The Line: The Complete Series

by Nikki Rose

  “How’d you learn how to cook?”

  “Would you believe me if I said cooking shows on T.V.?” I took out a pepper and started chopping.

  “No. Really?”

  “I’m a single man living alone and I got tired of takeout. I started watching some of the cooking shows and really found it relaxed me. I like the methodical motions like chopping and stirring. And I like to experiment with different combinations of flavors.”

  “Wow. I never would have guessed.”

  “I’m full of surprises.”

  “So, it seems,” she smiled at me with such a genuine smile.

  “Can I ask you a question?” I stopped chopping and leaned back on the counter so I could face her.

  “You just did,” she smirked. I liked this lighthearted side to her.

  “Okay well, can I ask you a series of questions then?”

  “Sure,” she turned on the sink and began washing the spinach.

  “Why aren’t you seeing anyone?”

  “What?” She stopped washing the leafy greens and shook them off before laying them down on the cutting board.

  “I’m just curious. You seem like a pretty great girl. Why don’t you have a boyfriend?”

  “I’ve dated some off and on. Nothing that worked out. After my last boyfriend cheated on me last year, I’ve just been focusing more on my painting than being social.”

  “I see,” I turned back and started chopping the peppers, unsure of why I’d felt the need to ask her such a prying question but refusing to look too deep into it.

  She let out a tiny sigh and went back to helping chop the vegetables for our frittata.

  “He’s an idiot,” I mumbled as we worked and she stopped chopping to look at me.

  “Who is?”

  “Your ex. The one who cheated. He’s an idiot for cheating on you.”

  “How do you know? You never saw the other girl.”

  “First of all,” I put the knife down so that I could look her in the eyes, “no man, no matter the circumstances, should ever cheat on a woman. If you’re that unhappy in the relationship then do the person the courtesy of ending it. Then if you want to go hook-up with someone, you’re free to do so. Second of all, I don’t have to have seen the other woman. There’s no way in hell that she was a better choice than you.”

  The moment the words came out of my mouth I realized what I’d said and how that could be taken. I wished I could chase the words as they left my mouth so that I could pull them back in, but it was too late, they were out. And even if it might have been a little awkward, she needed to hear it.

  She stared at me, dumbfounded for a moment and I turned away too busy myself again. I poured the olive oil in the pan to let it heat up before adding the red peppers.

  “Thank you,” she said softly, all humor left from her voice.

  “For what?”

  “No one has ever said anything so nice before.”

  “I was just stating the truth,” I brushed it off, trying to not make it into a big thing.

  I opened a drawer, looking for a stirring spoon but inside was a bright yellow EpiPen. I pulled it out and held it up so she could see. “What’s this for?”

  “Severe allergic reactions.”

  “Yes, I realize the general purpose of an EpiPen. But if I’m going to be cooking for you, I need to know to what? I don’t want to kill you or anything.”

  “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that,” she chuckled. “I’m allergic to bees.”

  “Oh damn. That ruins the secret ingredient in my frittata,” I tried to keep a straight face but it was hard to fight the smile when she beamed at me.

  She sighed over dramatically. “Oh well, I guess breakfast is ruined.”

  “Yep. I might as well throw out this whole pan...” I acted as though I was about to dump the contents of the pan in the trash and she jumped to stop me.

  “No, wait. Don’t really.”

  We both laughed and went back to cooking.

  Hana

  Breakfast was wonderful. I was so glad that Mason was such a good cook. It had been a long time since I had enjoyed so many home cooked meals. And, although his being in my house wasn’t exactly the ideal situation, it was nice to have the company. As we got to know each other, the hostility and guardedness faded into laughing and sharing stories. I told him about my grandmother’s farm I planned to renovate one day and he told me about some of his favorite childhood memories. Before we knew it, we’d talked through breakfast and halfway to lunch.

  I’d spent several hours in my painting studio working on my latest piece trying not to feel guilty for leaving Mason to his own devices all the time. He’d insisted I go about my usual day, not wanting to continue to constantly disrupt my life. While I wanted to argue the point, I did have bills coming due and the last thing I wanted was for Mason to pay for more of my living expenses.

  I filled my glass with water from the sink and took a sip before turning around. Mason paced the kitchen floor anxiously, “I just got off the phone with Chris.”

  I turned to look at him expectantly, hoping they’d found something, anything that might help their case.

  “They still haven’t found anything. I hate feeling so useless.”

  “You're not useless. You just can't let yourself be seen out in public right now. If you get caught anyone who's with you will be in trouble too.”

  “I should be out there with my guys. With my team. I shouldn't be sitting here doing nothing. I'm gonna go crazy just stuck in the house.”

  “What do you like to do to unwind?”

  Mason raised his brow with an almost mischievous grin playing on his lips and I scoffed, “besides that.”

  “Usually I go to the gym, or go for a run.”

  “Well you can't do that right now. Is there anything you like to do that helps you relax that you could do without having to go somewhere?”

  “I like to cook,” he casually shrugged his broad shoulders.

