Lydia looked over at Flynn. “I like her.”
Flynn’s lips ticked up. “Knew you would.”
It wasn’t long before Lydia got up and moved into the kitchen. Mia followed, as did Aubry, Harmony, Katrina and Anya, so Amelia naturally went with them. Lydia started pulling things from the refrigerator, and without knowing what they were going to fix, Amelia dived in to assist.
Then it was a melee of cooking and conversation. Amelia felt right at home talking with the women as she diced onions and tomatoes while conversing about Aubry’s medical residency, Harmony’s interior design firm and Katrina’s modeling career. It was equal parts bizarre and utterly fascinating, but she enjoyed every moment of fixing dinner with this unique family. Eventually some of the guys made their way into the kitchen, including Flynn, who created a rub for the ribs and carried those out back to be grilled.
“How did you decide to become a chef, Amelia?” Lydia asked her.
She spent some time explaining her love of food and her background to Lydia and the rest of the women.
“My plan is to go to culinary school and become a chef,” Anya said. “First I have to get my undergraduate degree, because Katrina and Grant won’t allow me to do it any other way.”
“You’ve got that right,” Katrina said.
Amelia laughed and nodded. “It’s the smart road to take, Anya. And I’ll be happy to recommend some wonderful cooking schools for you if you’d like.”
“I would definitely like that.”
She’d found a kindred spirit in the young Anya, who was in her first year of college. Obviously Grant and Katrina were looking out for Katrina’s siblings in the best way.
She ended up working side by side with Anya. Together, they made salsa and guacamole, along with hummus and baked beans to go with the ribs. Lydia also made potato and green salads. There was a Caprese salad, and Mia had prepped corn on the cob for the guys to roast on the grill. Amelia had found time to whip up a dessert, too.
By the time dinner was ready, her stomach was gnawing with hunger. Katrina had baked bread and Amelia was ready to tear into the food. Aubry had made margaritas, and Harmony had squeezed lemons for another round of lemonade and sliced limes to go with the margaritas. Lydia had opened some wine, the guys had beers, and the spread at the dining room table was to die for.
Amelia had a margarita in hand and had already had a few sips. It was delicious.
“Let’s eat, everyone,” Lydia said after Easton had placed a huge plate of ribs in the center of the table.
Dinner was loud, with several conversations going on at once. Flynn placed his hand at the small of her back.
“Everything going okay?” he asked, his voice low so only she could hear.
She smiled up at him. “It’s perfect. You have an amazing family.”
He grinned. “Thanks. I think so, too.”
The food was wonderful. Amelia tried a little bit of everything, and it was all delicious. By the time they’d finished, she was full.
“Amelia made dessert,” Lydia said.
Flynn looked over at her and raised a brow.
“Nothing fancy. Just a raspberry ricotta cake and an apple pie.”
“While we were outside cooking you made two desserts?” he asked.
“I told you they weren’t fancy.”
“I don’t care if they’re fancy or not,” Easton said. “They both sound good. Let’s have at them.”
“Then I guess you boys better clear off dinner so we can have dessert,” Lydia said.
The guys cleared the table, and Amelia went into the kitchen to bring out desserts, while Anya and Leo brought out plates and utensils.
“I made coffee, too,” Lydia said, “for anyone who wants some.”
They all sat and cut into the desserts and doled them out. Amelia was too full to eat, but she did help herself to another margarita and waited for the verdict.
“Damn, woman,” Easton said after he tasted the apple pie. “This is fine.”
“I’ll say,” his brother Elijah said. “I love raspberries, and this cake is really good.”
They all loved the desserts, which made her happy.
“This raspberry cake is delicious, Amelia,” Lydia said. “You’ll have to share your recipe with me.”
She couldn’t hold back her smile. “I will definitely do that.”
“I’m putting you on pie-making duty tomorrow, Amelia,” Lydia said. “How are you with pecan pie?”
Amelia laughed. “I can definitely handle pies. And pecan is my specialty. Or it will be by tomorrow.”
Lydia smiled and nodded. “Just what I needed to hear.”
“Oh, let’s do a cherry pie, too, Amelia,” Anya said. “I love cherry pies.”
“Me, too, Anya,” Amelia said.
“Don’t forget pumpkin or it won’t be Thanksgiving.” Flynn shot Amelia a hopeful smile.
“Pumpkin pie is his weakness,” Barrett said. “He’ll eat an entire pumpkin pie by himself.”
“Yes, I will, so don’t even think about stealing a slice.”
“I don’t intend to now that Anya suggested cherry pie.”
Amelia loved the conversations about food, and made mental notes about some of Flynn’s favorites.
After everyone finished dessert, she was surprised when all the guys got up to clean up the kitchen, leaving the women to savor their coffee and drinks in the dining room.