Nate: An Instalove Romance (Embers Series Book 4) by Daniella Brodsky

Author:Daniella Brodsky [Brodsky, Daniella]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: DB Co.
Published: 2021-08-12T18:30:00+00:00

Eight

ELLE

Last night with Nate has played on my mind all day. I tried to work it out by attempting to make fresh pasta. If you don’t judge on shape and symmetry, I think I’ve done well. Of course, I haven’t tasted it yet, but how bad can flour and water come out, really?

I add a sprinkle of fresh parsley over the top of my linguine in tomato sauce, but skip the green stuff on the teenager’s plate, for obvious reasons.

“See, look at me being home for your dinner.”

“You're calling this dinner?”

“Hey, taste it first before you say that.”

Josie pokes her fork around, her nose scrunched. “Is it supposed to mush when I touch it?”

“What? Oh, never mind, I’ll try first.”

I try to swirl some strands around my fork. But she’s right. It breaks, or more accurately smooshes, when the fork touches it. I’m scared, but I won’t show that. I manage to spear a broken shard of noodle and raise it to my mouth. It dissolves into sandy unpleasantness on my tongue.

“Okay. That's just gross. You can’t eat that.” I let my shoulders sag. She deserves better than this. “So, was it better when, you know, Liz from next door was taking care of you in the evenings?”

“Honestly?”

I nod.

“Do you want this inedible pasta thrown at your face?”

“Maybe not so honest.”

“Okay. It's delicious.” She pinches a strand and lifts it to her mouth.

“Don’t!” I’m scared of what that could do to a growing teenager.

She laughs, and that gets me going, and soon enough we’re belly-achingly laughing. I get up and hug her.

“Seriously though, despite the pasta—which we will never speak of again—isn't it nice? The two of us being together instead of, you know, two ships in the night and you being asleep when I get home?”

“I guess that depends on your definition of nice.”

“Okay. That's it. Here you go.” Before I know it, I’m picking up a bunch of pasta, sauce dripping everywhere, and tossing at her face.

“What the?” She's shocked, but then laughs. And throws one at me. And then I throw another one at her. And before we know it, it's everywhere. We're laughing again and this time tears are rolling down my cheeks. It's just so much fun.

“Yep. Okay. Now it's more fun. You know what? You’re more fun in this job.”

I think of Nate last night. Of course, I am. I can’t think of anything else, no matter how many hours of failed pasta kneading and food fighting. Is he why I’m more fun? Is that halo glowing at the edges of my life because he makes me feel like there’s something incredible just for me in this world?

“Hello?” Josie’s waving a sauce-stained hand before my sauce-stained face to wake me from my thoughts.

I don’t know what she’s said, so I just say something I know will shut her up. “Should we order a pizza?”

“Definitely.”

“And it’s not even Tuesday! And I might even let you get a topping.”

It’s Two For Tuesday at the place across the road and that’s been a staple of our life these two years since I’ve been caring for Josie.

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