momma or daddy but I was genuinely worried about him, Tahir, Basil, and the others. If Hollis tried to burn down the bookstore, what would he have waiting on them when they showed up?
Peppering his face with kisses, I ask, “Please, tell me all of this is over with?”
“It is,” Yiorgos replies, tightening his arms around me. He puts me in a lip lock that has my right leg bending up at the knee. His effect on me should have me scared out of my fucking mind but I embrace all of it and him.
“So, I can go back to my apartment tomorrow and start cleaning up the bookstore?”
Yiorgos stalls for a moment before replying, “Yes, you can.”
I clap my hands, trying to jump up and down but his grip stops me.
“You can go but I will be going with you. Hollis may be gone but we don’t know who was working with him. So, it’s either I go back with you, or you stay here until I feel it’s safe enough for you to return.”
Lacing my fingers behind his neck, I bat my eyes, replying, “Now, how could I turn down you staying at the apartment with me? I know my space may be small compared to what you’re accustomed to, but I would love to share it with you.”
Yiorgos’ haunting blue eyes fixate on me. His perfect set of teeth are on full display as his full radiant smile.
Like magnets, my lips draw to his. To some, our display might seem explicit as we grope each other like we’re in our own little world. The only thing that stops us is Zoe loudly clearing her throat.
“Um, excuse me but we would like to eat before we have to be on our way,” she says as Basil stands behind her with a smirk.
I snicker, laying my forehead against Yiorgos’ chest before moving to the side. “Then come finish getting the salad ready while I finish the chicken,” I tell her.
Going to check on the chicken, I ask Yiorgos, “Where are the others?”
He takes a seat at the table as Basil goes over to the refrigerator and pulls out two bottles of beer. Basil takes the tops off, then throws them in the trash can. As Yiorgos takes the bottle from him, he replies, “Alistair, Mike and Tech went to their condo. Malichi went home to check on his family and Tahir is at the condo Zoe and Basil are staying in.”
Zoe, who’s wiping her rewashed hands, whips around. “Why is he at our condo? Why didn’t Tahir go to our parents? Hell, he could’ve come here.”
Basil laughs, responding, “He didn’t want to stay with your parents because they’re having their mini vacation and he didn’t want to stay here because he thought the newly engaged couple would like some privacy. Plus, I don’t mind him there with us. We have two extra bedrooms, and the master is on the other side of the condo.”
“Fine,” she says, going back to cut the lettuce. She stops and stares at Basil. “But since I wasn’t in on that decision, I’ll take the master bedroom and you can sleep in the other guest room.”
Basil gives her the same energy before murmuring, “Yeah, okay.” He smirks at Zoe, taking a swig of his beer. I wonder how the rest of the night will end for them once they get back to the condo, but from the seductive glares they’re throwing at one another, I think I already know the answer.
Changing the subject, I ask to Zoe, “Guess what?”
“What?” She questions, focused on the vegetables.
“I’m going home tomorrow,” I excitingly reply.
Zoe looks up at me. “If you’re going home, then so am I. Momma and daddy can finish their getaway and go home Monday.”
