More Than Fine. (Complete)

14- MTF Ember

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     "I've got leftover chicken that we can cut up and toss with some pasta and veggies. Will that work?"

     "Sure. I'm not picky. I do find it interesting that you cook. Never pegged you as mister domestic."

     "I cook several nights a week, thank you very much."

     "And the other nights you're at Hurley's Saloon?" Gia smirked, thinking of the Irish pub and how they first bumped into each other.

     "Yeah, something like that." One side of his mouth curved up, and he seemed to be thinking of the same thing. "Okay, we've got onion, a red pepper, tomatoes. How about we sauté all of those to throw in, and have a salad with it?"

     "Works for me."

     While Gia was slicing the pepper, she heard Mr. Bellanti's phone chime, and watched as he leaned over from the stove to check it. His mouth pulled into a smile and he glanced over at Gia, before handing her his phone. As she reached for it, she felt a knot in her stomach wondering if it was Maddie from earlier, but was pleasantly surprised to see it was a text from Heath.

Heath: Ember is having '70's music night and I thought of you. You should join us. I'm sure there will be some Bee Gees for you. LOL.

     Gia fought to hold back a smile. "What's Ember?"

     "A dance club," Mr. Bellanti answered as he reached for the phone with a gleam in his eye.

     "Are you going? You might get a chance to belt out some Bee Gees. I seem to recall, it is your favorite music Mr. Bellanti."

     "Oh yeah?" He smirked and cut his eyes at her while sautéing the onions with the chopped tomatoes. "You done with those peppers?" Gia nodded and passed them over so he could add them to the skillet. Her hands brushed his, and she pulled back, feeling the familiar electricity his touch always seemed to bring.

     She was finished tossing the salad of berries over spinach with a balsamic vinaigrette, and waiting for him to finish with the pasta, so she fiddled with her phone. A smile came to her lips and she pulled up Spotify. Moments later a familiar tune filled the room.

Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive

Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive (ohh)

Life goin' nowhere, somebody help me

Somebody help me, yeah

Life goin' nowhere, somebody help me, yeah

I'm stayin' alive

     Mr. Bellanti set the pasta bowl down in front of Gia, smiled down at her and shook his head, before taking her hand and spinning her while belting out the words to the song.

     When it was over and he released her, Gia wrapped her arms around her ribs and laughed. "You really can hit those high notes, and you've got some moves too, Mr. Bellanti."

     Mr. Bellanti chuckled and carried the pasta to the table. "I think we're past 'Mr. Bellanti' now, don't you Gia? He raised an eyebrow. You can call me Nick."

     Gia felt her face heat. What was he implying? "And what about at work?"

     "You can call me Nick there too."

     She joined him at the table with the salad. "Okay, Nick." It felt strange after thinking of him as Mr. Bellanti for so long. "Oh, wow! You really can cook. This is delicious. Do you cook like this all the time? Just throwing stuff together?"