Page 42 of Restless Ink
He leaned forward. “Oh?”
She swallowed hard.
“What is it?”
“I’m thinking of expanding.” She explained her plans, and Dimitri couldn’t help but smile. She sounded so excited about it, even as he could tell she was nervous.
“You’re going to fucking rock at it. I can’t wait.”
“It means if it happens, I’ll have even less time than I do now.”
He shrugged, though that part sucked. “We’ll make it work. I’m so proud of you.”
“It’s scary, but I’m getting excited. And speaking of food and cooking, I need to finish.” She left him to head back into the kitchen, and he couldn’t help but watch the way she walked.
He liked the way she moved.
“What are we having for dinner tonight?” he asked as they walked into the kitchen.
She stood in front of the stove, blocking his view. “Close your eyes and guess.”
He grinned and did so, opening his mouth as she put the fork between his lips. As the first taste burst on his tongue, he knew he’d made a mistake.
He quickly stepped back and opened his eyes, letting out a curse. “Shrimp linguini?”
Her face fell. “Is it too salty?”
He shook his head and pulled out his wallet, reaching for that little pink allergy pill that he used every once in a while. He quickly went to the counter, spit out the pasta in a paper towel and downed his allergy pill. Thea was there with a glass of water without saying a word, and he chugged it, meeting her eyes for the first time.
She had tears running down her cheeks but wasn’t making a sound. Instead, she just looked at him with a pale face and wide eyes.
When he finished the water, he leaned against the counter and sighed. “So…I guess I should have mentioned I have a shellfish allergy.”
She wiped her face, then went to the sink and washed her hands. “I washed my hands before you came over, and I haven’t touched the shrimp since, but I want to be doubly sure. Do we need to take you to the hospital? Do you have an Epi-pen?”
“I’m okay. Really. I don’t have an Epi-pen because insurance doesn’t cover it and it’s way too expensive on its own. Yeah, it’s a risk, but I’m usually more careful.”
She wrapped her arms around her waist and let out a breath. “I know food allergies. I deal with them carefully at the bakery, but I honestly didn’t think of it at home.”
“It’s not your fault.” He went to her, wrapping his arms around her. “My allergy isn’t as bad as some people’s. And I’m not even a little tingly from it. I’ll be fine. I’ll get sleepy thanks to the allergy pill, but I’m no worse for wear.”
“I’m so sorry. I must have gotten it wrong from Molly somehow.”
He frowned. “Maybe. It doesn’t matter. No harm. No foul.”
“I can’t believe I almost killed you.”
“You didn’t almost kill me. I should have checked before I tasted. I know better. I’ve lived with this allergy my whole life.”
“And yet I almost killed you the first time I wanted to make what I thought was your favorite meal. I should have stuck with lasagna.”
“Next time, we’ll make that together, baby. I’m okay. It happens. One day, I’ll tell you about the time my brother Devin thought he bought fake crab and ended up making full crab cakes I gobbled down. Mom wasn’t exactly happy.”
“I don’t know how I haven’t met your siblings yet.”
“It never worked out for dinners at the old place. One day, you can meet Devin, Caleb, and Amelia.”
“If I don’t kill you with shrimp first.” She rested her forehead on his chest, her head coming up under his chin as he held her close.