Making Dinner

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MITCHELL

I had hesitated and changed my mind over and over again. In the end, I decided that it was rude to cancel the dinner with Sammy. Regardless if she was pursuing a relationship with Jackson and just wanted to be friends with me, it would be selfish to cancel something we'd planned together. She was to bring dessert and I wasn't sure if she'd already baked. I didn't want her to have to do all that for nothing. Maybe we'd never be anything more than friends, but at least we could be that. We were that. And as Nash and Kennedy's best friends we would be seeing each other all the time, so we needed to remain friendly.

Maybe staying "just" friendly would be the smarter decision. It's just that I wasn't sure whether I cared too much about being smart when it came to Sammy. It hadn't been that instant love at first sight, or lust at first sight, like it'd been when I met Louise, or the friends to lovers Nash and Ken had, but there was definitely something there.

Sammy made me happy. She made me feel good and she was real. It didn't hurt that she was beautiful, tall and thin, and always smiling. I'd always found her attractive, but she'd been in a relationship with that cheating asshole Keith when we met, so I'd never given the idea of having anything but friendship with her an extra thought. Not until we were on that vacation in Florida. 

I swallowed down my hurt feelings, thinking back to Jackson and Sammy leaving for their date and hoping they weren't becoming anything serious. At least not before I got my chance. With a deep sigh, I pulled myself together and left for the grocery store.

It had snowed overnight and the cold air hit me as soon as I stepped outside. I tightened the scarf around my neck and was glad I'd decided to wear a hat. I usually did it to stay as anonymous as possible, but in the cold weather, it had a practical reason too. The wind gust slammed into me as I rounded the corner and stepped onto 6th Avenue. The skyscrapers kept the wind at bay sometimes, and you almost forgot until you made a turn and the wind took your breath away.

"Shit," I groaned and burrowed my nose further down into the scarf I was wearing, and quickened my steps. The store was just another block over and the sidewalks weren't that crowded, because of the weather, so I picked up the pace. Another gust pulled at my hat and I almost regretted not placing an order for the groceries I needed, but I did like to pick out my own produce. It seemed like the store took the opportunity to get rid of their half-wilted lettuce, or slightly mushy apples when you allowed them to select it for you.

I wanted the dinner to be as perfect as it could be, so if that meant braving some ice and snow, so be it. It wasn't like I wasn't used to this kind of weather. Michigan winters hadn't exactly been a dance in the park.

After selecting red leaf lettuce and some veggies for a salad, and large fresh-looking shrimp I grabbed a bottle of wine and made my way back home. It was easier that way, with the wind in my back. I took a few seconds to just enjoy the freshly falling snow, knowing that it wouldn't take many hours before it turned into a gray pile of slush on the side of the road, creating traffic problems and slip and fall incidents all over the place.

The maintenance personnel at my apartment building had already cleared the sidewalk in front of the entrance and rolled out mats in the lobby. Eddie, one of the older men that worked there, stood outside smoking while leaning up against the shovel.

"Don't work too hard, Eddie," I told him. "Leave some of that shoveling for the young kids."

"You got that right," he snorted. "I'll gladly hand this over to Jose as soon as he arrives."

"Just be careful."

"Always. Have a good night."

"You too."

The apartment was empty so Jackson had either come home and left while I was out, or he still wasn't back from work. I knew he had some kind of late afternoon meeting, which usually meant he went out for dinner and drinks afterward with the clients. I hoped that was the case tonight because it would be awkward as shit if he showed up while I tried to impress Sammy with a romantic dinner.

Luck was on my side. When seven o'clock came around and Sammy appeared at the door, the table was set for dinner with lit candles and wine glasses, even though mine would be filled with water, and the food was halfway done. Jackson was nowhere to be seen.

"Hello, gorgeous," I greeted her as she stepped inside, her fresh clean scent surrounding her. I inhaled deeply as I helped her off with the coat, which smelled faint of flowers, and that reminded me of summer and sand... of Florida.

"Good game last night."

It took me a few seconds to remember that she'd been at the game. She and Kennedy tried to use the season tickets Nash had given Kennedy as often as they could, but because of Sammy's early work schedule she never stayed around after the games during the week, so I hadn't seen her since she walked out of my front door with Jackson a couple of days earlier.

"Thanks."

