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So was mine. Liam needed to backoff.
I waved the cooking spoon between them. “You two, stop it. Anyone who says another word between now and dinner will not be getting any food. Clear?” I felt like a referee between two children but, unfortunately, my dear friend was thebully.
Liam’s mouth flattened before he turned away to get the bowls. Grant still had his raptor stare on, following my friend’s movements, and making no move to step away fromme.
Returning with the bowls, Liam gave Grant a brief glance, before handing me the dishes. I scooped steaming chicken and dumplings into the first bowl and set it on the counter. I had an idea how two alpha males would behave if I gave one his food first. They’d both insist on waiting for me to eat. So, to avoid any awkwardness, I filled the three bowls without handing themout.
I opened the utensil drawer and handed each man a soup spoon and fork, then I picked up my chicken and dumplings and headed to the table without a word. They stood back and I heard terse, whispered conversation, but I didn’t pay them any mind. I sat down on the lone chair at the table, took an exaggerated inhale of the ultimate comfort food, and dug in, blowing gently, before I took my firstbite.
The two men settled on the bench with their soup, but Grant managed to get to the edge closer tome.
“I believe she’s ignoring us,” my friendmuttered.
“Believe so, Liam,” Grantreplied.
I looked up from my bowl, slightly annoyed. “Are you two best friendsnow?”
“Hardly,” Liamretorted.
“We called a truce,” Grant said, shooting the other man a warning glance. “We apologize if we’ve ruined your mood fordinner.”
I sighed and lifted my chin to his dish. “Eat.” I projected nonchalance, but I was sneaking glances at Grant beneath my lashes. He took a spoonful of hot dumpling and closed his eyes. Deciphering his expression was tricky. I wasn’t sure if it was enjoyment or agony on hisface.
“Did you burn yourtongue?”
He swallowed his food without answering and took another bite, and then another. He must be reallyhungry.
Finally, after his fourth bite, he smacked his lips with enthusiasm. “Damn. Tastiest chicken and dumplings I’ve everhad.”
There was a disgruntled snort coming from the other end of the bench but we both ignored it. I was preening under Grant’s compliment and I wasn’t going to let my overprotective friend mar the moment. Admittedly, I put a lot of effort into making this soup and it was one of the best I’d evermade.
“Thanks,” I said and continued to eat mydinner.
Grant quickly polished off his first serving, got up unsteadily, and went back for seconds. I worried that he was going to feel sick by eating too much when his stomach had been empty for so long. I didn’t say anything, though, because his color hadimproved.
He sat back down and he grinned at me. “What else do youmake?”
“Are you planning on staying here indefinitely?” Liamasked.
“No,” Grant shot back. “But I plan to visitoften.”
Oh,shit!
I shot Liam a panicked look, but he didn’t catch it because he was glowering at Grant, who seemed more interested in the dumplings and was oblivious that the other man could easily murder him and hide his body. I watched Grant pack away his second bowl and was thankful that I had the foresight to cook twochickens.
“I make a mean seafood gumbo,” I said, looking indulgently at his empty dish. Why in the world was Ibragging?
Grant’s eyes lit up as he gazed at me with unmistakable adoration. “Angel, you have to marry menow.”
Angel.My jaw hurt from containing the smile that wanted to break out. Liam’s glare was like a laser from across the table. I knew I’d be hearing words from him later, but I also knew my boundaries. Couldn’t I enjoy feeling like a woman just this once—adored and wanted? Sadly, I knew I couldn’t afford to indulge in suchmoments.
“Right,” I said, giving Grant a sidelong glance that told him I wasn’t taking what he said seriously. He protested when I picked up his bowl and put it on top ofmine.
“Let the food settle down,” I advised, reverting to nurse-mode. “There’s more if you want some. Liam?” I turned to my friend. “Want anotherround?”
He slid his bowl across the table to me and nodded. I sighed. My friend was brooding. Grant unsettled him. I didn’t blame him—our guest unsettled me too. With a sinking heart, I knew Grant would be leavingsoon.
3
