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Jace gives me a little smile. I was totally surprised when he asked me to do this. When he stopped by the apartment to check on me, I’d already been debating on coming back to the restaurant anyway. I have some ideas I want to hash out.
“Thanks for your help.”
“I’m a little hungry. Do you mind if I make us something to eat before we start on the cake?”
“I could eat. Take your time. Feed the baby. I can wait.”
“Do you mind if I put on my headphones? It calms me while I’m cooking.”
“It’s not like I’ll talk much. Why not?” He shrugs.
I laugh and go to get out something to cook up. I’m craving chicken egg rolls. I know we have some meat marinating in curry and coconut milk that will go perfect in them. They’ll be quick and tasty.
“You like chicken egg rolls?”
“I like food,” Jace says and pats his flat belly.
I place my headphones on and get busy making us egg rolls. My mind turns to Dario. I’m going to tell him about the baby tomorrow. It’s my Valentine’s Day gift.
I’m nervous, but excited. The worse that could happen, he’ll have me booked on the first flight to Italy. I wouldn’t mind. I miss him. I actually want to be with him through the rest of this pregnancy.
I get lost in cooking and the kitchen. This is my haven. I find a peace here like none other. I’ve never had this type of peace in the operating room. This is what I want my father to understand about me.
I find myself humming as I turn to place a plate in front of Jace. I push one of my headphones back away from my ear and watch him closely. His hair is down, softening his hard edges but not taking away from that silent-killer vibe he gives.
He gives me one of those nods before he picks up an egg roll and tucks in. “Mm,” he hums and nods some more.
“You like?”
He wipes his mouth. “This is great. So much flavor.”
“Thanks.” I turn and grab my plate as my own mouth waters.
I take a seat beside Jace and devour my food. I’m stuffed by the time my plate is empty. I look at the clock and see it’s getting really late and Jace still needs to drop me home and get home himself. I clean our dishes and get started on the cake.
As I’m measuring out dry ingredients, I look up to find Jace with his attention on his phone. I hope whoever this Valentine of his is appreciates him. He’s such a nice guy.
“Is that your Valentine?”
He looks up at me and smiles. “Let me help with that,” he says, as I go to pour the wet ingredients into the dry.
As he reaches out, he knocks over the metal mixing bowl with the flour in it. It tumbles to the floor, making a mess. I go to pick up the bowl, but he stops me.
“I’m sorry. I got it. I’ll clean this up. Don’t worry about it. You have a broom?”
“Yeah, over in that closet, right there.”
“Cool, I got this.”
He saunters over to the utility closet. I put my headphones back in place and go back to measuring and mixing. A caramel cake will be nice. He didn’t say what kind he wanted.
My thoughts turn to Dario. I wish we could be together for tomorrow. As the thought crosses my mind, my phone lights up with a text.
Rio: Hey, baby. You awake?
I smile, clean off my hands, and pick up the phone to reply.
Me: Yes. In the kitchen. Making a cake.
I put my phone down and place my hands on my back. It’s starting to hurt. I can’t help but wonder how hard being on my feet will be as I grow near the end of this pregnancy.
“Hey, you know what, you look tired. I don’t have to have this cake. It was a good idea in theory. Maybe next time. I’ll get this cleaned up and we can go,” Jace says.
“You sure?” Honestly, I’m pretty tired. I feel bad, but I’m also ready to face-plant.
“Yeah, I could always bring her here for dinner. That might be nicer.”
“I’ll hold a reservation for you two.”
“Thanks.”
Chapter 36
WTF
Dante
I’m lying in bed, about to send Carleen another text before I hop into the shower, when a text comes through from Dante. I open it and find a picture of Carleen. At first, I smile, thinking Gio told him to check in on her for me.
However, I narrow my eyes and enlarge the picture. Like her text said, she’s in the kitchen at Anima Mias. What stands out about the picture is her little protruding belly.
I sit up bolt straight with my head bent over my phone, trying to process what I’m looking at. I go from elated to ready to explode.
