large, worn leather sofa with a distinct lack of ceremony. I

as if she'd been burned. A hot blush crept up her cheeks, a traitorous r

decorations, no art on the walls. Just a few shelves of well-worn books, a sturdy wooden coffee table, and a small, functional kitchen. But it was

two steaming mugs of tea. She set them on the coffee table, her smile

ss, filled it with ice water from the fridge, and drank half of it in one lo

to Stella. She sat on the edge of the sofa, taking Stella's hand in her

. It had been years since anyone had shown her such uncomplicated kindness.

o establish the terms of this interaction. She reached

, please

, but I'm determined to cover any medical expenses he might hav

tok

room, were quiet, but they sliced

f water held loosely in his hand. But his knuckles were white. His eyes, whic

"You think you can write a check for a life?" he asked, his voice dripping

p to meet his anger. "That's not what I meant," she retorted,

," he sh

me thick with tension. They stared at each

ammed her teacup down on the table, the porcelain rattling in

r's tone. A muscle in his jaw clenched, but to her utter astonishment, he clamped his mouth shut.

the checkbook from Stella's hands and tucked it back into her purse. "We don't

with a theatrical groan. "Oh, my aching back. Julian, be a d

s face. But Eleanor simply raised a silver eyebrow, her gaze unyield

erful plaid apron and tied it around his narrow waist. The contrast between th

the sound of sizzling butter filled the apartment, followed by the ric

"He's a bit rough around the edges, but he has a good heart. And his

ouldered man expertly tending to the simmering pot on the stove. The god of the inferno, the cold-ey

ing platter of Osso Buco in the center, its rich sauce glistening. He untied the apron, to

unctuated only by Eleanor's cheerful chatter. Julian ate with a focused intens

mall piece of the Osso Buco

actically melted in her mouth. It was, without a doubt, the best thing she had ever tast

ped her. "This is...incredible," she

th. For a fleeting second, she saw a flicker of something in his eyes-pride,

his throat, put the fork do

e grumbled, refusin

dictory state of tension and warmth. When it was over, Ste