When fate plays its hand
hand 552

Chapter 0552

Miranda began, “Then, isn’t this running schedule…”

Was Paul overdoing it with the runs? Anyone who didn’t know better might think he was training for a

marathon.

He chuckled, though there a hint of guilt lingered in his laughter.

“Aren’t you supposed to be busy at the lab?” she asked again.

“Yeah, but I handed most of the work over to Silas.”

Meanwhile, Silas sneezed twice in the lab and muttered, “Wow, aren’t you just the best? Leaving all the

work to me.”

Paul turned to Miranda. “Have you had breakfast?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I did. How about you?”

“Same. Any plans for today?”

Miranda thought for a moment and said, “Not really. I just have a few papers to work on.”

“A friend from Valesbury sent over a box of wild mushrooms yesterday. You should take it,” Paul said.

Wild mushrooms? What a treat.

“Why are you giving them to me? Don’t you want them?” she asked.

He grinned. “I usually don’t cook at home, and mushrooms will spoil if kept too long. It’s better to give them to you.”

“Okay. I’ll help myself to it, then.”

They headed upstairs together, and Miranda spotted a large foam box by the door as she entered Paul’s apartment. She opened it and found an assortment of mushrooms–chicken of the woods, the prince mushroom, truffles, morels.

It was as if the entire selection of winter mushrooms from Valesbury had arrived. Each type was vacuum- sealed, and even after the long trip and an extra day of sitting, they still looked fresh.

Miranda was over the moon. “Dr. Jefferson, these are hard to replace in stores. Are you sure you don’t want any?”

Paul shook his head and urged her, “Nope. Just take them.”

“Great! Come over tonight for some mushroom risotto She hugged the box tightly and left before he could change his mind.

At 5:00 pm, Paul arrived right on time to help Miranda. As he entered the kitchen, he realized she had already washed and dried all the mushrooms.

“Why didn’t you wait for me to do that?” he asked.

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0552

“I had some free time this afternoon, so I took care of it,” she replied.

“You just stole my job.” He pretended to pout.

Miranda laughed. “Dr. Jefferson, why are you so eager to work for me when I’m not even paying you?”

“Don’t you know you can’t just take without giving back? If I don’t pitch in, I won’t feel right about enjoying this meal.”

“Well, I guess I’m being generous today, considering all these mushrooms came from you,” she said.

Paul said, “And?”

Miranda replied, “That means we’re even.”

Neither was willing to budge.

Soon, a pot of risotto took center stage on the table. The creamy base was dotted with sautéed mushrooms, fresh herbs, and a sprinkle of parmesan.

Miranda stirred in the prepared mushrooms before dashing to her bedroom to grab a timer. After setting it, she began the countdown. After all, the timing for risotto was serious business.

Paul waited impatiently. “Why does it feel like this is taking forever?”

She watched the risotto simmer and gulped. “It’s almost ready. Just two more minutes.”

When the timer beeped, they both reached for their utensils simultaneously.

Nothing was more comforting on a chilly spring evening than a steaming plate of mushroom risotto shared with a good friend.

After finishing the first pot, they quickly prepared a second. They dumped every last mushroom into the pot and ensured not a single one went to waste. Finally, they both savored the last half plate of warm risotto.

Paul leaned back. “I’m stuffed.”

Miranda stifled a burp and thought, “Who isn’t?”