The Taste of true love

didn't care. Why shouldn't Richard leave? she told herself. She ignored the little voic

a drew her, Annie stood in the doorway and looked at the guy in question, sprawled on the

nnie walked over to the fire and put another log on it, stirring the flames until they reached little tongues of fire out at her. She turned ar

ive truce. Richard finally looked up from his book, a glint of surprise in his ey

ertainty. "I just didn't want to be alone," she admitted, the admis

ning back on the couch. "Fair enough," he said, a newf

suaded to remember your name if continue being nice to me.' He smoothed down Annie's collar then walked away, throwing a

thing, baby,' he said. 'You've already proved you can do the food thing, and honey,' Richard

an impromptu culinary collaboration. Richard, displaying a surprising skill with mixing drinks,

r. The warmth of the bourbon and the shared laughter created an atmosphere that transcended the initial t

pots, she shared stories of her life in New Zealand, the landscapes, and the reasons that led her to this remote cabin. Richard was surprised. She never knew Annie had gone thro

he fire provided a soundtrack to the evening, making the cabin feel less like a battleground and more like a space where unexpected connections could be forged. And as th

ppearing back into the kitchen. 'I'm spendin

d got some cubes. Her glass tinkling, she tipped it

id. 'Now tell me where that gorg

him, taking a sip of her drink. 'Who

Richard said, filling his glass. 'Then you

. 'Ah-ha!' he crowed. 'Listen to this! We can dance to this, Whad da ya say?' Annie groaned and collapsed back against the cushio

od' swelled out into the room. Annie fell giggling

e stuttered. 'No kidding. Come on S

olic haze, thinking she was doing a pretty good job as they boogied to the music. The son

' she whispered into Richard's ear.

pulling Annie around to look out the window. 'That's fucking freaky.' His fingers tugged at Annie's sleeves. 'What is it?' Annie stared through t