know I'll

chen only cooks for p

se r

in

ed over and sat across from him. Not because

st

ng to thank

rday's slippers

is acc

good. I already thanked you for t

almost smiled and decided it was bad fo

or a whole family. Every favor given, every debt

s like

ights. "What's harder is when the owner o

them. She looked back at him. "Sorry. You

r," he said. "The kit

pau

she l

rough, and real. The first real laug

id. "Then I ow

d on her for a

ot ordered. Eira ate without pretending elegance. Alpha Killian read his papers and d

ht the bill, Alpha Ki

r card down

rows

e reminded him. "Don

e, he leaned

, paying for soup felt better than receiv

d too quickly or try to walk her upstairs.

ht, Mr. S

sharpened

tired smile. "B

, Eira went back

or. What she saw

ofa. She wore thin, see-through c

. He had never cooked a day in his l

was almo

o much that he had vetoed an open kitchen when they renov

ind a closed kitchen door, so that

he rule only

e kitchen. She was proud. "Do you get it now

sweet. "-someone he u

She let her

in. Nothi

d. "Are you asking

owed a quick fla

e again. She straightened her back. "

ra said. "

eally wanted him to

ra's answer. She froze. She cou

Sebastian came ou

nt tea. He saw Eira's face

ined before Eira could ask. "I'm maki

s likely the first time he had carried so

ed it. Le

ght to Eira. "I'll get a hea

s so hot, Eira cou

s curved up. Like she was takin

he cup. Serena

. A few drops of tea sp

even enough to m

with boiling oil. She quickly pulled he

fast. Faster than re

h.

bed Serena's wrist to check it. Then he t

d back," Eira said.

't beli

. The few drops of tea were sti

p at Eira. His e

that on

ose fiv

tions.

ded it was E

k on the table. It made a soft

y. "Sebastian, just forget it.

ook in just

It opened the last little bi

was low. Like a ve

idn't

d, apo

ery still for

rd "apologize" coming from his mouth

said. "I'l

down. She picked up the cup she had just p

ir

poured all the tea