Chapter 136

TESSA

I don’t bother putting two and two together. He’s friends with Cam, the blabbermouth, and Liam, whose girlfriend has recently turned into a blabbermouth herself. Apparently, even my crimes against cuisine are public knowledge now.

Emilia Janice Carter, you better sleep with one eye open. I will have my revenge.

“Great. I’ll whip something up,” I say, pushing off the couch with far more confidence than I actually own.

Aaron trails me into the kitchen, and I can feel him watching me—like he’s waiting to witness a disaster unfold in real time. When I grab a pan, he settles against the counter, arms folded, all broad shoulders and unfairly good jawline.

“You don’t cook,” he says, so calm it almost sounds like a fact carved into law.

Well, thanks for the vote of confidence, sir. Really warms the heart.

“I can cook,” I shoot back, chin lifted. “I just… don’t cook well.”

“That’s one way to put it,” he mutters, quiet, but not nearly quie