After cleaning up the mess Rin and I made while preparing dinner, I found myself taking a seat at their dark oak dining table. The only chair available was the one right across from Rowan and Carly Madden, witch left an excitable Rin sitting to my right. 

I knew I couldn’t avoid Rowan forever, but I never imagined I would be roped into dinner with the man. Then again, how could anyone say no to Rin?

I couldn’t look into Rowan’s eyes—and Carly’s could be just as intimidating—so I sat at the table stiffly and stared off into space at the off white painted wall just behind them.

After Carly made sure everyone’s plate had a decent portion of food, she reclaimed her seat and cleared her throat, “Well, Alek, I must say, the food looks delicious.”

“I helped with the meatballs, Mommy!” Rin was quick to inform, leaning slightly over the table to point at the platter of meatballs in the center.

“Of course, Sweetie. You did wonderful, they just look delicious!” Carly smiled warmly at her son in response.

“I hope you all enjoy the food. I haven’t cooked for someone above the age of 15 in a while.” I spoke up sheepishly, rubbing a hand up and down on the back of my neck with an awkward smile. My eyes fell to the plate of food in front of me.

“Oh, Alek, this all just tastes wonderful. Thank you so much and I’m overjoyed you decided to join us. When was the last time you made something for someone over 15, hm? Anyone would be lucky to eat your cooking on the regular.” 

I finally drew my gaze up to meet Carly’s and grimaced, “Um, I used to cook for my sister before she went away to college. I tried cooking for my parents every now and then, but I think they preferred takeout over it.” Laughing nervously, I took a bite of food to avoid speaking further on the subject. In the corner of my eye, I could see Rowan’s face drop slightly at my words. Carly’s smile grew dimmer, as well.

I never enjoyed talking about my parents for that exact reason. The topic was always a downer, but Carly was not an easy woman to lie to. 

“I see. A real shame, truly. I’m afraid Rowan and I aren’t the best in the kitchen. This is the first home cooked meal we’ve had in how long now, hm? Oh, it doesn’t matter. We both appreciate your cooking very much, Aleksander. Even if. . .others didn’t seem to feel the same.” Carly waved a hand dismissively as she spoke, taking another bite from her plate. How could someone eat pasta so elegantly?

Heat rose to my cheeks at the praise. Her frustrated tone didn’t phase me, I could tell she wasn’t upset with anything I did in particular but more so with the way I spoke of my parents’ opinion of me. It felt nice to have someone back me up, even though she didn’t know the details of my family. 

“Thank you.” Smiling softly in her direction, I took another bite of pasta.

“I love Alek’s food! He makes the best macaroni!” Rin made sure to include his own opinion on the matter.

I reached a hand over and ruffled his hair, “Thanks, bud. That’s only because I have the best little sous chef in the world to help me out.”

The little bundle of joy giggled, and I couldn’t help but shoot a glance toward Rowan who had been unnervingly silent thus far. He had a small smile on his face as he watched the three of us interact. 

He caught me staring and his smile grew just a tad bigger, “This tastes wonderful, Aleksander.” 

A shiver shot down my spine at the way my full name sounded coming from his lips. I noticed a slight stubble coming in on his jaw, it had to have been a day or two since he last shaved and I loved the ruggedness it added to his usually elegant and put together appearance. 

“Thanks.” I whispered in response, forcing my eyes away from him and back to Rin as the kid made a surprised noise.

Giggling, I grabbed a napkin from the center of the table to wipe off the spaghetti little Rin managed to spill over the side of his chin. 

“Bud, the sauce is supposed to go in your mouth, not all over your face.” My smile was so wide, I had to bite my lip just to contain it. 

“Rin is the messiest eater! I’m certain he gets it from my father. The man practically lives in a bib. Do I need to get you a bib, Rinny?” Carly laughed out, using a napkin to cover her mouth.

“Can it have a lion on it? Like Simba?” Rin’s voice got higher with his excitement and it even made Rowan huff out a laugh. I wanted to pocket the sound so I could listen to it over and over again. 

“Sure, Little Man. Now finish up, you need to be getting to bed soon.” Rowan said, a fondness in his voice so soft it made my heart melt.

“Okay, Daddy! You’ll read me a story?” Rowan shook his head in the affirmative and Rin excitedly got back to eating his food. 

It was after Rin finished eating and Rowan had taken him to bed that Carly spoke up, “Well, Alek, how are you liking your new room? Is there anything you need?” 

“It’s wonderful, thank you!” Carly smiled in response as a question popped into my head. I swallowed down a sip of water before I asked, “Though I was wondering, would it be alright if I got a houseplant? I haven’t had one in so long.”

Carly’s eyes lit up as I spoke. 

“Oh absolutely!” Carly started, giving a determined look back at Rowan as he reentered the dining room, “You know, Rowan here just adores houseplants, but between how busy he is and how terrible I am at taking care of anything that doesn’t talk, he’s not ever been able to get one. Maybe you both could go out to a nursery and pick a few for the house on his next day off? I’m sure Rin would love that! Of course, only if you’d be okay with having a few extra things to take care of around the house, Alek?” Carly offered animatedly and I looked at Rowan for help as he stood behind Carly’s chair. Surely, he’ll decline. 

I doubted Rowan would want to spend anymore unnecessary time with the fated mate he planned to reject—

“I wouldn’t mind at all. We could pick out a few of the lower maintenance plants. Pothos, scindapsus, things of that nature. My next off day is this Saturday and the house really could use some greenery to breathe life into the place, wouldn’t you agree?”

Oh. . .

“Um, sure. Okay. If that’s really okay with you both.” Came my trembling response. It felt a bit like I was just roped into this plan without my say so by the conniving Carly Madden. Then again, the whole reason I was sitting at the dining table and eating pasta with the Maddens in the first place was because a certain Mrs. Madden struggled with taking no for an answer.

A part of me was overjoyed to spend time with Rowan and Rin on my own, but I couldn’t help feeling guilty about that. I had no intentions of trying to become a homewrecker, but that didn’t mean I wanted to give Rowan any extra chances to reject me, either. 

“Oh, absolutely! I simply can’t wait to see what you three pick out. It’ll feel much more open in here with some plants to fill the space.” Carly smiled widely and looked between the both of us, excitement shining in her eyes.

“It’s settled, then. Saturday at 10? I’ll drive us there.” I looked between the faces of Carly and Rowan Madden and found myself absolutely unable to say no, especially with how excited Rowan himself appeared to be.

Since starting my job with the Maddens, what little I had seen of Rowan was that the man was very reserved. He was hard to read, didn’t speak much, and you could never tell what he was feeling unless he was talking to Rin. Even now, it was hard to tell, but his hazel eyes appeared more green with the excitement swirling in them and his lips tugged into a tiny smile as he looked at me. 

I would do anything if it meant having Rowan look at me like that for the rest of my life. 

“Sounds like a plan, then.”

A/N~ Read chapter nine now on Patreon and Ream, linked below!<3

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/chapter-9-pink-128951850?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Ream: https://reamstories.com/elikay

QOTD: What's your favorite thing to eat for dinner? 

Answer: I also love spaghetti ;p