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“Is that what you want or what your parents want?”

Caet the impression that this topic is better left untouched The htly and I don’t like it I want the relaxed, fun Cameron back I stand up and join Caredients

“Taste this,” he says, lifting a wooden spoon to my mouth His eyes follow my mouth as it wraps around the tip of the spoon

“Oh ,” I say “That’s delicious What is it?”

I lick my lips and Cameron’s eyes darken “Caramelized onion and honey sauce”

He goes back to es fro when the divine scent floats around us Nestled inside each foil packet is a grilled chicken breast, stuffed with feta cheese and spinach My stoh

“Take a seat,” he instructs, co around the island He places a chicken breast onsome of the caramelized onion and honey sauce over it, and then dishes up a mushroom and sweet pepper risotto Once he’s placed food on his own plate, he takes out a fresh garden salad froe

“This looks a, Caiggle He’s blushing?

“Thank you,” he mumbles “I’ve never cooked dinner for anyone but my mom”

My eyes widen in surprise “Really?”

“Really Why does that surprise you?”

Shrugging sheepishly, I reply, “I guess I thought that this was regular thing, that you did this on all of your ‘dates’”

Now it’s Cameron who looks sheepish “No, you’re the first”

“Oh” I take a sip ofaround inhas been what I expected and I’m not sure how I feel about all of it It suddenly feels like more than just another date

Cameron cuts into his chicken breast and I follow his cue When the tender meat hits my taste buds, the mixture of it all leaves an explosion of flavors on , Cam Where did you learn to cook like this?”

“I started when I was fifteen, and kind of taught et me out of the kitchen”

“You must’ve been really stubborn as a kid,” I joke “I bet you drove your parents crazy half the time”

“I have an older sister who set the precedent ere kids, I just followed in her lead”

“You have an older sister?”

“Yes,” he replies “Candice I was a bit of an accident so Candice and I are about eight years apart She has a two year old, Jordan, and she and her husband, Brett, are expecting their second baby soon I don’t knoho’s irl”

“And your dad? Is he excited?” I ask

Cameron’s face darkens and his excitement dwindles “No,” I say softly “He’s not really…around”