"I can see why Cassidy valued your friendship." He said.

He walked over and leaned against the counter next to me, so I looked at him and smiled.  "Why's that?"

"I don't know, you're..easy."

I furrowed my eyebrows, and he chuckled. 

"That's not what I meant.  You're easy to be around, and you're very kind.  Well, when you're not craving chicken nuggets." He corrected himself.

"You are too when you take down that wall of yours." I continued cooking. 

"I called the security company that sent that man to us.  We paid him well to take care of Cassidy, and he betrayed us.  I asked them to track him down and also asked my investigators to track down Bertinelli.  I want to verify Lance's story." He said, and I paused then looked at him.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

He shook his head.  "No, but it's important to know you're safe.  That's one of the reasons I'm angry with my ex-wife.  She could have ended this year's ago before you were ever involved."

I turned off the stove and set the spatula down before turning toward him.  "I don't like being in danger, for obvious reasons, but I can't say I regret doing this with you."

He tilted his head.  "Why?" He asked.

"Well, believe it or not, I think you're not so bad when you relax a little." I gave him a tiny smirk. "Also, you've helped me understand why my best friend lied to me.  That takes some of the hurt away." I said but I really just like being around him more than anything.

I realized after a few moments I was lost in his eyes, so I shook myself out of it.  "Dinner is ready."

"Oh, alright." He stirred out of it too and helped me make our plates.  The entire time, I cursed myself for whatever this attraction is because I can never act on it.  I'm pregnant, and he will soon lose all respect for me when he finally hears the truth.

We sat down to eat and I was proud of the meal I made because he acts like he truly enjoys it.  "I can't believe you cooked this meal, its amazing." He said as I smiled with pride.

"I like to cook, and of course it had to be chicken." I gave him a smirk.

"Well, it's really good." He kept eating.

"Do you feel up to going through your sister's things or do you want to hold off a bit?" I asked.

He wiped his mouth with a napkin.  "I don't know if I can wait much longer.  It's been nagging at me since we left her house." He said.

"Alright, I'll clean dinner up, and we can get started," I said.

"No, I'll clean since you cooked." He said.

I laughed.  "You clean?"

"I think I can handle it." He smirked.

"We will both clean." I gave him a wink.

"You've been tired all day, maybe you should get some rest." He said.

"Oh no, I'm fine.  It'll go faster if we both help."

He helped me clear the table, and I did dishes, while he wiped everything down. 

"I didn't think a man's place is in the kitchen." I teased.

"If he wants to eat, it's his place." He smirked.

"Oh come on, you pay people to take care of you." I teased.

"I'll have you know, I spent plenty of time in the kitchen."

"I don't believe it." I smiled.

"I lived in a frat house, Cora.  If I didn't cook, I would have starved or overdosed on pizza and beer." He kept working.

"You partied?" I acted amazed.

He paused and looked over at me.  "How much of a stick in the mud do you think I am?"

My eyes grew big, and I separated my hands as far apart as possible.  "Huge!"

He's biting his bottom lip with a smirk on his face while he twists a towel.

"Don't you dare!" I warned him.

"Or what?" He said.

I slowly backed away and he gave a teasing quick step forward, and I jumped.

"You think I'm a stick in the mud?" He asked again. 

"You're like a total virgin." I teased as I backed away.

"A virgin?" He laughed as he slowly took steps forward. 

"Totally a virgin." I laughed but kept my eyes peeled on that towel.

"I'll show you." He chased after me and was snapping the towel behind me as I tried to run away, but ran down the hall and he cornered me.  He still had that smile, but also I could see the amusement on his face.

"Don't do it," I said.

"What would happen if I did?" He asked.

What happened to the pissed off man that shut himself in his room?  Dammit!

"I'll take my revenge while you sleep," I warned him, and he snapped the towel in the air as he slowly walked toward me.

"What kind of revenge?" He asked.

"That's for me to know." I laughed.

"I deserve to know the consequences." He's fighting a laugh as he steps closer. 

"I have a permanent marker in my purse." I just thought of something quickly.

"You won't do that, you have to be seen with me." He rushed forward and started tickling me as I tried to squirm away, but I'm laughing too hard. 

"You asshole!" I yelled as I laughed.

"Asshole?" He laughed and tickled me harder. 

"Stop or I'll pee!" I am serious, too.

He backed me up against the wall and held my wrists above my head with one hand. 

"I've got you now." He's tickling my side.

"I might have peed a little!" I lied, and he stopped.

"Oh shit!" He said, and I laughed.

"You liar." He looked down at me, and I looked up at him. 

"Am I still a stick in the mud, Cora?" His face is close to mine, and I just gave him a small nod.  He looked between my eyes and my lips and, for one moment, I forgot all my troubles. 

He leaned his face in but kissed my cheek.  "Thank you for making me forget." He whispered, just before he backed away and let my wrists go.

He turned to walk away, and I saw the towel on the floor.  A devious smirk crept up on my face as I picked it up and snapped it behind him.  He took off toward the kitchen, and I chased him.  I got one good snap in, and he yelped.  I laughed so hard, I'm lucky I didn't pee for real this time.