Chapter 40

Joseph’s POV

“I had no idea you could cook,” I said as we sat down at the dinner table.

She had a couple of bowls placed out with a big pot of stew in the center. She also managed to get into my wine cellar and grabbed some white wine to go with dinner.

“My father taught me,” she explained as she poured wine into the glasses. “Stew was one of my mom’s favorite things to cook and he had her recipe after she passed away. I’m sorry I didn’t ask permission first. I just figured there was so much food sitting around, I might as well cook it.”

“You don’t need to apologize. it smells delicious.”

She smiled at the compliment.

I don’t usually sit in the dining room when I eat dinner. Typically, the normal spot I eat is in my office while I’m doing work. Seeming it’s usually just me, it’s worked out fine for me. But now that Tessa was going to be around for a little while, I supposed I should get used to this.

It was normal for a mortal to want company regardless of how tired they are.

I began to eat the stew and though it tasted a little bland, it reminded me of my days as a human. It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten a home-cooked meal like this. My wife used to cook meals like this all the time before she and my children died.

I shuddered at the very thought.

I sometimes miss my old life like Christopher Moore. But that life ceased to exist decades ago and there was no getting it back.

Maybe it wasn’t the life that I missed, but my family. My children. But like my life as Christopher Moore, they were also long gone.

“How does it taste?” Tessa asked with wide and curious eyes. I knew my answer would matter a lot to her.

“Delicious,” I said in return as I took another bite.

She beamed at my response as she continued eating.

At least she was eating something healthier than pop tarts.

“So, that farm you lived on with your father, have you lived there your entire life?” I found myself stupidly asking.

She paused eating to look at me.

“Yes. I was born there,” she answered. “Why do you ask?”

“Just making conversation,” I answered with a side shrug. “Is farming something you enjoyed doing?”

“It was something I was good at,” she said, almost sheepishly. “I don’t miss having to wake up before dawn to get my morning chores done. But I loved tending to the animals and riding Penny.”

“Penny?”

“My horse,” she said, peering up at me and I noticed she was blushing as our eyes met. “Penelope is her name, but I call her Penny. I’ve had her since I was a little girl.”

“I didn’t know you did horse riding,” I said, raising my brows. “I rode my fair share of horses back in the day.”

This, for some reason, made her laugh.

“’Back in the day?’” She chuckled, mimicking my tone. “You sound like an ancient old man.” But then she froze when she realized what she had said and who she was talking to. “Sorry…” she murmured. “I didn’t mean—”

“I guess I am an ancient old man,” I said, stopping her words before she went into a nervous ramble. “I am a couple hundred years old.”

“I forgot,” she admitted, her face growing even redder. “You just look so young…”

“It’s a really good moisturizing cream,” I told her, keeping my tone nonchalant.

It took her a minute of silence and staring at me confused before she realized I was joking and then she burst out laughing. I felt the tension leaving the room and I cracked a smile myself as I continued eating.

“You are planning on shopping tomorrow in the city, right?” I asked, changing the subject.

I didn’t like the idea of her wandering around the big city alone and it’s not like I could go with her. The sun would do everlasting damage to my body and that wasn’t something I wanted to deal with.

I could potentially die from too much sun exposure.

The only comfort I had in her plan was knowing that as long as the sun was out, she was safe from the new vampires.

“Yes, but I won’t be long. I already know what I’m getting for each room,” she said in return.

“Make sure you bring that perfume Lisa gave you. It’s unlikely the vampires will be out during the day, but it’s better to be careful and I don’t want your scent lingering around the city.”

“I will,” she assured me. “What colors do you like specifically.”

“Dark colors.”

She frowned.

“I wanted to get things that brighten up this place,” she pouted.

“I already told you that I didn’t want it too bright.”

“Maybe a little color? It’s so dark and dreary here. It’s depressing and I’d rather not be depressed anymore.”

I sighed.

“Just get whatever you want,” I finally said. “I’m sure it’ll look fine when you're done. But remember, no natural sunlight.”

“Of course,” she said in return now with a fond smile. “Thank you.”

We both continued eating. At this point, it felt like we were nothing more than a normal couple. We continued with the small talk, getting into conversations about our day and about the weather.

It was something I hadn’t done since my human days.

“Were there any more vampire sightings?” She finally asked me after a short pause.

“Besides this morning? No,” I answered. “But that doesn’t mean they aren’t out there and watching you. That’s why you need to be extremely careful when you go shopping tomorrow.”

“I will be,” she promised. “So, do you miss your life as a human?”

I was surprised by the subject change.

“Sometimes,” I answered. “Having eternal life can be tiring.”

“Tiring?” She asked.

“There’s only so much you can do in life.”

Soon, the entire bowl of stew was gone and so was hers. She leaned back in the seat and gave me a satisfied smile.

“I’m so full,” she said, rubbing her stomach. “I suppose I should clean up.”

“I can always have my cleaning lady come back and clean the kitchen,” I suggested.

She shook her head quickly.

“No, I made the mess, and I should be the one to clean it. Wouldn’t want another couscous incident,” she teased.

I smirked at her comment.

Just then, I heard a musical note coming from Tessa’s pocket. She looked startled as she grabbed her phone. She frowned at the screen, and I could see the recognition behind her gaze. She sighed and quickly declined the call before shoving it back into her phone.

Acting like that had never happened, she stood and started to clear the table. I furrowed my brows together, watching as she stacked up all the dirty dishes.

Without another word, she was bringing the stacks into the kitchen to wash them.

I stared after her.

Who was calling her at this hour?