I hung her coat next to mine by the door while she removed her boots.

It had been a good game, but stressful, a real nail-biter. We'd won by the skin of our teeth. The game had been tied for two periods until Nash got off a pass to Luko, our rookie, in the last few seconds of the third period, and Luko had stayed cool and tipped the puck into the net above the goalie.

"How are you feeling?" she asked over her shoulder as she carried her tray of baked goods into my kitchen. I must've had some kind of surprised expression because she clarified, "I mean your shoulder, is it still bothering you?"

"Not really, I'm good."

I had taken a hard hit a couple of games ago and it still wasn't great, but it wasn't anything I wasn't used to. Being a professional athlete meant you had dings, scrapes, and pains most of the time during the season, but physical therapy and massages helped take care of it.

Sammy pulled the chair out across from where I had the ingredients set up next to the stove on the kitchen island, but then thought better of it.

"Can I do anything to help?" she asked.

"Pour yourself a glass of wine and sit."

"Are you sure?"

I just nodded and turned the stove on. I'd already filled the pot with water.

"That sounds great," she said with what sounded like a nervous giggle, "but is there anything I can actually do to help?"

"No, this won't take too long. Just sit and talk to me."

"Alright."

I watched her as she moved over to the table where I'd set up a bottle of Pinot Grigio. I knew she preferred that wine. I'd seen her and Kennedy drink it on numerous occasions.

"Nice wine," she grinned. "This is one of my favorites."

"Of course, I wouldn't get just anything for you," I teased, but I actually meant every word.

She glanced over her shoulder at me. "Do you want some?"

"No, I can't."

"That's right. You have a game tomorrow. Oh well, more for me."

I chuckled as she sauntered back to the island with a rather full glass of wine in her hand. 

The water started to boil in the pot so I added the fettuccine to it while Sammy climbed back onto the barstool. She took a long sip of the wine and made herself comfortable.

"So," Sammy started and placed her steepled hands in front of her, "Jackson and I have decided to have Kennedy's baby shower at her and Nash's apartment and invite everyone, not just women."

"Oh." I must have looked surprised again because her smile widened. "Do men usually go to that?" I was no expert on anything pregnancy or baby-related but I'd never heard of men attending baby showers. "And what do you mean by everyone? How many people are are you planning on cramming in there?"

She laughed.

"Just close friends and family. Traditionally it's just women who attend, but with Nash being Nash, and Kennedy being close to most of his friends we felt it was better to do it this way. Nothing too big and over the top. You know she'd hate that, and we'll have it at their apartment since she's supposed to stay off her feet, at least somewhat."

"Good thinking. Are you telling her about it?"

"God no," she said with widened eyes. "There is no way Kenny would take it easy if she knew she had twenty-something people coming over."

I laughed because that was absolutely true. Kennedy would run around and clean and cook which would drive Nash bonkers. He in turn would become all grumpy and take it out on me.

"Sounds like a good plan to me. When are you telling Nash about it?"

"A few days beforehand. We aren't stupid Mitch, I know he can't keep quiet around Kennedy for long."

I chuckled again. She was right about that too.

"Maybe you should wait until the day before."

"Maybe," she agreed.

I stirred the pasta slowly. It was boiling but still needed to cook a few more minutes.

"So what do I buy them, can you give me some ideas?" I asked since I had no idea what I was supposed to get my best friend and his wife for the firstborn child. Damn, it was so weird to think of Nash as a father. I didn't really have good experiences with mine, but I knew Nash did with his. Howard had been, and still was, a wonderful man, supporter, and dad. He would be a great role model for Nash.

"Sure, Mitch. They have a registry online, or Kennedy does. I'll give you that."

We got quiet for a while. I continued to peel the shrimp and she sat across from me at the island taking small sips from her glass of wine. It was a good call to get the wine.

"Jackson and I decided on teddybears theme since Kennedy seems to want that for the room. I already found the decor online. We picked a date too, oh and I ordered the invites. They are so freaking cute. It's so exciting I can't stand it. All this baby stuff... I can't wait to do the shower and all the fun stuff, and I really can't wait to meet this kid."

