Old Flames Die Hard

Chapter Eleven

"Peter! The pretty girl that you talk about is here again!" Lily shouts once she sees me through the open door.

I cover my mouth to try to conceal my laugh. Peter quickly appears at the doorway.

"Thank you so much Lily, not let's not bother her." Peter says calmly and collectively.

With that, Lily sprints out of the doorway.

"Please come in." Peter says as he opens the door wider.

I smile as I walk past him. When he shuts the door behind me, he walks up to catch up with me. I love his house. I haven't forgotten how beautifully decorated it is. Something smells amazing in the kitchen.

"Your food awaits you in the kitchen." Peter says as he makes a cheesy and playful gesture towards the kitchen. I see a homemade loaf of bread sitting on the kitchen counter with a jar of homemade jam next to it.

"You made homemade bread?" I ask in absolute awe.

"Yeah, it's a family recipe too. Lots of people ask for it, so I hope you like it. Sorry I couldn't bring you pizza or something."

"You didn't even have to make me something. You insisted, so thank you."

"It's no problem, really. Don't thank me until you try it. It might not even be good."

"Pssh. Have faith in your baking."

He walks to the bread and grabs the knife to cut me a slice. He cuts like a professional would. He looks very experienced in baking. The bread even has the three pretty slits on the top of the loaf and a thin layer of butter running off the sides of the bread.

He lays my slice on a plate and asks if I want any jam.

"You don't have to do all this, I can do it."

"You're my guest, I insist."

I bite my lower lip, "Jam please."

He smiles and expertly spreads the jam evenly across the bread. "Do you want to get out your computer?"

"Sure." I go to our original study place and pull out my computer.

He puts the plate with my bread in front of me and says, "Your bread my lady."

"Oh, har har." I say as I pick it up while I wait for my computer to boot up.

I put the warm bread in my mouth. It tastes absolutely amazing.

"Peter! This is incredible! I didn't know you were a good baker." I exclaim as I take another bite.

He laughs to himself, "Thank you. I'm not incredible, but it is a hobby of mine. I love cooking and baking."

"That's amazing. From first glance, I wouldn't have guessed. How long have you cooked?"

"Umm, for three years almost."

"What was your inspiration?"

Peter bites his lower lip and rakes a hand through his hair, "When my mom passed away, the responsibility should have gone to my dad but he works rough hours as an ER doctor."

My heart drops.

I reply softly, "I had no idea. How did she die, if I may ask. Never mind, I shouldn't have asked."

"No, it's nice to talk about it. She passed away from stage 3 pancreatic cancer. I was about 15 years old. First year of High School."

"Peter, words cannot convey my sincere condolences for your loss. That must have been very rough for you."