Page 101 of Even Ground

“Uh huh. Anyway, you said you were here to talk, but I’m starving. Want to eat first?”

He grins. “I’d love to. The food on the plane was fine, but it feels like hours ago.”

“It won’t be anything too exciting.”

Reece shrugs. “I’ve eaten your cooking. It’s not as good as Delaney’s but it’ll do.”

I gape at him, slapping his arm. “Hey.”

“I’m kidding.” He laughs. “Tomorrow I’ll take you out to dinner to say thank you.”

“For what?”

“For not freaking out too much when I arrived.”

I roll my eyes and turn toward the kitchen. “Oh, I freaked out alright.”

“I doubt you ever freak out.”

Opening the fridge, I pull out the chicken breasts I’d taken out to defrost this morning. My plan had been to make enough for lunch for my final day of school, but I might treat myself to a bought lunch instead.

“You surprised me. I nearly got in trouble for texting in class.”

He laughs. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. I told dragon lady that I gasped because I’d stabbed myself with a pin.”

“Did it work?”

I shrug. “Probably not, but she doesn’t like me that much to start with.”

Reece frowns. “I don’t get how anyone doesn’t. You’re smart, talented, and I’m your best friend.”

I pat his cheek. “Second best.”

He captures my wrist, his eyes sparkling. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

I chop up some vegetables and turn the element on, heating up my wok to cook a stir fry. It doesn’t take long until everything’s sizzling away, and Reece comes up behind me.

“That smells good.”

“I hope you like it.”

He kisses my temple. “I’m pretty sure I’ll like anything you cook.”

My heart thuds. “It’s so weird that you’re here.”

Reece turns me around. “I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

I gaze into his eyes. It’s so hard to wrap my head around the fact that he’s here—here for me. Butterflies take off in my stomach as his eyes drink me in. “Don’t make me burn the food. Sit at the table and I’ll bring some over soon.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he says softly.

I turn back to the food. It’s nearly done, so I grab a couple of plates from the cupboard and dish up the food.

After stashing the leftovers in the fridge, I carry the plates to the table and place them down before returning to grab some condiments and forks.

Sitting at the table, we both start to eat.