Lauren stirred the big pot of homemade chili she’d made for herself and Carly to accompany the cold day, while the cornbread baked in the oven. It was after six and the sun was nearly down, a reminder that winter was not far off. Because it was Monday, they had the night off and were using it to unwind together.

“My mom didn’t cook,” Carly said. “She heated up at most. Chicken strips and those meals with the sectioned-off side dishes.”

“TV dinners. Well, who would have imagined that Ms. Porsche 911 grew up on frozen foods?”

“What about you, Ms. Mini Cooper?”

“Homemade all the way.” She tasted the chili. Perfectly spiced. “We would sit around the table and tell the high and low point of our day.”

“So you essentially grew up on The Brady Bunch.”

“Without the divorce part, but yes. Wholesome is a good word for it. Oatmeal cookies in a jar and all.”

“Well, that explains it.” Lauren offered a wooden spoonful of chili to Carly, who took a taste. She blinked. “That’s the most amazing chili anyone’s ever made.”

“I have chili skills,” Lauren said and shimmied her shoulders.

Carly grinned at her. “Please always dance while you cook. I would have to tell your family, if they asked, that your dancing was the high point of my day today. It’s also kind of sexy.”

Lauren bounced her eyebrows playfully, knowing full well she could capitalize on that shimmy later. “Wait. Explains what?” Lauren asked, returning to her stirring. “You never finished the thought earlier, and you’re not off the hook.”

Carly leaned her back against the counter. “Your upbringing explains why you’re so put together.”

“Does that get on your nerves?” Lauren scrunched one eye closed. “The organizing can be a bit much. I’m aware.” She pointed at the cookbooks on her counter, arranged in height order.

“No.” Carly shook her head. “There’s something about it, all the little meticulous details you manage and move around and need to have a certain way, that gets me…hot. Even your calendar on the fridge with all the tiny writing.” She braced against what appeared to be a shiver of pleasure.

Lauren chuckled. “Only you would feel that way.”

Carly slid her arms around Lauren’s waist from behind. “It’s why we’re drawn to each other like sexy moths to a romantic flame.”

“I’ve always thought of us as sexy moths.”

“Right?” Carly moved Lauren’s hair to the side and placed a kiss on the back of her neck that sent a tingle. “Do you know what it is? Your family is the catalog family. The one advertising the matching pajamas that even the dog is wearing.”

Lauren laughed. “We did have matching pajamas for Christmas morning.”

“Oh my God, of course you did. I haven’t met your brother, but he seems to fit, too.”