I smiled at her enthusiasm, wondering when she and Jackson had planned all this, and then it occurred to me... maybe this was why they went out on Wednesday night? Like Sammy knew what I had been thinking she said. "We finished most of the planning on Wednesday night. Jackson is just gonna talk to his mom and Nash's mom to make sure we have everything covered. You know to make sure there isn't some Aunt or Uncle somewhere that we have to invite."

And just like that, I was feeling a hell of a lot better about my situation. I was smiling wide as I turned the music up, and poured some more wine for Sammy.

The dinner turned out great. Sammy seemed genuinely impressed and praised me several times. She also insisted on helping me clean up, so she loaded the dishwasher while I washed out the pots. It felt easy and natural to share a space while working with her.

"What are those?" I asked when Sammy removed the lid from the tray she'd placed onto my kitchen island revealing her baked goods. There was six small round cake-looking things, about the size of a muffin, inside.

"Miniature carrot cakes." Her hazel eyes looked up and met mine and she seemed a little worried that it had been the wrong thing to bring. "I tried to make them as healthy as possible. With the season and all..." she struggled to finish "I know you can't eat just anything."

"Wow." That was so thoughtful. Nobody had ever considered that before, other than Kennedy but that was because she cooked for Nash. I grinned down at Sammy and said, "I'm sure coach will appreciate that you are keeping me in shape."

"Oh please," she rolled her eyes. "Some cakes aren't gonna make a difference. I can see your six-pack through your t-shirt. I am pretty sure you will be fine even if you have all the carrot cakes."

"Oh yeah?" I winked at her and thoroughly enjoyed the slight pink tint that spread across her cheeks. Maybe even more than I wanted to.

"I guess it can't hurt if the head coach appreciates what I feed his players."

"Maybe I'm not willing to share what you are making for me with any of them. These," I said and pointed to the small cakes, "are mine."

She looked amused. "You are gonna eat all of them?"

"Possibly..."

Sammy grabbed the fork that I handed to her and cut a piece of the cake. I watched as she lifted the fork and moved it towards her mouth, her lips opening slightly and she proceeded to close them around the fork. Somehow that looked sexy to me and I continued, like I was mesmerized, to watch as she cut another piece. This time she fed it to me. The flavor exploded in my mouth. It was soft and moist and even better than I'd expected it to be.

"Damn, woman, that's fantastic."

"Yeah?"

"Oh yes. Definitely not sharing this."

I picked up my own fork and cut a big piece for myself.

She laughed out loud, her head tilted back and her eyes sparkling. "You're good for my self-confidence, Mitch."

"Good. I want to be good for you." I said it in a teasing tone, but I actually meant every word of it. If given the chance I'd do whatever I could to make life good for her.

Her eyes turned serious at that and she licked her lips. "Are you flirting with me, Mitch?" She asked, her tone suddenly breathy.

My heart rate picked up but I tried to act cool while staying honest. "Absolutely," I told her and took another bite of the cake. "Is it working?"

She nodded slowly.

I took that as my chance. I put the fork down on the island and closed the distance between us. My arm slid around her narrow waist. She didn't back away but she didn't really lean into me either. I used my arm to tug her closer to me. Since I'd already made the first move, there was no backing down. When she looked up and her large, warm eyes met mine, I bent down and pressed my lips onto hers.

It took a couple of seconds before I felt her completely relax in my arms. Her soft warm lips responded to mine, and suddenly our soft, innocent, kiss had been replaced by a frantic, hard, and desperate one. Sammy wrapped her arms around my neck, her slender body molding against mine. I held her tight, feeling her racing heart up against my chest. My hands had started to wander up her back and down over her perfectly slender hips. Her warm breath was on my face, her slick tongue in my mouth, and her hands were tugging my hair... I tried to control myself but damn, I wanted more. I knew she could feel it too, there was no way to hide my erection that was poking at her.

Sammy whimpered as I moved my lips from her mouth down her throat to breathe. I placed small kisses along her long slender neck, inhaling her own unique and tantalizing scent. Sammy tugged at me, forcing my mouth back to hers. And who was I to resist?

When we finally broke apart to breathe I had her pinned up against the island, my crotch in between her thighs, shamelessly rubbing myself all over her like a horny teenager.

"Damn, Mitch," Sammy moaned.

"Damn is right," came a surprised voice from the entranceway to the kitchen. I looked up and found Jackson on the threshold with his arms folded across his chest, glaring at us.

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