“Well, that stops now. Protein shakes are for before or after a workout, not a fucking meal. I will feed you.” There is no anger in his voice but just determination for me to understand that his job is to take care of me.

“If it smells like this and tastes as good as I think this will, then you have yourself a deal,” I answer, trying to keep up my positive remarks.

It brings the first true smile I have seen on Forrest since I arrived in his home last night.

Just nodding at me, he picks up both the plates and, looking to me, asks, “Where do you want to sit, here or at the table? I’m easy either way.”

I’m so thankful that this is going to be a relaxed dinner that I almost sigh in relief. “Whatever is easiest for you.” Looking over my shoulder, I notice the table set. “You have already set the table, so let’s move there.” Both of us move, and before I get to the table, he pulls a chair out for me to sit.

“Thanks.” Sitting down, my stomach rumbles again, to which Forrest smirks at me.

“Let’s eat first and then we can talk. It sounds like you are hungry, and to be honest, I am too. Today was hectic, and lunch was a quick snack that wasn’t enough,” Forrest says as he cuts his first mouthful of lasagna and holds it off his plate on his fork, but he waits for me to take a bite first.

“Mmmmm,” I murmur as I finish the first mouthful. “Oh my God, this is like an orgasm in the mouth.” As the words pass my lips, I know I should have kept that to myself.

“Noted.” He winks at me and takes his first mouthful.

Good one, Harper. Surely you can be classier than this. Keeping my head down and just eating without saying a word, I can feel Forrest watching me.

Lifting my head, he is not ashamed of being caught out, and I feel like the roles have reversed a bit.

Is he really flirting with me or is it just my imagination?

It’s been a weird day, so I doubt he is. I should just ignore it.

“That was amazing, Forrest, thank you,” I say, placing my knife and fork on my plate with the leftover food I can’t possibly fit in.

“Yeah, orgasmic, I heard.” He coughs into his fist as he throws my comment back at me.

“Don’t be an ass.” I push my plate away from me and lean back into the chair with the glass of red wine. From the first sip, I could tell it was exactly what I needed to calm my nerves.