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The smile that curls iving hireat Let’s eat”

I head into the kitchen without a backward glance No one says a word, but I soon hear shuffling feet as the others follow me into the kitchen

Morant sauce—heavy on tomatoes, peppers, and onions—in the e, and I nab three bottles of different salad dressing before closing the door Dad and Brian sit at the table, and Cage looks uncertain where to sit I suspect he’s waiting to see where I sit, but e takes it

Pointedly, I move to the other side and sit at the far end, while Mom and Laney settle into their chairs

There’s total and aard silence for ain, everyone”

More silence as we load our plates, pass condilasses with homemade lemonade

“So, Cage,” nores the salad he put on his side plate and digs into his meal “Tell us a little about yourself”

Forks pause, all eyes going to Cage, includingthe table before resting his gaze on s “Sure What do you want to know?”

“Where did you get your er enamored with Captain America

Cage laughs “First, I’ent Second—”

“It was a secret tothose words of accusation were going to pop out of my mouth

His green eyes diy Instead, he asks, “You really want to do this here? Now?’

“No,” I et into it with hiain I’m worried I’ll fall for his pretty words and even prettier face

Cage turns back to Brian, continuing as if our little exchange didn’t happen “As I said, I’ent I do work for a private contract coerous missions that make use of my particular skillsets”

“Skillsets?” my dad asks, but I don’t look up fro fork to mouth as I listen

“I was in the Navy,” Cage says, and I have to resist the urge to pop my head up in curiosity “A Navy SEAL, to be exact”