Strings of Fate by Kit Bryan
Chapter 271

Strings of Fate

Cam 28- Cooking and cuddling

I’m not sure how things turned out this way but I’m standing in my kitchen watching as Harry cooks me dinner. He is also messing with my coffee machine which has me very concerned.

“Careful, that machine is expensive and if you break it I can’t afford to-”

“I know, I know. I have the same one at home. Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.” Harry answers easily. He has the same coffee machine as me? Why? Like seriously, I know how much that machine costs. It is far too expensive for one person living alone. Either he likes coffee as much as I do or he’s worse with money than I thought. He turns back to cooking which has me just as anxious.

“Do you even know how to cook? I could-” Harry cuts me off by pushing a fresh cup of coffee (made exactly the way I like) into my hands. I don’t know how he remembers the way I like it, I think I might have mentioned it once while he was asking his neverending streams of questions.

“Stop fretting, sit down and relax. I’ve got this covered. You’re always serving me at your bar, let me take care of you for once.” He insists. I want to argue, he was just meant to be bringing in the groceries. But somehow I replace myself sitting on the couch, sipping my coffee and watching him work.

“I can’t believe you know how to cook.” I comment. Harry shrugs.

“Who else is going to cook for me? I’ve lived alone since I turned eighteen. I can’t make anything too complicated but I have the basics down.” He explains. I can’t imagine living alone at eighteen. I only left my parents house when they tried to marry me off and before that I would have been totally happy living there indefinitely. Most Witches tend to stay living in large family groups. I never really expected to be living on my own and I was definitely unprepared for it. The first few weeks I had so many issues as I had to figure out basic life skills like paying bills, making dinner, doing laundry that I had just never needed to do myself. I was a Witch in a Witch family. I contributed to the household with spells and magic. Chores and other household duties went to those who couldn’t contribute magically, like my father, or we would just hire someone else to take care of it for us. Even now, I feel like I’m constantly struggling to keep on top of the housework. I’m only one person, how can

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Cam 28- Cooking and cuddling

there be so much to do? Maybe it would be easier if I took more than one day a week off of work, but I like being busy and there is always more I can do at work, even if it’s just making or experimenting with my potions. I think I also just like being there because it’s so quiet at home by myself, which is alright sometimes. But I’m used to a busy household full of negging relatives. Too much silence gives me anxiety and makes me feel very aware of just how lonely

I am.

It’s not long at all before Harry is dropping himself down on the couch beside me, taking my empty coffee cup and replacing it with a plate with a pretty decent looking omelette on it. He has one for himself too. I didn’t exactly invite him for dinner, but I don’t think I can realistically complain since I did sit here quietly and let him cook for me. I guess the least I can do is let him join me for dinner. Quite literally the least I can do. Kicking him out at this point would probably be more work than just letting him eat, and it’s been a while since I had company for a meal. I don’t think I’ve had proper company for dinner since the dinner party at the Alpha’s place and that was weeks ago now. I’m so caught up in eating and trying to figure out if I’m okay with Harry being here on my couch that I don’t even notice Harry picking up the remote or turning on my TV. I tune in when I realise he’s scrolling through my streaming services trying to pick a movie.

“Woah, wait a second. What are you doing now?” I demand. Harry looks at me, one eyebrow raised. His expression saying without words are you stupid?”

“I’m replaceing us something to watch, obviously, Why? Did you want to talk while we’re eating?” He asks. I shake my head.

“No, I just…” I trail off. I think I lost this argument before it even started. Harry is already here, already on my couch and eating my food. What’s the harm in letting him put a movie on? I know that if I really decide to kick up a fuss he will leave. Although I have to admit that the feeling of his magic has me a little on edge. But that could just be the fact that a stupidly attractive guy just made me coffee, cooked me dinner and is currently sitting so close to me that I can feel the warmth of him beside me. Blaming his magic is easier though. How the hell does Ryann stand it? Has she learned a way to avoid his magic? Or maybe she just directs her lust elsewhere and her partner reaps the benefits? Because I can’t see how she can be friends with an Incubus and actually maintain functioning brain cells. I can’t imagine how bad it would be if I actually slept with him. I’ve already found myself daydreaming on more. than one occasion about how it felt to kiss him, and that was just a fake kiss to put on a show

for Simon!

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Cam 28- Cooking and cuddling

Harry selects a slapstick style comedy about a baby travelling around the city and causing chaos for three grown men who apparently don’t know the first thing about babies. We finish cating and Harry takes my plate from me, stacks it on his own and places it on my coffee

table.

“So, why are we watching a movie?” I ask again. Harry shrugs.

“We’re both dressed for it. Again, I’ll

available and more than willing.” Hat out that if you need someone to snuggle with I am

grins and I roll my eyes.

“Watch the movie. Another word from you and I’m kicking you off my couch.” I warn, but we both know that I don’t mean it. I start off sitting next to Harry stiffly, but at some point. during the movie I start to relax. Then he ends up doing the oh so cliche stretch and placing arm over the back of the couch thing and again I eventually relax into it so that I’m not quite in his arms, but pretty damn close. He keeps his promise to keep his hands to himself by keeping his arm on the couch, but the invitatio

is clear. All I would need to do is lean into him a little, to give into the mounting desire I have to just curl up in his lap. But I stay strong and when the movie ends I bounce up off the couch and shoo Harry towards the door. Having here is making me uncomfortable, mostly because it feels so comfortable and it shouldn’t.

“It’s getting late and it is time for you to go.” I insist..

“But the dishes…” Harry half–heartedly objects. I wave him off.

“I can wash the dishes. You go home.” I open the door and walk him out. He pauses on my doorstep.

“I’m going, I’m going. But before I do, one last thing. Cam, will you go out with me?” I automatically go to refuse, but the words stick on my tongue and I hesitate.

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