Re: lakeside mansion: Hugh C./Audrey C.
She smiled at how kindly he talked about coffee, the way he smelled it before he tasted the affogado, her chin ducked ever so slightly. "Yep, he knows his stuff, even if sweet things set his hair on end. He knows his stuff." The hug--surprised her, and pleased her while simultaneously lighting her face on fire. It was ... nice. Warm. Something she didn't know she had missed. Amazing? Well, thank you Hugh. She swallowed quickly. "Well, maybe we can have meals a few times in the month, i-if you end up liking this? I am teaching Alex how to cook some stuff too, so him and his roommates don't only eat ramen and cereal, but yeah we could do movies and a meal... if you want."
She finally took a seat scooting in. "You lived in Seattle? I've always wanted to go, I think I might one day. Did you like it? Is it as rainy as they say?" Her feet tapped silently under the table as he retrieved the salt and lemon pepper. "Good choice," she called over to him staring as he went. His kitchen was something out of a dream, honestly. All the cabinet space, the sun, the beautiful wooden framing. She sighed shutting her eyes a moment to take in the winter sun until he returned and sat beside her.
"That couch is amazing," Audrey sighed. "I don't blame you. I don't think I'd make it through any movies." When he took the fork she held her breath. She made a quick glance--the hollandaise looked yellow enough, smooth, the avocado hadn't browned, the tomatoes lightly salty to bring out the acidity of the fruit. Why was she so nervous? Probably because this was the first meal she had prepared for a friend. Teaching someone a recipe was different. Letting them eat that food had been different--she wasn't there.