Free Best Served Cold by Tawdra Kandle Page A

School work, I mean.” The Flemings had met Liam while we were dating and were aware that we had broken up, but I hadn’t shared details. Although my social life or lack thereof wasn’t a subject we ever discussed, I still didn’t want my employers thinking I was out partying all the time.
    “You sure you’re not coming down with something?” Sarah didn’t look convinced.
    “No. I mean, yes, I’m sure.” I stooped down and picked up Desmond. “Nothing a little Des love won’t take care of.” I nuzzled his sweet baby neck.
    “Okay, then.” Sarah put on her coat. “I have a late consult, and then I’m meeting Danny for dinner. So Jesse is going to take over on Des duty at five.” She leaned over and gave her son a smacking kiss. “Love you, baby boy. Be good for Julia.”
    “Wove you, too, Mommy!” He waved as Sarah shut the door behind her.
    “Want to build with some blocks, buddy?” I set Desmond on his feet and followed him to the toy corner. He dumped the bin onto the tile floor with a crash, and I sat down cross-legged to help him create.
    Knowing I was going to see Jesse later gave me a warm buzz. I crossed paths with him now and then here at his dad’s, though I’d yet to see him on campus since our chat at the fraternity. He stopped into the house to see Des or raid the fridge, but he never hung out with us very long. He kept things friendly with me, but just a tad aloof, and I wondered what he might have heard about me at the frat party.
    Probably better , I thought with an inward sigh. Those dimples are deadly.
    When nap time came, it took four books to lull the three-year old to sleep, and I very nearly joined him, snuggled up to his sturdy warmth. My eyes were almost closed when I heard a door close downstairs.
    I eased away from Desmond and slipped down the steps. As I turned the corner, I saw Jesse in the kitchen, taking off his coat and hanging it over a chair.
    “Hey.” I spoke just loud enough for him to hear me, but still, he turned, startled.
    “Oh, hi, Julia.” He glanced around and then lowered his voice. “Is the munchkin sleeping?”
    “Yeah, I just got him down.” I shoved my hands into the pockets of my jeans and rocked back on my heels a little.
    “Cool. Sarah said you stay until five, right? I know he’s sleeping, and if you need to take off, go ahead, but I’d like to get some work done if you don’t mind hanging out.”
    “I planned to be here until then anyway, so that works.” I pointed to the pan on the stove. “I made Des mac and cheese for lunch. You want some before I put it away?”
    Jesse grinned. “Mac and cheese, my favorite. You going to have some, too?”
    I hadn’t been hungry earlier, but scooping the pale yellow noodles onto a plate for Jesse made my stomach rumble. I pulled out another plate and zapped both servings in the microwave before setting them on the table.
    We ate in silence for a few minutes. I had expected tension or at least awkwardness, but it was actually quite peaceful and comfortable.
    “Did you make this from scratch or from a box?” Jesse swallowed another huge mouthful.
    “Please. A box? Don’t insult me.”
    He raised his eyebrows. “I’m impressed. It’s delicious.” He forked another few noodles. “I don’t know many people who cook. My mom, she can’t even boil water. And my sister lives on junk food and take-out.”
    “Sarah cooks,” I pointed out. “I mean, I guess she does. She always has, like, casseroles or something in the freezer for me to put in the oven.”
    “She does okay, but she doesn’t like it. When she and my dad first got married, she tried to cook for Ali and me. She did pretty well on the basics, but her cookies and cakes—not so much.”
    “My mother writes cookbooks.” I played with the cheese residue on my plate. “So I’ve been surrounded by food my whole life. I have two sisters, and we all kick ass in the kitchen.”
    “And modest, too.” Jesse grinned, and there they