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“I set fire to my own stove last month.” Alex was glib as she spoke on the stand, the corners of her lips turning up ever so slightly as she remembered that particular evening. She’d had the night off and was making an attempt at new recipe in preparation for a pre-planned date night that Olivia had insisted on earlier that week. Alex had finally received the call—Olivia was finally off-duty and on her way over.
Alex became a whirlwind in the kitchen, throwing all the ingredients in as necessary as she pored over the recipe she’d printed off that afternoon in her office. It had seemed easy enough when she’d first read it, but it was suddenly a ticking time bomb in a pan, and she muttered aloud to herself in frustration. “Oh sure, Liv, I’ll cook dinner for date night; brilliant…”
The customary three taps came through the door, and Alex darted over to unlock it. Olivia seemed to instantly brighten as the door opened. “Smells good.”
“You’re just hungry,” Alex said, giving Olivia a quick peck before she headed back for the kitchen. “But it’s almost ready, just have to finish up the sauce.” She produced a bottle of wine and two glasses from a cabinet. “You want a drink?”
Olivia raised an eyebrow and smirked. “I never thought you were the homemaking type, Alex.” She accepted the glass and offered it in a toast. “Salud.”
Alex smiled. “Santé,” she replied; their glasses clinked, and they both took a drink.
Olivia leaned on the counter and watched as Alex buzzed around the kitchen.
“How was your evening of paperwork?” Alex asked, looking over her shoulder.
“Riveting,” Olivia replied dryly. “Let’s just say I’m glad to be here.”
Alex turned and gave a sympathetic look, her eyes softening. “For a minute there I was thinking you were going to be pulling an all-nighter.”
“And miss this?” Olivia took another drink and sighed, giving Alex an obvious once-over. “Never.”
Alex shook her head and smiled, feeling Olivia’s eyes on her. “I need to finish dinner,” she protested, clearly only half-believing her convictions.
“One kiss; that’s all I’m asking for,” Olivia sighed, her gaze unmoving. “You look beautiful tonight.”
Alex reached over to Olivia’s hip and pulled her closer as they kissed once again, deeper this time. Eventually she looped her arms around Olivia’s waist, bringing them flush against one another. Alex smiled into the kiss, feeling Olivia relax into her embrace.
“Do you—” Olivia paused, then pulled back for a moment, a look of concern crossing her face. “Alex, is something burning?”
“Yeah, and I’m tired of waiting,” Alex joked, kissing down Olivia’s neck, “forget it; take me to bed.”
Olivia chuckled and rolled her eyes. “No, really, I smell smoke.”
Alex’s eyes went wide in realization. “The sauce!” She turned in horror to see the pan licked by flames, sending her into a panic. “I—Liv, turn it off—”
Olivia turned the switch for the burner with a sigh, watching the flames subside as Alex frantically slammed a lid down on the pan and put her head in her hands. “It’s a disaster. Magna cum laude from Harvard law but I can’t make a beef bourguignon?”
“I mean,” Olivia pursed her lips and considered her words carefully, “I don’t mind it well-done?”
Alex groaned and shook her head. “Call the Thai place.”