#fenixtj

Does she try it?

She does.

It is! It tastes like home

Well, her old home

or maybe just earlier wilderhood

A nostalgic smile. "Thank you, Duff."

"You're welcome," he says "Now, me I would suggest some vodka or rum mixed in... but I imagine you're fine with out" He opens a beer

"I am." She leans against the counter, savors her drink. "What to sit down?"

"Okay" he does

He admires her, "You know...I wish I thought of this earlier. The DeBukes have good food, but no reason you can't get some drinks you really like"

"It's not really that important; I do fine with what we have here."

"True, you do. But... mmm" A shrug I think maybe I can arrange something

"You don't have to go to any trouble, Duff."

"Oh no, wouldn't think of it" He steeples his fingers Perhaps I could use the DeBukes themselves as a go between

A sigh. "You so totally would think of it, and do it."

A very slight blush "Maybe" Then a glance "How's the chicken coming along?"

"It smells good, but I haven't opened the oven to check."

"Has it been an hour" He sniffs "That does smell good" He admits

"Mmm.... close. 5 or 10 minutes."

"Then we wait" He says

and he puts one some music.

She nods, approving.

Nice music, good smells...and he says "Don't let me distract you too much" Brushing her hair away from one of her ears and breathing into gently

A slight shiver.

She takes a steadying breath, and another time she might have bolted, finding something to do at the other end of the room.

She does not bolt.

And...he wraps arms around her waist from behind, smooth, enfolding.

And then he dances with her.

She deliberately relaxes against him.

And the world politely goes away for a time...just them.. the music, the smell of food

A timer goes off.

"Ah" Disappointment but recognition

and he loosens his hold

She sighs again, gently, and stands on her own. SHe gives him a gentle kiss.

briefly returned "If the chicken tastes half as delicious as you, I will definitely have seconds"

A pleased smile, and she goes to get the chicken out to cool slightly. Plates are in the drainer, clean. And there's rice.

And he's handling the rice part, still warm thanks to being kept... and soon they are assembling a fine meal to share "Okay.. even the carrots look good"

"You don't like carrots?" There's a little card table; more suited for appetizers for trolls, but.....

"Oh they're fine" He says "I'm just normally neutral about them"

She dishes up plates, and there's the drinks, and .... dinner.

And they sit down, and have a meal together, just the two of them.

Jessica doesn't keep up a stream of chatter; she never has. But, when she speaks, she means to.

And he listens to every word. With her, they matter.

Mostly, though, she is quiet, enjoying the food, and company.

He talks only a little himself. The shop is well. He has new designs he's trying. Yes, drug dealers are having bad days

She explains a bit about new Fae in town at her invitation, and her quest for liaisons between her and the other courts in the County.

"A challenge" He agrees.

A sigh. "I need folks I can trust and rely on.... but that takes time to build and develop." A shrug. "I should take a closer look around the County."

A nod "would you like me to do some background checks on anyone?"

She chews slowly.