Wait for Me / Trust in Me by Samantha Chase Page B

what would set her off at this point.
    â€œFabulous,” she grumbled and headed for the kitchen. “How’s your knee?”
    â€œA little bit better. This ice pack is pretty much melted away now, but I think I can manage to get up and make some dinner.”
    Emma froze and stared at him. “You’re kidding, right?”
    Lucas arched an eyebrow at her. “Excuse me?”
    She sighed dramatically. “Could you please just sit and relax? There is no reason for you to get up. I am perfectly capable of handling putting dinner together.”
    â€œYou’re a guest in my house…”
    â€œYeah, yeah, yeah,” she said as she rummaged through the cabinets in search of what to make. “I’m a guest in your house. That’s just great. That doesn’t mean that you have to jump up and wait on me. I can certainly put dinner together. I managed just fine with lunch, didn’t I?”
    Now it was his turn to sigh with frustration. “Yes, you did. Geez, Emma, all I’m saying is that I don’t expect you to do all the work.”
    â€œI don’t consider it work. I enjoy cooking. And although I think it’s a little late to take something out to thaw, I think I could whip up some omelets for dinner if that’s okay with you.”
    He nodded. “That’s fine. Thank you.”
    Emma went about gathering ingredients from the refrigerator and was impressed with what she found. When she hummed with approval, Lucas wanted to know what she was doing. “Well, it’s just that you seem to be a step above the average bachelor.”
    â€œWhat exactly does that mean?”
    â€œIt means that you have real food here. Your freezer isn’t stocked up with frozen entrees and your refrigerator is not just housing condiments. You have fresh fruit and vegetables and all kinds of goodies.”
    â€œGoodies?” He laughed.
    â€œYes, goodies.” Emma shut the fridge door and put her armload of ingredients down on the counter. “You don’t have what I would need to make any desserts from scratch, but you’ve got plenty here to make a gourmet meal.” She looked down at what she had to work with. “Just not tonight.” She smiled at him and was relieved when he smiled back.
    Twisting around she found the pans that she would need and the paring knives to cut the vegetables. Out of the corner of her eye saw Lucas stand. And wince. She slammed the frying pan down on the stovetop burner.
    â€œWhat?” he snapped.
    â€œI’ve got everything under control, Lucas! I don’t need you to get up and help. I am more than capable of doing this!”
    His head dropped forward and it was a tense several seconds before he spoke. “I wasn’t getting up to help you, Emma. I was thinking I’d grab a quick shower while you cooked. I should have done that earlier when I came back inside but I was too uncomfortable.” His tone was harsh. Would they be able to have one civil conversation this weekend or were they doomed to fight over everything?
    â€œSorry,” he said sincerely. “I’m going to grab a quick shower. I shouldn’t be too long but don’t hold dinner if it’s ready before I’m out, okay?”
    Emma nodded and watched as he walked away and shut the bedroom door. A smile crept across her face. Without an audience, she was free to play in the kitchen again.
    * * *
    Twenty minutes later, Lucas was practically salivating from the aroma coming through the bedroom door. She was simply making eggs, how could they smell so good? He opened the bedroom door and stepped out into the living room and saw Emma fluttering around the kitchen. “It smells great in here. What are we having?”
    Emma looked up and smiled at him; her whole face lit up and Lucas felt like he’d been kicked in the gut. What would it be like to come home and have her look at him like that every day? He shook his