"I''ve always wanted to learn to cook, but I just don''t have the talent for it," Eleanor admitted with a wry smile.
Xavier''s gaze softened. "In a family, you only need one person who loves to
cook."
Eleanor felt a slight blush creep up her cheeks. "You should eat, too. You must be starving after preparing all this."
"You''re right," Xavier said with a smile, then turned to the girls with a gentle but firm look. "No picky eating, you two. You need a bnced diet."
"We know, Uncle," Vivian replied dutifully.
With the two children chattering away, the meal was rxed andfortable.
Eleanor had to admit, being with Xavier was easy. He was thoughtful, considerate, and knew how to respect her boundaries without making her feel pressured.
After dinner, she insisted on helping with the dishes.
Xavier tried to stop her, but she was adamant.
"You''re the guest. Let me handle it," he said, standing by helplessly.
"You already cooked a wonderful meal. The least I can do is clean up," Eleanor replied, efficiently scrubbing the tes.
Xavier gave up, a soft light in his eyes. For a moment, it felt like they were a real family.
"I''ll get them some fruit," he said, not wanting to stand by idly.
Just as Eleanor finished with thest te and turned to put them away, Xavier approached with a bowl of cherries, and they nearly collided.
Eleanor instinctively stepped back, the te almost slipping from her hands. Xavier''s reflexes were quick; he reached out and grabbed her arm to steady her. For a split second, they were standing incredibly close.
So close that Xavier could smell the faint, clean scent of her hair. He froze. One looking up, the other down, their eyes met.
"Sorry," Eleanor said, pulling back first.
"Are you okay?" Xavier asked, his voice a little deeper than usual.
"I''m fine," Eleanor shook her head, cing the tes in the drying rack.
Xavier smiled, acting as if nothing had happened. He set the cherries on the counter and turned to get a fruit bowl, but Eleanor was also turning, and they nearly bumped into each other again.
Xavier''s arm hovered protectively around her waist as she took a steady step back. Their eyes met again, and Eleanor smiled. "Let me wash the fruit."
Xavier ced the bowl on the counter. As Eleanor rinsed the cherries, he leaned against the counter beside her, his gaze fixed on her.
The atmosphere in the kitchen shifted, bing charged with a quiet intimacy as Eleanor focus on her task with the handsome, gentle man standing close by.
"Thank you... foring over tonight. It made me very happy," Xavier said suddenly, his voiceced with something more than friendship.
Eleanor finished washing the cherries and turned to meet his gaze directly. "I should be thanking you for picking up Evelyn and making dinner."
Her eyes were clear and sincere, full of gratitude, but also a clear, unspoken boundary.
Xavier understood. He suppressed the romantic thoughts that had started to bloom in his mind. He would not pressure her. He respected her and her choices.
He smiled, his tone returning to its usual warm and easygoing nature. "That''s what friends are for."
They brought the fruit out to the
living room, where the two girls were
watching cartoons. Eleanor
them, and of
e scene was ok with
quiet, domestic peace.
A littleter, Xavier joined them, and the four of them watched the cartoon together.
At 8:30, Eleanor decided it was gettingte and told her daughter it was time to
go.
As they were leaving, Evelyn remembered her father''s instructions and said politely, "Mr. Vaughn, thank you for having us for dinner tonight."
Xavier smiled, surprised, then looked at Eleanor. "Evelyn is such a polite, wonderful child."
Eleanor ruffled her daughter''s hair, feeling a surge of pride.
In the elevator, Eleanor praised her. "You were wonderful tonight, Evelyn."
"Daddy told me to say thank you to Mr. Vaughn," Evelyn said, looking up at her mother with a bright smile.
Eleanor''s own smile faltered.