The Proposal (The Proposition #2)(42)

She laughed. “Well, thank you then.”

“While you get cleaned up, I’ll go get us some plates and silverware.”

“Sounds good.”

As Emma swiped herself clean of the jelly, she heard Pesh opening and closing cabinets. He had started into the living room when a bang at the basement door caused him to jump and almost drop everything. His wide-eyes met Emma’s as scratching and howling persisted at the door. “Is Aidan keeping someone hidden in the basement?”

She giggled. “That would be our…um, well, Aidan’s very spoiled dog, Beau.”

Pesh nodded as he set down the plates. “Want me to let him out?”

“I guess so. I wasn’t quite sure how he might react to you.”

“Animals usually love me, so we’ll see if I can win him over.” When Pesh opened the basement door, Beau came bounding in. He raced over to Emma and licked her hand. “Hey good boy.”

Then his ears perked up, and he swung around to take in Pesh. A low growl erupted in his throat. “No, no, Beau. Pesh is our friend,” she said, grabbing his collar.

Pesh slowly walked over to the couch. Tentatively, he stuck his hand out for Beau to smell. After Beau took it in, he still stared hard at Pesh. “I would almost think Aidan had warned him about me before he left tonight,” he mused.

Emma laughed. “He’s usually really good around strangers, but I was afraid this might happen with Aidan gone.”

“He’s just being a good, territorial dog. Since he doesn’t know me, he’s protecting you and the baby.” Pesh tilted his head to the side. “Hmm, let’s see if I can make friends.” He dug his hand into one of the bags. “Let’s see if a piece of Samosa might seal the deal.” He reached out to Beau with the piece of what looked like a tortilla.

Beau glanced back at her. “It’s okay. You can have it.” Reluctantly, he inched forward and snatched the bread out of Pesh’s hand.

“What exactly is that?”

“It’s a wrap of potatoes and spices.”

“Oh jeez, then he’ll be in heaven. He loves potatoes almost as much as his daddy does.” When she realized what she had said, she couldn’t fight the flush filling her cheeks.

“So while I get things unpacked, do you want to tell me what happened with you and Aidan?”

Emma grimaced. “Do I have to?”

“Not if it’s going to upset you. I would never want to cause you any pain.”

She groaned. “No, I guess it’s only fair that you know what you’re dealing with.”

“Or what I’m up against?”

“I guess,” she murmured.

“So, you and Aidan were dating, you got pregnant, and he couldn’t commit?” Pesh suggested, as his hand delved into one of the bags.

Oh God. How could he be further from the truth? “Not exactly.”

Pesh drew his attention away from the containers he was taking out and looked at Emma. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“No, it’s just at the hospital when I said it was a long story, I wasn’t kidding.” After drawing in a deep breath, she proceeded to tell Pesh everything from the start of wanting Connor to father her child to Aidan’s betrayal.

When she finally finished, Pesh shook his head. “You’re right. That was a really long story.” At his teasing, Emma smacked his arm playfully, and he grinned. “Thank you for sharing that with me. I know it couldn’t have been easy unburdening yourself of all that pain.”

Emma cocked her head at him. “Do you always talk so proper—so worldly?”

“My parents like to say I’m an old soul. I guess that’s why I sound the way I do.”

“Were you the oldest?”

Pesh nodded. “Yes, you could say I’m the classic oldest child stereotype. My baby brother…well, he’s a whole other story for another day.”

Emma laughed as Pesh started pouring out some soup into a bowl. She sniffed appreciatively at the bowl. “Hmm, what’s this?”

“Rasam or tomato soup.”

She took a tentative bite. “That’s really good.”

“I thought you might like it. It’s very healthy too. Good for digestion.”

Emma laughed. “The restaurant should hire you to do PR for them.”

“You think?”

She nodded. “I should know. I mean, I do work in advertising.”

After taking in a few spoonfuls of the soup, she eyed another container Pesh was opening. At her apprehension, he said, “Just take a bite of the Daal Makhani.” When she gave Pesh a skeptical look, he laughed. “Trust me. It’s good for you. It has a lot of protein and fiber in it.”

The moment she thrust the spoonful into her mouth she knew she had made a mistake. “That’s hot.”

“Seriously?”

She bobbed her head while waving her hand in front of her mouth. “I guess I should have mentioned I’m kinda a wuss when it comes to spicy foods.”

“Oh, well, then. Why don’t you skip out on that and take the Butter Chicken instead.” Pesh put some orange looking chicken on her plate.

“So tell me about your family,” Emma said. It was hard to talk considering her tongue was still enflamed.