Nutcracker Sweet

“What . . . What are you doing here? How did you get here?” Tara stammered.

“They have your address at the ballet school. I asked to send the nutcracker.”

Tara couldn't believe her ears. “Yeah and you just showed up?” His grin did things it shouldn't. That’s why she left early, Megan would have been fine for her to sit and talk. The dreams wouldn't have been an issue.

“The show is over, I don't have to cook for people I don't know for a few days, and I feel like cooking for someone I know.”

“You hardly know me.”

“Maybe I thought you could use a night out, and I knew you wouldn't leave the house for it. I brought the date to you.”

“Date?”

His eyes bored into her. He didn't even have to say the words ‘triple dog dare you’, the look said it all. “You remember those don't you? Where's the kitchen?”

A dinner she didn't have to cook, without a child in tow. She couldn't even come up with any argument. Taking a deep breath, Tara lifted her chin and stared into his eyes. “In the back, I’m sure it’s nothing like what you're used to using.”

Jake only grinned. “Show me the way.” The kitchen was the one room they had redone after moving in. It was small, but well furnished, at least for her needs. The beige granite countertops matched perfectly to the mahogany cabinets, for the price they should. He sat the bags on the butcher-block island, and pointed to a barstool. “Get comfortable.”

“You cook all the time; are you sure you don't want me to do it?”

“Sit.” He ordered and pulled out a bottle of wine. “Glasses?”

“In the dining room, top shelf of the china cabinet.” Tara sat down slowly, still trying to figure if this was really happening. He was right that she wouldn't leave Megan to go out, but for him to show up? A drop dead gorgeous man couldn't have really shown up to make her dinner on Christmas Eve, could he?