  “Well, I’m not going to complain if you want to do that,” I chuckled. “It's so strange, when I first met you, I never would have guessed you were so domesticated.” “Domesticated? You make me sound like I'm some kind of housecat.”

  “Oh no. You definitely don't seem like a house cat.”

  He cocked his head and studied me curiously as though my observation intrigued him. “What do I seem like then? A tiger? Maybe a lion? Yeah, I think a lion sounds good. King of the jungle,” he smirked, stepping toward me slowly, and my heart began to race.

  I took a step back, bumping into the counter next to the sink. He placed one hand on either side of me effectively pinning me in without actually touching me. I squirmed nervously and glanced over his shoulder, anything not to meet his intense gaze.

  “What are you doing?” I swallowed hard and forced the words over the lump in my throat.

  “Just proving to you that I'm not domesticated,” one corner of his lips tugged upward and his tongue darted out to wet his lips.

  “I didn't mean that you were domesticated. I wasn't trying to—” the words tumbled out of my mouth. I wasn't sure what I was trying to say. He didn't seem angry or irritated. He seemed playful which was a new side to him that I hadn’t really seen much of before but liked.

  “You are so easy,” he spoke more relaxed and pulled back away from me.

  “Excuse me?” my voice cracked and my mouth felt dry.

  He let out a soft chuckle and crossed his arms, “I had you going.”

  “I—no you didn't.” I tossed a dishrag at him. “So, do you really like to cook or was that part of the game you were playing?”

  “I love to cook.”

  “You should cook for me then.”

  “I would, except your kitchen leaves a bit to be desired.”

  “Well you can’t go to the grocery store but I can. Make me a list of what you'll need and I'll run and pick it up.”

  “Hmm...” he tilted his head and stroked his stub
ble thoughtfully. “I guess I can trust that you won't turn me in. Besides, I think you're starting to like me.”

  I scoffed but it was true. I did like him. He was easy to like even under such strange circumstances. Mason jotted down a list of ingredients that he would need from the store. He was making some sort of chicken dish by the list of ingredients but I wasn't sure exactly how the ingredients would be put together.

  I drove to the grocery store and quickly made my way through the aisles to get everything he needed. He hadn't included anything for dessert so I took it upon myself to pick up a cheesecake from the bakery section on my way toward the checkout lane.

  “Oh my gosh. Hana?” I turned at the familiar voice and saw my old friend who I hadn't seen since high school, standing by a bin of apples.

  “Cassie! Hey, how are you?”

  “I'm good. Real good. Look at you. You haven't changed a bit since high school.”

  I wasn't sure if that was a compliment or an insult but I forced my smile wider anyway, “Thanks. You either. It's been—”

  “Five years.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Anyway, what have you been up to?”

  “I'm an artist. I create and sell paintings.”

  “Oh wow. So, you actually did it. You followed your dream and did what you said you were going to all those years ago. That's really great.”

  “I'm still working at getting my name out there but yeah. It's great. What have you been up to?”

  “Well I graduated from college. Jeff and I just got married six months ago. We came back into town to visit my parents.”

  “Jeff? You mean the same Jeff you dated our senior year?”

  “The very same.”

  “Congratulations. I'm so glad things worked out for you too.”

  “Me too. Are you seeing anyone?”

  “Not exactly. I mean I'm sort of seeing someone but it's still very new.” I wasn't sure why I lied. I wasn't sure why I thought of Mason when I lied. I just couldn't bear to tell her that I was single. I’d been single for over a year after my loser of a cheating ex finally was dumb enough to get caught.”

  “So, you and what's his name from high school, that didn't work out? I really thought there was a future there for you too.”

  “Craig. And no, we're not together. We just wanted two different things. You know? We just sort of grew apart.” Yeah, we wanted different things like I wanted him and he wanted the girl who interned at his office. But I wouldn't tell her that.

  “Well I'm glad to hear that you found someone new. I never really liked Craig that much but I didn't want to say that to you. If you were happy, I was happy for you but I always felt like he was kind of I don't know shady? It was probably just my imagination but...” she shrugged.

  “It wasn't your imagination,” I blurted out. “He cheated on me,” I confessed.

  “Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't know I wouldn't have brought it up.”

  “It's okay it was a while back and it's better than I know now then wasting any more time on him.”

  “I totally agree. Maybe this new guy of yours will be the one. I'd love to meet him sometime. We should get together. I'll be in town for the rest of the week if you want to try.”

  “I'm not sure that I'll be able to this time. Maybe next time you're in town? I just have a lot going on right now.” The understatement of the century ladies and gentlemen.

  We said our goodbyes and I checked out at the registers before hurrying to my car. For some reason I couldn't wait to be back home with Mason. It was crazy but with him I felt like I could relax and be myself. It didn't matter that I have been cheated on, it didn't matter but I still live in the same place I'd always lived doing exactly what I had planned to do since high school.

  I was doing what I loved and that's what counted but somehow so many people made it feel like it was nothing. Like my art was a hobby and not a career. Mason looked at my work like it should be in a museum.

  I got back home and unload the groceries from the car. But Mason was nowhere to be found.

  “Mason?” I walk through the halls wondering where he might be.

