“I’ll be down in a minute,” she called.
Hurriedly, she combed her hair into some semblance of order, washed her face, and brushed her teeth. She had actually dressed in something besides sweats this morning so when she stepped back and gave herself a once-over in the mirror, she wasn’t totally bummed out. Yes, she was still pale and looked like she’d lost her best friend—which she had—but at least she didn’t have the appearance of a wraith, as she had the last few days.
She walked out of the bedroom to find Liam heading down the hallway toward her room. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. Just needed to tidy up a bit.”
“You had anything to eat?”
Of course she hadn’t. Her appetite had been off since the wreck. She couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep. This morning she’d gotten dressed and gone straight to her laptop where she’d done absolutely nothing but stare at the thing all day.
“No.”
“I brought dinner.” He held his hand out. “Let’s go.”
She got the distinct impression that saying no wouldn’t be a good idea. He had a glint in his eyes that she’d learned meant business.
The instant she reached the kitchen door, her nose began to twitch. “Something smells incredible.”
“I went to my favorite deli in Missoula. Homemade chicken noodle soup and ham and cheese on croissants.”
Suddenly ravenous, Aubrey grabbed bowls and plates from the cabinet while Liam pulled a couple of sodas from the fridge.
Within minutes, they were sitting at the table, consuming what had to be the best meal she’d ever eaten in her life.
“Good?”
She mumbled something incoherent and kept eating. Several moments passed before she finally looked up to see Liam grinning like a loon.
“What?”
“I was about to ask if you wanted the rest of mine.”
She laughed, and oh, did it feel good. This man, this wonderful, beautiful, giving man could make her laugh when she’d thought she never would again.
“I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything this good.”
“Aw, that’s because you haven’t seen what I brought for dessert.”
His stretched his arm out and snagged the bag from the counter. Placing it in front of her, he said softly, “Enjoy.”
Expecting some sort of spectacular sight, she peered inside the bag at the ugliest cookie she had ever seen. Of all the things she’d thought it could be, a homely cookie hadn’t been it.
“What is it?”
“Taste it.”
Curious at the mischievous glint in his eyes, she pulled the cookie out and took a small nibble. Myriad tastes, textures, and flavors exploded in her mouth. Humming her approval, she took a bigger bite and then another.
“Oh my gosh,” she said with her mouth still full, “what in the world is this?”
“The bakery calls it their miracle cookie.”
Miracle was the perfect name for it. She tasted chocolate, coconut, possibly cherry or raspberry, cinnamon, and a couple of other spices she couldn’t identify. Combined, they created the most delectable taste she’d ever experienced.
She looked at the empty bag. “Where’s your cookie?”
“I just brought one.”