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Chapter15
Ava
Dad was in the kitchen putting the final touches on his new recipe. It amused me how each recipe that involved rice and chicken could be considered new. But I was hungry and obviously not going to complain.
I’d been hungry a lot lately. I smiled down at my body but reminded myself not to touch my stomach while around Dad. He was too observant and I didn’t want to raise his suspicion.
I resumed setting the table, and my eyes went to the space Liam had occupied the one time he’d joined us. A smile framed my lips, and I ran my fingers over the back of the chair.
Maybe Dad could invite him again. We'd be able to hide our connection.
I snorted. Who was I kidding?
In the last few days, Liam and I had grown closer. I always found my way to his home after work. One look at my tired face and he'd run a bath or mineral soak for us.
Then he’d prepare the most delicious dinners. After we ate, we’d call it a night and turn in.
If it were only sex, it’d be easy to pinpoint why he wanted me around.
But sometimes, he’d turn me down with, “You need to rest.”
True, but I wanted him more than anything, even necessary bodily functions, like sleep.
No relationship, or whatever it was we had, had ever made me feel this much. No one had ever shown me such care, such tenderness.
At first, it confused me, maybe even scared me. I was worried about getting carried away. But as the days passed, he was steady as a rock.
Or was even more attentive.
I took my phone out and read the last text he sent. Just a simple checking-in message, but it warmed me inside.
He was present. So considerate. And we didn’t even have a label yet.
I imagined how he’d be with his child. I couldn’t resist rubbing my belly. He’d make a great dad.
“It’s all done.”
I whisked my hand away and turned to my dad. “Your rice and chicken.”
Dad grinned, placing the platter on the table. “I know you’re skeptical. But trust that aroma.”
I sniffed the air, and hunger clawed at my stomach. "Okay, you win. It smells delicious."
Dad retrieved a jug of fresh juice from the fridge. Thank heavens, I wouldn't have to make up excuses why I didn't want wine. I could just relax and eat.
He settled in, and we dished out the food.
The first spoonful had my eyes shutting in appreciation.
“Good?”
“The best,” I gushed. “Why didn’t you tell me it was so tasty?”
“I did. You didn’t trust me.”
"I'll never doubt you, ever again," I added more food to my plate and dug in.
We were halfway through when I looked up at Dad. He'd been just dad my whole life, with his knit sweaters and big square glasses. Liam's story about his early dreams came into my memory, and my curiosity grew.