  “In here,” His voice called from the guest bathroom.

  I rounded the corner and peeked into the bathroom from the home where Mason was lying on his back with his head in the cabinet under the sink.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Your sink was dripping.”

  “Yeah. It has been since I moved in.”

  “I was just taking care of it for you. I figured while you were gone, I’d keep myself busy.”

  “Thanks.” It was weird having a guy around the house. Someone to fix little things that seemed like such a big deal for me but like it was nothing for him to do.

  “Also replace the battery in the smoke detector in the hall. You know that those things beep to let you know when to change the battery? You shouldn't just take the battery out so they shut up.”

  “The battery was out?”

  “Yeah. I didn’t take it out. Cole was supposed to have taken care of it for me.”

  “Well, he took care of it for you alright. He took the battery out and didn’t bother replacing it.”

  “Jerk.”

  Mason raised his eyebrow, “you’re just figuring that one out?”

  “Well no, but he still never ceases to amaze me.”

  “It’s all taken care of now but next time it runs out, get someone you trust to replace it? I don't want you burning up in a fire because your smoke detectors are missing batteries.”

  “I will. Oh, and I got everything on your list.”

  “Great. Let me just wash up and I'll start cooking.”

  “It sounds great. Based on the ingredients you had me pick up it sounds like this meal is going to be delicious.”

  “Oh, it will be.” Mason stood up and began washing his hands all the way up to his arms and he glanced at me in the mirror. “So, what do you do for fun?”

  “For fun?”

  “Yeah what do you do to relax? You asked me but then while you were gone, I realized I never asked you.”

  “Painting relaxes me.”

  “But painting’s your job.”

  “Yes, but my job is also my passion. It's what I enjoy doing. It's what relaxes me.”

  “Love what you do and you never work a day in your life. Isn't that the quote?”

  “Something like that I think.”

  “Well why don't you go paint for a while and I’ll cook. We can both be nice and relaxed by the time dinner is ready.” He chuckled.

  “You don't need any help with dinner?”

  “And have you mess up my masterpiece? Of course not.”

  “How do you know I'm a bad cook?”

  “The lack of culinary supplies in your kitchen gave you away,” He teased.

  “It's a good thing for you that I wasn't cooking at home the night you needed to sneak in here. If I hadn't been home cooking you wouldn't have had the ruse of my delivery food.”

  “A good point. So, I should be glad that you are a terrible cook.”

  “I never said I was a terrible cook. I can get by with the basics.”

  “You mean like toast and boiling water?”

  “I can do a little bit better than that.”

  “Well in any case I'll take care of dinner. You go paint, relax, create something beautiful.” He smiled at me and I love the way he got it. He understood me and my artwork in a way that no one else seemed too. He showed appreciation where other people seemed to just humor me.

  Mason took off to the kitchen and I went to the second bedroom which I’d made into my studio. If I really wanted to paint, I needed to be in my painting shirt. I was weird and quirky when it came to that. I had specific clothes that I wore for painting. I wore an oversized t-shirt long enough that it came to mid-thigh and could be almost a micro dress if it wasn't for the lack of style and shape. The neck was large and hung down one shoulder most of the time. It was loose and
cheap so I could move unrestricted and didn't have to worry if I got paint on me.

  I changed clothes and spread my paints on my pallet trying to envision my next project.

  CHAPTER 8

  Hana

  “Dinner’s ready,” Mason called me from the kitchen.

  I’d completely lost myself in my painting, a faceless man, cloaked in mystery surrounded by darkness. I still needed to work out his facial features but they hadn’t come to me yet.

  I put my brushes in the cleaner and set down my paint pallet.

  “Coming. I just need to clean up and change clothes.” I rushed into my bathroom to wash my hands when he came to the doorway.

  “Don’t worry about changing. That look is adorable.” He smirked playfully and I blushed.

  “This isn’t exactly dinner attire.”

  “Did you finish your painting?”

  “No, not yet.”

  “Well, I thought that if you kept that on, after dinner you could go back to painting while I do the dishes.”

  “You cooked, the least I can do is clean up.”

  “I took over your home and your life. The least I can do is some of the chores so you can get some of your painting done.”

  “Thanks.” I smiled and followed him to the kitchen table.

  We were just about to sit down to eat when there was a knock on the door and both of us tensed. Mason avoided the windows and tucked himself in the corner just out of sight of the door where he could hear everything and I went to answer the door.

  I peeked out and was shocked to see Cassie and an older but definitely recognizable Jeff standing on my front porch. I opened the door hesitantly, unsure of what they were doing on my front porch.

  “Cassie? Hey, what are you—?”

  “I know you said you were really busy but when I told Jeff about running into you, he was so disappointed that he’d missed a chance to catch up and I had seen the stuff in your buggy so I figured you’d be cooking at home tonight. I cooked some of my famous chicken alfredo and thought you might be willing to do a sort of potluck style dinner. Please?”

  That was just like Cassie. She was well-meaning enough but she had no concept of boundaries. Normally, her charming personality was enough to make people oversee her flaws but dropping by unannounced for dinner when I was hiding one of America’s most wanted was crossing the line.