Friction and Fries

CHAPTER 16: Cookies and Comfort

Luke came to pick up Kelsey for work. As they stepped into Kelsey's house, Kelsey turned to her mom, who was busy in the kitchen, and called out, her voice echoing slightly in the cozy space, "Mom! This is Luke, my boyfriend!"

Ms. Prescott looked up, her face breaking into a wide smile. "What a nice young man! It's a pleasure to meet you, Luke," she said warmly, wiping her hands on a dish towel before extending her hand for a handshake.

Luke took her hand with a friendly grin, feeling a wave of relief wash over him as he sensed Ms. Prescott's genuine kindness. "It's great to meet you too, Ms. Prescott. Thanks for having me over!"

"Of course! You two must be hungry after your adventures today. Have a seat; I baked some cookies earlier," she replied, ushering them toward the cozy lounge area.

As they settled onto the soft couch, Kelsey felt a sense of comfort wash over her. The room was filled with the inviting scent of freshly baked cookies, and the warm glow of afternoon sunlight filtered through the curtains, creating a perfect atmosphere for relaxation.

Luke glanced around, taking in the homey. He turned to Kelsey, a playful glint in his eye. "You know, we don't have to rush to work just yet. We can chill here until it's almost time," he whispered, wrapping his arms around her in a cozy embrace.

Kelsey leaned into him, feeling safe and content. "You're right," she replied softly, a smile spreading across her face. "I could use a little time to just hang out with you."

Luke tightened his hold, relishing the moment. "We can enjoy some cookies, chat with your mom, and just relax. Work can wait a little longer, can't it?"

"Absolutely," Kelsey agreed, her heart fluttering at the thought of spending more time with him. She reached for a cookie from the plate that Ms. Prescott had set on the coffee table, breaking it in half to share. The gooey chocolate chips melted in her mouth, and she let out a satisfied sigh. "These are amazing, Mom!"

Ms. Prescott, who had joined them with her own cookie, chuckled at Kelsey's delight. "I'm glad you like them! It's a recipe I've perfected over the years. Luke, I hope you're ready for a lot of cookie sampling."

Luke grinned, feeling like he was truly part of the family. "I'm always ready for cookies. You can count me in!"

"Kelsey, I'm just going to get ready, and then I'll be heading out," Mrs. Prescott said.

After her mom went to her room, Luke turned to Kelsey. "You look nothing like your mom."

"Yeah, I guess I got my looks from my dad," Kelsey replied. "My mom was a real stunner; she was scouted for a modeling contract when she was younger. But before she could pursue it, she found out she was pregnant with me, and that's how she ended up in teaching instead."

Just as Luke was about to respond, Mrs. Prescott emerged from the room and said, "I'm leaving now; I'm just heading out to the stores. Please make sure to lock up when you leave," she called out while grabbing her keys and making her way to the door.

As soon as the door closed behind her mother, Luke turned to Kelsey with a playful grin. "Your mom just left us alone! Does she really trust me with you? Because I definitely don't trust myself around you," he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Kelsey laughed, a light blush creeping onto her cheeks. "What do you mean by that?"

Luke leaned in closer, a teasing glint in his eyes. "I mean, with you here, it's hard to think about anything other than how amazing you are," he replied, his voice dropping to a low whisper.

Kelsey felt her heart race at his words, and she couldn't help but smile. "We still have an hour before we need to head to work," she said, her pulse quickening at the thought of being with him in this moment.