Page 8 of Cherished

“Having fun?”

Roger looks up and stiffens. “Sorry, sir.”

I smile. “Don’t be. And thank you for doing this, Roger.”

“Of course, sir”

Mia grins. “Roger and I just figured out that Pulp Fiction is both of our favorite movies.”

“Never seen it.”

Her jaw drops in shock. “What!? Are you crazy? It’s so good! Tell him, Roger!”

Roger smirks at me. I get the feeling he’s curious about the arrangement of Mia staying here. I also get the feeling he knows I’m going to have my hands full with this little firecracker.

“You have to, it’s one of the best movies ever.”

“I don’t know how I’ve possibly made it this far,” I tease.

“Anything else, sir?” Roger asks.

“You hungry?”

“Tom’s cooking tonight, sir,” he answers in his usual stiff tone.

I smile. “Alright, get home then. Tell Tom I say hi. And thanks again, Roger.”

“Of course, sir.”

Roger turns and smiles briefly at Mia. Then he heads out, closing the door behind him. Mia smiles at me curiously.

“Is he your butler or something?”

I laugh. “Or something. An assistant, sort of.”

“He’s very stiff around you. He was way more fun at my place.”

I chuckle. “I’m his boss, and it’s easy for guys like us to lapse into chains of command and rank.”

She frowns. “Guys like you?”

“Veterans.”

“You were in the army?”

I smile and head back into the kitchen. Mia follows me in. “Marines. So was Roger, actually. We didn’t serve together though.”

She nods. Then her eyes perk up. “My God what smells so good?”

“Kaeng Hung Lei.”

“Um, what?”

I grin. “It’s a traditional Thai dish. Burmese style pork curry with veggies and tamarind. You’re going to fucking love it, I promise.”

She looks bewildered and excited at the same time. “I can have some?”

“Mia, yes, of course,” I chuckle. “You’re living here. I’m makingusdinner.”