too scared her neighbor would strike like a cobra.
Stone couldn’t imagine Mrs. Blackfire at twenty-two. Happy. In love. Full of life. The woman across the table emanated a bitter strength that told a different story of how her life turned out.
“I made do.” Mrs. Blackfire stiffened her spine and her voice.
Arilyn offered a small smile. “You deserved more than that.”
Her neighbor looked startled. Cleared her throat. “Are we going to eat, or are you gonna launch into one of your healing chants?”
Patrick laughed and the spell was broken. Stone moved from the breakfast counter to the sturdy pine table and sat down. Arilyn handed out plates filled with steaming lasagna, fresh bread and butter, and a small side salad. Stone took a big whiff. Damn, it smelled good. When was the last time he had a home-cooked meal?
Too long ago to remember.
He took his fork, dug into a huge portion, and popped the bite in his mouth.
Stone didn’t know how long he chewed before the taste hit him. Along with the texture. What the hell kind of lasagna was this? He frowned, trying to figure out why the meat was soggy and tasted like crap. The tomatoes were good, but his teeth caught a carrot and some mushy stuff that mingled in his mouth. And not in a good way.
He managed to swallow. Shot a glance around the table.
Mrs. Blackfire chewed, then spit it out. “What is this?” she shrieked.
Patrick looked resigned, picking around the junk and trying to find a piece of plain pasta.
Arilyn blinked. “Vegetable lasagna. I told you.”
Mrs. Blackfire shook her head. “This is no lasagna, girl. And this is no meat.”
“It’s a soy substitute exactly like meat. Fresh vegetables, tomatoes, herbs. Oh, and the ricotta cheese is tofu based.”
Stone pushed his plate away. Nope. Not even for sex could he choke that junk down. If the guys at the station heard that he had even tried tofu, his man card would be yanked for good. “Umm, Arilyn, thanks, but I’m not as hungry as I thought. I’ll have bread.”
She glared and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “You said you were starving! What’s the matter? It took me all afternoon to make this. It’s healthy and filling.”
“Definitely healthy. And I do appreciate it. I had a late lunch, though.” He reached for bread, spread butter on it, and shoved it in his mouth. He’d fill up on carbs and it would be fine. He chewed, but the bread refused to dissolve.
Oh, hell, no. It was as if a field of wheat had been harvested and spread over his tongue. Crunchy seeds snapped under his teeth. Bread wasn’t supposed to taste like this! He managed a swallow and surrendered.
So did Mrs. Blackfire. And Poppy. They all stared at Arilyn and their plates in shared misery and guilt.
“You don’t like it?” she asked. Confusion flickered in her green eyes. “It’s all organic ingredients. I don’t understand.”
That’s when his heart did a strange flip-flop. He should’ve felt irritated at her for starving him, reminding himself once again why they were terrible together. But when was the last time a woman had cooked for him? Cared about his diet?
He spoke up. “Arilyn, thank you. I know you cooked your ass off for us, and we appreciate it. But we’re just not as highly evolved. At least, not yet.”
She nodded. “Too many processed foods and sugars in your regular diet? You can’t appreciate the flavors of food in a natural environment?”
“Yes!” they all said in unison.
Poppy lit up. “Can we order a pizza?”
“I don’t like peppers or anchovies,” Mrs. Blackfire stated.
“Pepperoni?” Stone suggested. “And half veggie.” Poppy and Mrs. Blackfire stared, obviously not happy with that. “It’ll be good for us,” he said more firmly. “Okay?”
Poppy nodded. “Okay. I’ll get the phone. Garlic knots, too?”
“Definitely.”
He snuck a glance over. Prepared for her temper or general crankiness over having her dinner guests rebel after she had spent her day trying to please them. He didn’t blame her. He’d probably be bitchy if he tried to do something nice that no one wanted.
Instead, a reluctant smile tugged at those lush lips. “Fine. But I want black olives and eggplant on mine or I’m not eating it.”
Stone realized she was even more trouble than he realized. Because she was beginning to touch not only his body but his heart.
thirteen
ARILYN LOOKED UP as Kate and Kennedy barged into her office, sank down in the matching purple chairs, and waited.