What stood before me should have been outlawed. It was sinful. It was wrong on so, so, many levels.
“Harrison,” I said as I forced myself not to look like how I felt. All hot and bothered by the site of one of the most handsome men I’d ever laid eyes on, dressed in jeans, a long-sleeve black T-shirt, and an apron on that read: Caution – Hot Dad.
“Hey, Emma. Come on in.”
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I walked into the small foyer. Then it hit me. The smell of something so delicious I let out a moan.
“Ohhh, what is that heavenly smell?” I asked as I took off my coat.
Harrison smiled as he hung it up. “That would be my grandmother’s famous lasagna.”
“Did your mother make it?”
He looked offended. “No. I made it.”
“And you cook too? Wow. How I misjudged you, sir.”
Lifting a brow, he asked, “Did you think I just ordered out all the time?”
“Pretty much.”
He clutched at his chest. “Wounded again by how you have stereotyped me.”
I held up my hands. “I’ll admit I was wrong.”
“Again,” he said with a wink.
Ignoring the way that made my insides melt, I laughed. “Yes, again.”
“Come on, let me introduce you to my mom.”
My heart raced a bit faster as I followed him.
“Mom? Noel?”
The sounds of giggling came from down the hall.
I tried not to look around as we made our way into a large open area, but I was fascinated to see where it was that Harrison called home.
The kitchen was a galley-style kitchen with an island that separated it from the dining area and living room. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in a ton of natural light. One look to my right and I could see the harbor. Straight in front of me were views of the city.
A large fireplace balanced the living room with a cozy chair tucked in a corner flanked by the large windows. I could see myself snuggled there under a blanket with a good book.
I shook away the image.
The furniture wasn’t over the top, but more simple and cozy. It truly looked as if people lived here. The house was clean, but a few toys were spotted here and there. A large navy-blue sofa held a stunningly beautiful older woman with dark hair and eyes the color of the sky. Next to her was Noel. She really was her father’s daughter.
Jumping up, Noel smiled at me. “Ms. Emma! You wook so pwetty today!”
I felt my cheeks heat, and before I could stop myself, my hands covered my cheeks. Dropping my arms to my side, I bent down to look Emma straight in the face. “Why thank you for such a sweet compliment.”
Noel grinned and I noticed she had lost a front tooth. “Daddy says you’re pwetty too. All da time to Uncle Doug.”
I glanced up to Harrison who simply grinned. Averting my eyes away from him, I focused back on Emma. “Is that so?”
She nodded. “Me and Gwammy were playing. You want to play too?”
“We’re going to be eating lunch soon, Noel. Then Ms. Emma and I need to talk to Grammy about a dinner we’re planning.”
