That only made Luca’s face scrunch harder. “So, it’s part of broccoli?”
Cope shook his head. “It’s actually a different plant altogether.”
Luca threw up his hands. “Then why would they call it broccoli? Broccoli’s gross. This poor rabe stuff is probably getting passed over because of its name.”
Cope’s lips twitched as he reached for his wineglass. “I’m taking that to mean you liked dinner.”
When Luca sat down at the table and saw the green stuff mixed with his pasta, he’d nearly thrown a fit. It wouldn’t have been our first battle over vegetables, but Cope had intervened with a miracle.
He’d told Luca he needed help with the recipe and an expert taste tester. Luca’s note before trying a bite had been to get rid of the green stuff. But when he actually tasted it, his only note had been, “More cheese.” And whatwasn’tbetter with more cheese?
“It’s hard to admit you might actually like a veggie,” I said with a smile.
Luca rolled his eyes. “Don’t think this is gonna happen a lot.”
I held up both hands in mock surrender. “I’d never.”
“Since I ate it all, can I go play video games?” Luca asked hopefully.
I waved him off. “Thirty minutes, then it’s bath and bed.”
“Nice! I can scorch the Earth at least twice.”
I tipped my head back as Luca took off, letting a groan slip free. “Am I going to turn my kid into a bloodthirsty criminal mastermind by letting him incinerate the planet every night?”
Cope chuckled. “I think you’re safe since it’s dragons and evil sorcerers.”
I twisted my neck, sending a series of pops through it. “I hope you’re right.”
Cope leaned over, reaching out so his fingers could dig into my flesh. “Neck bugging you again?”
My gaze found his and held. “How do you always know?”
He shrugged and kept kneading with delicious pressure. “My neck can bug me from a shoulder injury. I know the signs. You twist your head a certain way when it hurts.”
My tongue darted out to wet my suddenly dry lips. I didn’t want to think about how he knew that. How closely he watched me and seemed to understand without me saying a word. And more than anything, I didn’t want to get used to the gift of his knowing. But I couldn’t find it in me to pull away.
Cope’s eyes darkened, the blue turning stormy. His gaze dropped to my lips, and my heart sped up. He was close. So close I swore I could feel his breath teasing my mouth, a tempting promise of what was to come.
“Warrior.” It was more rasp than word.
I opened my mouth, unsure if it was to push him away or kiss him, but I didn’t get a chance to find out. The doorbell rang, jerking us out of the moment.
Cope cursed softly. “I’m changing the gate code.”
I bit my bottom lip, a chuckle slipping free.
Those dark blues flashed. “Not fucking funny,” he grumbled. “My siblings need to learn the definition of boundaries.”
“Hey, whoever it is, used the bell. They probably have the code to get in through the front door if they wanted.”
Cope muttered something unintelligible as he pushed his chair back and stood. I followed, gathering a few plates as I went. I started cleaning up the kitchen as Cope’s voice wafted through the air.
“You have impeccably shitty timing, Sheriff.”
I bit my bottom lip again, this time to keep from laughing as the sound of footsteps moved toward the kitchen. “Hey, Trace.”
As I turned, I caught sight of his face. Trace was the most serious of the Colson siblings, though even with that, he normally would’ve laughed or given Cope a hard time about his comment. But his expression was completely blank. Something about it set me on edge. I slowly put the bowl in the sink. “What happened?”
