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Milly instantly pauses at the open fridge, snapping her head back toward us with a look of absolute scandal. She strides back over to the island, wagging a finger at me.

"Alexis Hayes! Where are your manners? This man came all the way here with arms full of groceries to cook us a meal, and you're driving him out the door?" She turns to Cain with a softened, apologetic smile. "Don't mind her, Cain. She forgets herself. Apologize to him right now, Alexis."

My jaw drops in complete disbelief. I look from Milly to Cain, who is currently leaning back against the counter, spatula loosely held in one hand, watching me with a smug, victorious grin.

"Milly, I didn't⁠—"

"Apologize," Milly repeats firmly, pointing a stern finger at me.

I let out a harsh, defeated breath, my cheeks burning as I glare daggers into Cain's dark eyes. "I'm sorry, Cain," I force out through gritted teeth. "Thank you for coming to cook for us."

Cain tilts his head, his smirk widening into a wicked, teasing smile as he turns back to stir the sizzling pan. "Apology accepted, doll."

Grandma lets out a soft, delighted laugh, reaching out to give Cain’s broad arm a playful little nudge. "She really is a doll, isn't she?" she coos, shaking her head affectionately before heading back over to the fridge.

I narrow my eyes, glaring daggers into the side of his face. Cain doesn't even look back at me, but as he tosses a pinch of salt into the skillet, he playfully wiggles his dark eyebrows in my direction, utterly enjoying my misery.

As the afternoon wears on, a strange, quiet confusion settles in my chest. Sitting here, I catch myself wondering why I was even upset in the first place. Watching Cain now, he is a total angel with my grandmother.

We’re currently seated across from each other at the dining table, which is practically overflowing with the feast he prepared: grilled salmon, roasted seasonal vegetables, seasoned rice, and warm, buttery garlic bread.

As we eat, Milly peppers him with a million random questions—asking about his favorite childhood memories, his thoughts on the weather, and how he learned to season fish so perfectly. Cain answers every single one of them with surprising grace, his low voice steady and calm, never showing a single shred of impatience.

When Milly finally excuses herself to step out into the hallway to grab her reading glasses, the weight of the room shifts back to just the two of us.

I set my fork down, leaning forward across the table. "Why are you doing all this, Cain?" I ask softly, my voice laced with genuine confusion. "The groceries, cooking lunch, taking time out of your day to sit here with my grandmother..."

Cain cuts into his salmon, his dark eyes rising slowly to meet mine. The playful smirk is gone, replaced by an intense, unwavering sincerity that makes my breath hitch.

"Milly matters," he rumbles, "because she matters to you."

The breath completely leaves my lungs. My heart takes a hard, sudden leap against my ribs, and every last drop of my lingering irritation evaporates into thin air, leaving me completely disarmed.

Before I can even process the weight of his words, Cain seamlessly shifts the mood, a cocky, familiar glint returning to his dark gaze. "So," he tilts his head, trailing his fork over his plate, "is this the best food you've ever tasted, or what?"

I open my mouth to respond, but Milly walks back into the dining room right at that second, adjusting her glasses on the bridge of her nose.

"It better be," Milly chimed in with a sweet, innocent smile, settling back into her chair. "Because Lord knows Alexis can't cook to save her life."

I gasp out loud, clutching my chest in dramatic betrayal. "Milly! Wow... you gave me up so easily!"

Cain lets out a deep, chest-rumbling laugh that vibrates through the room, his eyes flashing with pure delight as he looks at me over the rim of his glass.

Today seems like a perfect day. The only problem is: I could get used to this.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CAIN

“Goodbye, Milly. I'll see you soon."

I lean down as she wraps her arms around me, pulling me into a warm embrace. The crisp evening air sweeps across the porch as we stand outside the front door, bidding her farewell.

Milly turns to Alexis, giving her a long, warm hug before looking up at me with those sharp, knowing eyes. "Take good care of her, Cain."

"Grandma!" Alexis gasps, her cheeks flushing red as she shoots her a quick look. “I’ve always taken care of myself. You know that!”

I just smile down at the older woman. "I will. You have my word."