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"Come on, big guy, time for Oaks to wow me with food," I said as I parked and shut off the car.
"Thanks, Serenity. Sometimes my dad just..." He trailed off and looked out the window. "I don't want to cut him off like Colt. It feels wrong."
"Treating your son like trash is wrong," I said gently. "Take it from someone who felt that way before, cut ties and live for yourself."
"Maybe I will," he offered, giving me a soft smile before climbing out. "Come on, let's get some food in you."
My phone pinged again and I checked it before climbing out.
Jackson: Don't forget about us while we're gone
Serenity: Wasn't planning on it. Any news?
Jackson: He's still out of it, the others are trying to cope, that's about it.
Serenity: Where are you guys staying?
Jackson: Our old apartment.
He sent the address just in case before we said a quick goodbye. Texting them today had been fast and quick as they got Evrin's affairs in order. Amos had hired a full cleaning crew for Evrin's place and they were choosing options of where to send him.
"Everything alright?" Isaac asked when I finally climbed out.
"Yeah, just checking in with Jackson. They're having a tough time. I'm going to send them some dinner in a little bit at least," I explained, trying not to let that situation bog me down. I may not have had a place by Evrin's side, but I did by theirs, even if not in person.
"You're a good person, Serenity," he said, giving me a quick squeeze before letting me lead the way upstairs.
The entire floor smelled fantastic when we stepped onto the landing. Spices mixed in the air and my stomach growled. We made it halfway down before Mrs. Bennet's door opened and she peeked out.
"What is going on in there?" she demanded. "It smells awful, you need to stop this right now."
"There is nothing in the lease that says I can't cook," I reminded her. "Though there are rules about having pets."
She let out a huff and disappeared behind her door. Isaac snorted and followed me inside my apartment.
"Is she always that pleasant?"
I laughed. "No, it's usually worse."
"Some people are just hateful," he said, glancing around and taking my apartment in. Between the boho style and the clutter, I figured it was a far cry different than what they were used to. Then again, they were used to living on yachts.
"Did the old lady come by again?" Sawyer asked as he met us in the foyer.
"Oh god, did she give you guys shit?" I groaned. "I swear that woman has no boundaries whatsoever."
"She tried to accuse us of breaking in but we had a key," he explained.
Vince joined us to add his two cents in. "Yeah, then knocked when Oaks got to work complaining about the noise. He was literally just chopping veggies."
"She's a joy to have around. One time I woke up early for a shift and I was being 'too loud' because I dropped my keys in the hall," I said as I put my stuff away and headed for the kitchen. "Don't listen to her. It smells so good in here."
Oaks’s concentration was impressive. His eyebrows were scrunched as he moved from one task to the other, chopping, stirring, mixing. It was a perfectly synchronized dance that had me leaning against the door to watch him. His hair was tied back with a bandana over it. He borrowed my apron that was a black one that said 'cooking for my coven.' I couldn't seem to say anything to interrupt, my eyes following every shift of his muscles as he moved and the way he mumbled quietly to himself.
"He's impressive, isn't he?" My cheeks heated as I glanced at Colt.
"I was thinking sexy, but yes that works, too," I joked as I finally pushed off the wall. "It smells phenomenal. Need any help?"
"Absolutely not," he said, pointing a wooden spoon at me. "I'm cooking for you. Out." His command had me holding up my hands and backing away.
