Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 58952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
“Not particularly,” he said in a wry tone as he poured two glasses of the red wine before handing her one. “But my chef enjoys having the space to spread out while he’s cooking and prepping my meals for the week.”
Of course he had a personal chef, she thought as she took a sip of the smooth and flavorful pinot noir. She felt slightly overwhelmed by all his wealth and conveniences compared to how modestly she’d grown up—and even where and how she currently lived. Then again, after reading as many articles as she’d been able to find on Chase Gossard on the internet, she got the impression he was a self-made man and didn’t necessarily have all these luxuries growing up, either. She supposed if she had the money, she’d enjoy the finer things in life, too.
“How about you? Do you enjoy cooking?” he asked, leaning a hip against the counter before shocking her with a rare and sexy grin. “For the sake of getting to know you better, of course.”
“Yes, I love to cook,” she replied, warming to the subject. “I grew up in a small town, where my parents still live, and while there are a few family-owned restaurants, we couldn’t really afford to eat out very often. All our meals were home-cooked and made from scratch, which I can appreciate more as an adult,” she said with a light laugh. “Unfortunately, I don’t get to do that kind of cooking in my tiny apartment, but I do miss baking and making those home-cooked comfort meals that are my favorites.”
“Like what?” he asked, genuine interest in his eyes.
She thought of some of the dinners she’d enjoyed the most. “Like chicken and dumplings, shepherd’s pie, chicken fried steak, and fresh buttered green beans picked right from our very own garden, where we grew most of our fruits and vegetables.”
“Sounds very… Mayberry,” he said, surprising her by using the term coined by an old TV show that referenced an idyllic and picturesque fictional town.
Which wasn’t far from the truth, she mused, complete with busybodies who liked to be in everyone’s business. “What do you know about Mayberry, city boy?”
He shrugged. “My father used to watch reruns of The Andy Griffith Show.”
“So did my gramps, right along with Gunsmoke. I used to love watching those programs with him and wanted to be just like the saloon proprietor Miss Kitty when I grew up, and I was secretly in love with Marshal Dillon,” she said, grinning at the fond, but silly recollection. “Did you watch those shows with your dad?”
“I didn’t have much of a choice.”
Chase’s tone was surprisingly gruff, telling her that it wasn’t a pleasant memory for him. Based on the small bit of information Billie had revealed, Lauren knew his father was a touchy subject. And as much as she wanted to ask about their relationship, the way Chase abruptly turned away to open the double oven to retrieve their dinner told her he probably wasn’t in a sharing mood when it came to his dad.
Instead, she watched him grab some pot holders and remove one of the two casserole dishes from the oven to set on the small dining table adjacent to the kitchen, then he did the same for the smaller, second dish.
“I hope you’re hungry,” he said as she joined him at the table, bringing both of their glasses of wine with her. “Marcus made us chicken marsala and risotto.”
Chase had been kind enough to ask her if she had any dietary restrictions, of which she had none, and she loved Italian food. The savory, delectable scent of dinner almost made her groan, but she wasn’t able to hold back the loud growl of her stomach, a reminder that she’d skipped lunch that day.
He chuckled as they each took a seat. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“I’m starved and this looks and smells fantastic,” she said, spreading her napkin on her lap. “My compliments to the chef.”
“I’ll be sure to pass them on to Marcus. He’ll be pleased that he managed to impress you.” He reached for the chicken marsala and added a portion to her plate, then his own, followed by the risotto.
They started in on the meal, and after a few delicious bites, Chase spoke.
“So, tell me what I need to know about your family and what to expect when I meet them,” he said.
She appreciated him initiating the conversation. Talking about her family was an easy enough topic for her to warm up to, and after finishing her bite of chicken, she gave him a quick rundown. “Well, my parents, Dale and Penny, have been happily married for almost thirty-one years, and have lived their entire lives in Fairview, which is a small town about ten miles outside of Springfield, Massachusetts,” she said, pausing to take a sip of her wine before continuing. “I only have one sibling, my sister, Ashley, who is the one getting married.”