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“Sure you can. But you have to be careful. It’s hot.” I dipped a wooden spoon into the pot of simmering sauce, brought it up to my lips, and blew away the steam. “Okay, give it another blow and then you can try it.”
Lucy did so and then stuck out her tongue as far as it would go to carefully taste the sauce. “Mmm. It’s so good. Usually Daddy just uses sauce from a jar.”
“Well, that’s just as good. Doesn’t take as long as making it from scratch.”
“Yeah, but it’s not as tasty.”
We smiled at each other. I already felt like we’d known each other a lot longer than just one day. I hoped she felt the same.
The front door opened. I could hear Wesley take a few heavy steps inside. “Hello?”
Lucy jumped in excitement and skittered into the front hall, crying out, “Daddy!”
I threw a glance at the clock on the stove.Just past seven.Pretty good for a billionaire mogul. I followed slowly as to give them a moment to greet one another. When I peeked into the hallway, Wesley and Lucy were entangled in a big hug. It was clear she adored him.
Screw what my parents say. This guy is a good man.
“How’d it go today?” he asked, eyes flicking up to me.
Thank goodness Lucy spoke first because I was rendered speechless by his gaze. The tired look I had seen in the picture was there…something about that made me want to take care of him. Make him dinner, put him to bed, and maybetake care of himin some other moreunmentionableways, too.
“It was great. We played Go Fish, and with my animals, and Cara let me eat lunch in my room, and —” she slapped her hand over her mouth “— I wasn’t supposed to say that.”
I gulped. There was a gap of silence and I felt he was surely going to reprimand me, but then Wesley spoke. “I guess it was a special day.” He eyed me. “But not something to make a habit.”
“Of course, it was just a…” I finally found my voice. “We were on an expedition. It couldn’t be interrupted. The penguins have a virus going around and it was very intense.”
Wesley laughed as he got to his feet. “Oh, she’s got you roped into one of her expeditions, huh? Well, I guess you’re right, not even a scientist can stop for lunch.”
I bit my lip. Phew. That could have been bad. “We had a really great day.”
Wesley smiled. “That’s wonderful to hear.” He sniffed the air. “Wow, something smells delicious.”
I’d completely forgotten about the savory aroma of dinner. All I could smell was Wesley’s cologne — warm leather and earthy.
Lucy grabbed his hand and dragged him into the kitchen. “We’re having spaghetti and Cara made sauce from scratch!”
“Wow. It smells amazing.”
I grabbed my coat off the hall tree and slid it on as I followed. “There’s garlic bread in the oven. And I steamed some broccolini earlier. Just pop it in the microwave to warm up when everything’s ready.”
Lucy’s eyes went big. They were the exact same color as her father’s. “You’re leaving?”
“I…” I looked to Wesley. “Well, that was the plan, I thought.”
“Yes, absolutely. Cara’s got her own life and plans, Lucy. We can’t keep her here forever.”
Her face fell. She tugged on Wesley’s arm.
Wesley sighed. “Sorry, Cara.” He bent down so Lucy could whisper in his ear. Though I couldn’t make out the words, her whispering was loud and scratchy. “I suppose you could.”
Lucy giddily clapped and started toward me.
“But you can’t be upset if she says no, Luce,” Wesley added.
She nodded and then looked up at me. “Cara…would you please stay for dinner?”
I felt a rush of excitement. Although, I wasn’t sure whether that had to do with spending more time with Lucy or with her father. Maybe it was both. “Of course, I’ll stay.” I turned to Wesley. “As long as it’s truly alright with you.”
