Chapter 78 Chapter 78
She took a deep breath, burying her face in the soft fabric of his hoodie, wrapping her arms around his body. She clung to him and refused to let go for a while. How she had missed this. Her heart fluttered, and suddenly she didn’t feel bad anymore. The pain in her heart disappeared and was replaced by the liberating feeling of relief.
“What were you doing in here?” he asked when he finally had time to look around in the kitchen, spotting the open oven and the baking pan, as well as the bowl with the strawberries.
“It was supposed to be a surprise for you, but I ruined it,” she whispered regretfully, clinging to his hoodie.
“A, surprise?” he echoed in disbelief, glancing down at her with wide eyes.
“Yes. Thorne and I bought ingredients for a cake earlier because I wanted to bake one for you,” she explained. “I wanted to… to set things right between us since I can’t stand it when you’re so distant all the time.”
He fell silent at her words, his eyes staring into space. His hand stroked the back of her head when she leaned her head against his chest. “I didn’t know you felt this way,” he said and sighed. “I’m sorry.”
She would have fallen off the counter if he hadn’t held her, the astonishment knocking her over. Did he just say sorry? He never did that; he was much too proud to admit a mistake and to apologize for it. Her jaw dropped. “That’s unexpected,” she breathed.
“We should do something about that injury, it’s still hurting,” he said and let go of her to get the first-aid kit, searching its contents until he had found what he needed. Pulling up the long sleeve of her shirt to her elbow, he took the burn ointment and gently turned her wrist so the angry burn was visible. She watched as he carefully spread it over the injury, his face looking so concentrated that she had to suppress an amused smile. He made it seem like this was a complicated task when it really wasn’t.
“Be more careful next time, sugar,” he mumbled, briefly glancing up at her, his piercing eyes causing her to blush.
“It was an accident.”
“That’s what you always say.”
“Because it’s always true.”
“How did you survive for so long without losing a limb? You’re lucky I’m around now,” he said smugly, raising his chin.
“Don’t get cocky,” she grumbled.
“You’re clumsy as hell, and you can’t change my mind,” he retorted while he wrapped a bandage around her wrist, again being careful not to hurt her. “And also, you humans are made of glass. It’s insane how easily you get hurt. You can’t even survive getting hit by a few bullets without dying.”
She looked at him like he had lost his mind. “Of course not.”
“See, that’s the problem.”
“Why is that a problem?” she asked and pouted. “You’re so mean.”
“I was just stating the obvious,” he said, but cringed when he noticed the sulky expression on her face. He let out a sigh and inched closer, hugging her once more. “Oh sugar, I wasn’t serious. You’re fine the way you are.”
Her heart swelled, and she was suddenly overcome by joy, warmth pooling in her stomach. She smiled at him and embraced him tighter, his familiar scent of ash and cinnamon enveloping her. “That’s what someone says who wants to get a slice of cake,” she teased.
“Maybe,” he chuckled.
“I still need to finish it, and I hope my injury doesn’t get in the way,” she mumbled more to herself than to him, but his keen hearing picked up her words, and he frowned.
“Knowing you, you’ll only hurt yourself again,” he said. “Let me finish the cake. It can’t be that hard.”
“But it was a surprise for you, and if you finish it, then it’s… it’s not the same,” she said sadly, her body slumping against his while she hugged him.
“It’s fine. Your surprise was a success even if it didn’t turn out the way you planned. You had me fooled until you burned yourself.”
“That’s reassuring,” she remarked sarcastically.
He let go of her and took a step back to shoot her a strict glare. “Don’t move an inch. And don’t move your wrist either.”
She snorted, amused by his concern about a small burn. It hurt, but it certainly wouldn’t kill her. “Okay, I get it. What are you planning to do, Maxwell?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve never made a cake before, you tell me.”
“That means I’m the boss from now on,” she smirked.
Instantly, his eyes darkened, and he crossed his arms. “No. I’m not listening to anyone.”
“You could be a gentleman for once and make an exception for me?”
“Forget it.”
“Please?” she said and glanced at him with big brown doe eyes, pouting cutely. “Does this change your mind? I know you can’t refuse this pout.”
“You’re unbelievable,” he complained and rolled his eyes.
“That’s my line.”
“Valerie, I swear. Just shut up now!”
“But if I shut up, I can’t tell you what to do. You’ll ruin the cake.”
He rolled his eyes and huffed. “I’m going to figure it out myself.” He took the pan out of the oven, touching it with his bare hands without batting an eye. The heat didn’t bother him; she didn’t feel a thing. He set it down on top of the stove and looked around for a moment, his eyes zeroing in on the ingredients strewn around the kitchen. Glancing around undecidedly, he eventually took the flour bag in his hand.
“Maxwell, what do you need the flour for?” she drawled, holding in a giggle.
“For the cake, obviously,” he retorted. “I’m putting it on top.”
She almost fell off the counter, so quickly did she reach her hand out to stop him. “No.” she screamed. “Don’t.”
“Why not?”
“You’d ruin everything.” she cried dramatically. “Give me the flour.”