since.
“Fine.” She blows out a breath. “But can I watch Frozen?”
“Yes.”
I wait. She picks up the fork, takes one bite, and spits it out. “It’s yucky.”
Groaning, I turn toward the kitchen and take out the dino nuggets from the freezer. I know, I’m a pushover. I have to pick my battles. Ones that don’t come with me sitting at that damn table all night begging her to eat something she hates.
It’s after seven. I’ve eaten already, as did Tatum. Dino nuggets dipped in applesauce.
I’ve set up a spot at the eating booth with a plate, napkin, glass… it looks like a damn restaurant. Why am I doing this? Is sex really the answer? I told him he could rent the room, and the moment he works his way into my life, he wants to offer up his dick too?
Who is this guy?
Hello, I’m Sydney, and I have an addiction. His name is Cason Jarrett Reins, and I’d like to know how I can resist him. Is there some kind of vaccine? Please let there be one!
Tempted to run over and remove the note, forget about serving him dinner, that’s when I hear a knock at the back french doors. I glance over, my heart in my throat.
With shaking in my goddamn bones, I make my way over to the back doors. I’m sure you can guess what Tatum’s doing. Watching Frozen and ripping all the couch cushions off the furniture. Jumping from one to the next, she treats them like stepping-stones as she sings, “Do you wanna build a snowman?” while it’s seventy-five degrees outside.
I catch sight of Cason, his hair disheveled and eyes bright. “Hey, honey, I’m home,” he whispers seductively and grabs my ass when he comes in.
Thankfully, Tatum doesn’t notice. I motion toward the booth. “Cute. Now eat.”
“Bossy. I like it.” He glances toward the kitchen booth. Something, an emotion, I’m not sure, but it flickers in his eyes, and then it’s gone just as easily. His eyes move to mine. “You made me food?”
“Yeah. Did you eat already?”
He shakes his head and drops his hand where his phone is ringing. He ignores it and slides it into his pocket. “No. Ez stole my Chipotle.”
I smile. “He did his job. I shall give him Sadie’s number now.”
Cason’s shoulders shake. “You really shouldn’t be using Ez as your ally.”
“I’ll take my chances.” We move toward the table.
A smirk surfaces as he sits down and eyes the spread I’ve laid out on the table. “You cooked for me?”
I swallow over the lump forming. “I made dinner. I didn’t cook for you specifically.” I’m the worst liar ever.
He quirks his head to the side quickly and then back. “I think you did, and you don’t want to admit it.”
I slide into the booth across from him. “Cat’s out of the bag.”
His eyes move to the plate. “You made me Thanksgiving?” You can’t miss the spark of emotion in his eyes and the trip in his words. At least I don’t.
I nod.
“I haven’t had a homecooked meal in five years.”
My heart melts. “What? Really?”
He swallows, pain evident, and shifts in the booth, as if he’s uncomfortable sharing the personal details of his life with anyone. Picking up the fork, he brings the first bite to his lips and I watch with fiery desire as his mouth closes around the twines.
“You don’t go home on breaks?”
Another shake of his head. “No. I left after graduation for summer ball in the Cape Cod league. Then freshman year started.”
“And you haven’t been home since?”
“No, not really. Not to Lake Charles where I grew up. I go up to Washington. Sometimes. Not often though. Baseball takes up all my time. If I’m not playing in school, I play in the summer leagues.” He winks. “Nobody cooks like this for me though.”
Heart. Melted.
“I’m curious,” he begins, taking a drink of the beer I offer him. “How is it that you know so much about baseball?”
“My dad was the head coach at the University of Arizona.”
He searches my eyes. “Was?”
“He passed away seven years ago. Two days after my mom died of cancer.”
“Shit.” He hangs his head. “I’m sorry.”
I shrug one shoulder. “It’s okay. It was a long time ago.” It sucks, but what are you going to say to that. Me too? I am sorry that he’s gone, and Tatum never got to meet her grandparents. But there’s also not much I can do about it.
It’s sometime after he’s had two helpings of the casserole, sang