One leg is sort of broken.” When he moved back, she stepped off it and kicked it aside, out of her way. She peered at him as she dragged the container of flour across the counter, closer to the big empty mixing bowl that was ready for her.
His gaze took in the flour, eggs and other ingredients scattered over the counter. “Mmmm. Looks like you’re doing some serious cooking. Is there anything I can do to help? I’m pretty handy in the kitchen.”
“ You cook?”
He shrugged. “I can stir.”
“Good enough.” She cracked an egg shell and emptied its contents into the bowl. The melted butter went in next. “Could you please measure out some flour?” As she stirred the egg and butter, she tipped her head to the measuring cup on the counter.
“Of course.” He grabbed the container of flour and pulled on the lid. It didn’t budge. He grimaced, pulling harder.
“There’s a trick to getting that open,” she said, feeling a giggle bubbling in her belly.
His teeth visually gritted. “That’s okay.” He yanked again. “I’ll get it.”
“But it comes very easily if you—“
The lid broke loose--easier than Aeron had expected. The whole container flew to the side, slipping from his grip. Jenn watched the whole thing in slow motion as she tried frantically to catch the sailing carton before all the contents spilled out.
She failed. It hit the counter and a puff of flour erupted out the top, showering them both.
Aeron looked at her, eyes blinking, eyelashes coated white. He looked adorable. He looked embarrassed. And he looked absolutely sexy. “Um. Yeah. It does come off easily.”
Jenn’s lips twitched. She didn’t want to laugh. That might make him more embarrassed. She could tell his ego had taken a beating already. His neck was turning a very attractive shade of red, and growing brighter by the second.
His lips curled up. Then the y parted and he broke into a deep, rumbling laugh. She joined him. She couldn’t help it.
“Do I look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy or what?” he asked as he dragged his white-covered hand across his equally coated face.
“More like a giant white rat.”
“Ha! You don’t look any better yourself.” He dug his hand into the carton, and before she could dive out of the way, he dumped a big fist full of flour on top of her head.
She sputtered and laughed, plunged her hand into the carton and returned the favor, hopping up to try to reach his head. He was too freaking tall. Instead, she ended up dumping the powder on a broad shoulder. A cloud of white puffed out, choking them both for a few seconds as they laughed at each other and themselves.
“What happened?” Logan’s little voice cut through their guffawing, and they both clamped their lips closed and turned toward him. “You made a mess?”
“It was…” Jenn snorted. “An accident.”
Aeron chortled. “Yes, an accident.”
“Jenny, I saw you. You dumped flour on Aeron. I saw you!” Her little brother was hopping up and down now, like a little kangaroo.
An impulse flashed in her head, and she followed it. She scooped a handful of flour and dumped it on Logan’s head.
He shrieked then started jumping around like a caged monkey, throwing flour everywhere. Within seconds, Jenn was covered head-to-toe, Aeron was covered head-to-toe, Logan was covered head-to-toe…and so was Cojack. He was standing in the middle of a huge puddle of snow-white flour yapping, tail wagging. And the kitchen…it looked like a flour factory had exploded in it.
But Jenn was laughing. Laughing! So hard tears were mixing with the flour , the saltwater caking her face, turning the powder into thick glop. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed, let alone so hard.
When she was finally able to catch her breath and stop, she grabbed a fresh roll of paper towels to begin the long process of cleaning up. “Sorry, Logan, but it’ll be a while before I get your pancakes—“
“I say we go out for