“I…wasn’t thinking. This is so much more involved than I considered.”
There was a knock at the door making her jump.
“I guess you still have a split second to reconsider. But all the pieces are in place, if you think you can stomach me as your husband.” I hated how pathetic that sounded.
She stared at me like she didn’t understand my tone. “Just one night.”
Realizing she was scared shitless more than anything, I shoved the ring on her finger and put the other on mine.
“You can do this.” I stood and held out my hand helping her up. “I’m going to check on dinner.” I squeezed her hand for reassurance, and then left her to answer the door.
“Holly, so good of you to invite me,” I heard the woman say.
“Of course, Mrs. Reynolds. Welcome to my home.”
I rolled my shoulders and stepped out of the kitchen to meet Holly’s potential donor. She looked exactly like I thought she might. A woman with money and attitude.
“Hello.” I smiled.
“Mrs. Reynolds this is my husband…Tucker.” Holly seemed to be at a loss of what to call me.
I extended my hand. “Hello Mrs. Reynolds, thank you so much for joining us. Dinner will be ready in just a few minutes. Can I get you some wine?”
“Hello.” Mrs. Reynolds frowned and for a moment I worried we were busted. “You’re cooking?”
“Yes. Meat and potatoes. My favorite.”
She turned to Holly. “You don’t cook?”
Holly bit her lower lip.
“She’s a disaster in the kitchen. I’d starve if I didn’t know how to cook,” I said jovially.
Mrs. Reynold’s expression morphed into distaste. “Women should know how to cook. That’s how things are done. Women take care of the house and home and her man.”
Good lord. I knew this woman had to be a bit over-the-top. Holly wasn’t a woman prone to exaggeration, so I knew her need for a husband was legit. But I always thought in today’s world, people kept these types of attitudes to themselves.
I wanted to make a comment about Holly “cooking” and taking care of me in the bedroom, but decided neither woman would like that.
So instead I said, “I love cooking. I was going to be a
chef once, and Holly is kind enough to let me indulge in that. It’s a great way for me to relax after work. Do you want a glass of wine?”
“That would be lovely.”
“I’ll get it,” Holly said, preceding me into the kitchen. She got the bottle of red I picked up the other day to go with the meal. I glanced out to see Mrs. Reynolds looking around the home and then casting a glance at us.
I stepped up behind Holly and whispered into her ear. “She’s watching, so I’m being husbandly.”
She leaned back slightly against me and oh how I wish the move was for real. “This is already a disaster.”
I kissed her cheek. “Wine will settle her down. I promise. If that doesn’t work, we’ll put her in a food coma.”
She gave me a slight laugh. She poured the wine and took it out to Mrs. Reynolds while I prepared the food for serving.
“Dinner,” I called as I set it on the dining table that had new linens.
“Well this looks lovely Tucker, although it just doesn’t seem right for you to be doing Holly’s job.”