A true home-cooked dinner isn’t usually something I get unless I go to my folks’ house. Since they’ve been traveling a lot now that they’re both retired, dinners at their place are few and far between.
“Thanks for coming tonight,” Xander says, tilting his head to look at me as we walk through the house. “I know it was kind of short notice, but she sprung it on me earlier.”
I smile, nudging his arm with mine, trying to ignore the spark that ignites under my skin from the contact. “Thanks for inviting me. I probably would’ve just had delivery pizza otherwise.”
That’s a lie.Whit’s cooking dinner for everyone over at my house, but there’s no way I’m missing this.
“My aunt’s always been an incredible cook, but she doesn’t do it often. It’s like a treat when she does.”
The hallway opens to the kitchen, where she’s working away at the stove. She glances up as we walk in, setting her spoon down and wiping her hands on the front of her apron, before crossing the space and pulling me in for a hug. “Hi, Cope,” she murmurs, the sound muffled by the hug. She smells like herbs and spices, making it clear she’s been in the kitchen for a while. “Happy to have you here.”
“Thank you for inviting me, Ms. Dawson,” I reply. “It smells incredible.”
“Hope you’re hungry.” She pulls back with a smile. “I’ve made plenty.”
I take a seat beside Xander at the bar, and we all fall into an easy, light conversation as she works on the meal. Eventually, she asks Xander to get the salad ready. Watching him cut and spin the lettuce, then dice up the tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers is far more mesmerizing than it oughta be. Every once in a while, he’ll glance up from his task, gaze meeting mine, and it’s like a moment passes between us. A wordless one that feels significant.
When he’s done making the salad, I help him set the table. Through all of this, we weave around each other effortlessly. Sure, there’s conversation flowing between the three of us, but it’s small talk—Colette asking me about the rodeo, we all discuss her farm, Xander talks a little bit about his business and how it’s going from here, that kind of thing. As far as Xander and I go, there’s not really room for us to talk about anything meaningful or heavy. It doesn’t feel awkward or uncomfortable, though. It feels…nice.
Once the lasagna is finished, we sit down and dish up. My stomach is now steadily growling, and when I take the first bite, it’s an effort to not groan. “Colette, this is amazing.”
“Well, thank you, dear. I’m glad you like it.”
The three of us fall into a comfortable silence while we take our first few bites. There’s the lasagna, a fresh garlic bread, and salad, and I can’t get enough of any of it.
Xander is the first to speak. “When do you go to Vegas?” he asks me, wiping his mouth with the napkin.
“In about two weeks.”
“And you’re gone for a week?”
“Ten days,” I correct him. “Well, it’s a ten-day competition event, but I’ll be there for closer to two weeks. There’re a bunch of panels and events we participate in prior to the main event.”
“What’s in Vegas?” Colette chimes in, curiosity swimming in her glinting eyes.
“Rodeo finals, ma’am.”
“Oh, enough with the ma’am.” She waves me off, and I can’t help but chuckle. “Now, that sounds fun. Do you do it every year?”
“If I make it to finals, yes.” It’s my turn to wipe my mouth with the napkin, setting it in my lap when I’m finished.
“Which he always does,” Xander chimes in, a wide grin on his face.
“Notalways,” I counter, a matching smile on my face.
“Don’t be modest,” he teases. Turning his attention to his aunt, he says, “From what I’ve seen, Cope is incredible at what he does. You said you were close to winning the world title last year, right?”
I nod. “Right.” Pride swells in my chest at hearing Xander tell his aunt about me. About what he’s learned from listening to me, but also from what he’s watched when he looked me up online. “During the regular rodeo season, we compete in our event at different rodeos, earning points. The better you do, the more points and money you earn. By the time the season ends, the top fifteen for each event are chosen based on earnings to go to NFR,which is the grand finale of the year for professional rodeo. It’s held in Vegas every year, and it’s a huge event. People from all over the country travel there to watch it.”
Colette smiles and nods. “How fun! I’ve never been to a rodeo, but I want to. I know how big they are here. Do your family and friends get to come and watch you in Vegas?”
“They can.” I nod. “Several of my friends will already be there competing themselves. My folks usually fly out, but this year, they’re traveling around Europe, so they won’t be able to come.”
“All sounds so very exciting,” she mutters with a grin.
We finish eating, then Xander and I clear the table. Colette immediately starts on the dishes, instructing us to head out and do the evening chores instead of helping her in here.
“I’ll be right back,” Xander says, glancing at me. “I’m gonna run to the bathroom, and then we can go.”
