Spencer bounced around their legs and Adam realized he hadn’t fed the poor dog either. He’d actually ignored him all day which wasn’t fair. Seems the three of them all had abandonment issues of some sort. What a great team they would make. I seriously suck at relationships, that’s plain to see. Best I lift my game.
He pointed out the coffee machine to Lena and opened the pantry door to get out a small tub of food for Spencer. “Sorry, buddy. I’m not looking after you very well, am I?” He tore the top off the tub, tipped the dog food into a bowl, and placed it on the floor, sliding down the wall to sit with Spencer while he ate and watched Lena pottering around his kitchen. I like her here, in my house making herself at home. It’s cozy and very comforting. I wonder if I’d have gone and hit the bottle if she was here when I came in?
“You use a pod machine?” Lena glanced at him with a raised eyebrow and he laughed.
“Yes I do. Sorry for being such a heathen, but I prefer easy at the best of times and this is idiot proof.”
She shook her head, put a coffee pod in the hatch and a mug underneath the spout before hitting the button, a frown still on her forehead. The heady aroma of strong coffee wafted out of the mug and Adam sighed. Seems he’d neglected his coffee hits today as well. “Black is fine, thanks.” The more the better. Might be a few more cups after that one, I’m thinking.
Lena handed him the mug and made one for herself before she took the lid off the pasta dish to check it. “This might not taste as good heated up, but I don’t think it will be too bad.” She opened cupboards searching for bowls. When she found them, she took two down and filled them with pasta before placing them in the microwave and blitzing them for thirty seconds.
When she opened the door, the fatty smoked flavor of the bacon made his stomach rumbled. I needed you tonight more than I can say.
“Where did you want to eat this?” Lena stood with forks in her hand.
“How about the breakfast bar?” That’s if I can get up on my own. He scrambled to his feet and held himself up straight as made his way over to join her. “Smells incredible.” Adam took a deep sniff before sitting on the stool opposite her. Something is turning out right today, I’m glad it’s with you.
“Something simple and easy.” Lena twirled her fork around the fettuccini before placing it in her mouth.
Adam watched her place her lips around the fork and pull it clean from her mouth. That is the sexiest thing I’ve seen for ages. “I appreciate you cooking for me. Not many people would even care about what their neighbors are going through.” Moving here was the best thing I’ve done. And you moving back… He reached over and wiped a spot of cream sauce from her chin. “Your folks have been amazing ever since I moved in, not what I’m used to at all.”
“Well, that’s how we were brought up, you know. Help out your neighbor or friends if you can, and they in turn will look out for you. At least that’s the way it’s supposed to go.”
“Tell me about your family.” He stabbed a piece of bacon and pushed it around the edge of the plate, mopping up as much sauce as he could before putting it in his mouth. He watched her talk while he chewed, not sure which he was enjoying more.
“You know my folks. Dad has had his practice in town for as long as I can remember. He likes small towns and is more than happy dealing with locals and their problems. Mama says it keeps him out of her hair.” Lena laughed. “Not sure if you noticed, but my parents are still so in love after all these years together.” A tinge of pink brushed her cheekbones.
You suit that glow. Now you’ve been here a few weeks I see it more and I’m glad. “How long have they been together?”
“They met when Papa was a fledgling lawyer. He’d only just hung up his shingle outside his office when he noticed Mama walking down the street with Nona one day. He made a promise to himself he would find out who she was and he did too. Nona had the restaurant in town and Mama waitressed there on the weekends. During the week she attended secretarial school.”
“I gather he passed muster with Nona then.”
Lena smiled, a dreamy look crossing her face. “That he did. The way Nona told it, he would come every Saturday night and have a meal. It took him months to ask her out, but eventually he did and the rest, well, you can figure it out, I’m sure.”
Sounds like a marriage made in heaven. “They seem very well matched. Don’t you have a sister too?”
“Yes, I do. Nicole lives in Amsterdam so we don’t see that much of her, sadly. I’ve never had the money or the time to go over there and she’s always too busy to come home. Hopefully she will sooner or later. I miss not spending time with her.”
“What does she do that makes her so busy?” Adam put his fork down and rested his chin on his hands watching her.
“She works for some government department as a translator. Goes all over the world and gets to meet so many important people.” Lena looked at his empty plate. “Did you want some more?”
“No, thanks. That was perfect.” You’re perfect. “I might go another coffee though. How about you?” He held out his hand for her mug.
“Sure, thanks, and then I should go home. I want to tuck Kyle into bed.”
Chapter 18
“Mum,
