In Your Orbit (1st Book) Completed.

Chapter 15: A Night In for Two (Matured Content)

The city lights twinkled outside as Jennie and Lisa stepped into Lisa's apartment, the familiar warmth of the space greeting them. Jennie smiled softly, the cozy atmosphere wrapping around her as she kicked off her shoes, still wearing Lisa's oversized sweater from earlier. It smelled faintly of Lisa's cologne, and Jennie couldn't help but feel a little giddy as she tugged it closer around her.

They had just come from the grocery store, their hands full with bags of fresh ingredients. Lisa had insisted on making steak for their dinner, and Jennie could hardly resist the excitement Lisa had shown while picking out the perfect cut of meat.

As Jennie made her way to the kitchen, she leaned against the counter, watching with a quiet smile as Lisa, still full of energy, pulled out the ingredients. The sound of clinking plates and utensils filled the room as Lisa set everything down. She grabbed an apron from the hook by the fridge, tossing it over her head and tying it around her waist with a grin.

"Alright," Lisa said, her voice light with determination. "Let's make this steak perfect."

Jennie watched with amusement as Lisa took her cooking seriously, but it was the look of focus on Lisa's face that made Jennie's heart flutter. There was something about seeing Lisa in her element—confident, relaxed, and determined—that made her feel even more drawn to her.

Lisa began by carefully unwrapping the steak, her fingers gentle yet precise. The marbled meat was a deep, rich red, promising tenderness and flavor. She sprinkled sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper over both sides, rubbing it in with care, her hands moving expertly over the surface of the meat.

"You always make it look so easy," Jennie commented from her spot, chin resting in her hands as she watched Lisa work.

Lisa chuckled, glancing up at her briefly with a wink. "That's because I'm a pro," she teased, her voice filled with playfulness.

Jennie smiled, feeling warm from both Lisa's confidence and the cozy atmosphere of the apartment. She watched as Lisa grabbed a cast iron skillet, placing it on the stovetop before turning on the heat. The sound of the burner igniting filled the room, and soon the skillet began to heat up.

"Okay, so the trick to a perfect steak," Lisa said, her tone slightly more serious as she shared her cooking wisdom, "is getting the pan really hot. We want a good sear."

As the skillet heated up, Lisa added a generous knob of butter, followed by a drizzle of olive oil. The butter sizzled immediately, turning golden as it melted across the surface of the pan. The rich scent of butter filled the kitchen, and Jennie inhaled deeply, already imagining how delicious dinner was going to be.

Next, Lisa carefully laid the steak into the hot skillet, and the sound of sizzling filled the air. The meat crackled and seared as it made contact with the pan, its edges quickly browning and caramelizing. Jennie's eyes widened slightly as she watched Lisa press down gently on the steak, ensuring an even sear on the bottom.

"This is the sound you want to hear," Lisa said, grinning as she listened to the sizzle. "It means we're doing it right."

Jennie giggled, her heart swelling with affection as she admired how invested Lisa was in making their dinner perfect.

Lisa flipped the steak after a few minutes, revealing a beautifully golden-brown crust on the other side. She added a few sprigs of fresh thyme and a couple of cloves of garlic, their aromas instantly melding with the rich scent of the meat. Using a spoon, Lisa began to baste the steak with the melted butter, the herbs and garlic infusing the meat with their fragrant oils.

"You're really spoiling me tonight," Jennie murmured, her eyes soft as she gazed at Lisa. The sight of her in the apron, cooking so thoughtfully, made Jennie feel a rush of love and warmth.