Concealing the Evidence color

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Soon they were inside and Aaron came down into the kitchen, his trench coat replaced by a big, roomy sweater. Tacey smiled as she saw him. He was definitely getting bigger, but it only made him cuter. He had the kind of face that would look good at any weight. She moved up to him and draped an apron over his head before he had time to protest, moving behind him and tying it in place, not tight enough to cause his belly to show. Why was he so self-conscious? What was causing him to be so shy? She showed him step by step her secret recipe for chili, watching him in delight as he stirred and got his hands deep into the process. He chuckled as a smear of tomato paste found her way to her cheek. “I love to hear you laugh, Aaron. It’s so nice.”

“Tacey … I’m so glad Richard found you. You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever known. I’m lucky to call you my friend.”

“I’m the lucky one.”

She gazed up at him. He was getting even more handsome as he filled out. How could anyone have left this sweet man standing at the altar with a church full of guests was beyond her. He was everything she’d ever dreamed about as a girl, and then as a woman. But he was her boss and she was only an employee. She couldn’t hope that someone like him would ever want her. “You’re the most handsome man I’ve ever seen,” she murmured to herself.

“No, I’m not. I’m not handsome in the least.”

Tacey was shocked that he had heard her. “Yes, you are.” She paused, collecting her thoughts. “Aaron, I’ve had boys fawning over me as long as I could remember and none of them were as handsome and noble as you. And they were all so damn scrawny! I found that my taste in guys runs larger than most. I’ve dated models and dancers and body builders … and they lacked so much. I guess I just want the boy-next-door type. Unassuming and unpretentious, kinda shy and extremely sweet. And chubby in the least.”

Aaron’s heart leapt in his breast. She couldn’t be talking about me! Could she? She’s … she likes big men? Is she just saying that to be nice? No … she wouldn’t do that. I’m sure she wouldn’t. But why would she want me? I’m … I’m nothing special! And now … I’ve nothing to offer her as I get so much bigger.

“You know what I think?”

Aaron snapped to attention at her words. “No. I know what I think, but not what you think. Tell me and then I’ll know what you think.”

Tacey giggled. “Man, you’ve got a dry sense of humor! Ok … well, I think that men get bigger when they’re happy.”

Aaron raised an eyebrow. “So … does that mean we shrink when we’re not? Should I have been two feet tall when you first came to Crystal Manor?”

“You, sir, are a smart aleck! I admire that in a man. No. I mean horizontally, not vertically. Happy men get chubby. You look happy.”

His smile faltered. “Tacey …,” he trailed off softly.

“You’ve gained maybe … ten or fifteen pounds. You don’t look so gaunt. I don’t like gaunt, skinny men. It reminds me of those starving villagers in Africa or India. You look really, really good now. I hope I’m not speaking out of turn.”

“Never fear to speak what is on your mind, Tacey. You never cease to amaze me. You know what I think?”

“Sure do! I’m psychic!”

He chuckled. “Oh? And just what am I thinking?”

Tacey winked. “You’re wondering how you got so lucky as to have a beautiful, talented, modest expert chef like me all to yourself.”

Aaron laughed. “Definitely modest!”