The songs for this chapter are "Gone, Gone, Gone" by Phillip Phillips, "Smile" by Uncle Kracker and "Lay Me Down" by Sam Smith This is the longest chapter I've ever written in my life, I hope you guys love it. xoxox
Gena's POV
I touch up my lipstick in the car before pulling out of my parking space. A car rushes past behind me and I nearly back into them. Loud rap music roars from the open windows and I quash the urge to flip them off. Rolling my eyes, I make my way to the store, dancing in my seat to the radio. I find a space in the shade and grab my bag, opening the car door and stepping out into the heat. I shudder and close the door, walking into the store and breathing a sigh of relief when I'm greeted with a blast of cold air conditioning.
I snag a cart and dig through my purse, looking for my shopping list. I scan the items and make a beeline for the produce section. I grab some plastic bags, and fill them with fruits. I place the bag in the cart and collect bread, tea, cereal, and coffee. When I'm done with that I hit the black line on my list and sigh happily when I see I've reached the cold stuff at the end.
Half an hour later, I've filled my cart with meat, hot dogs, cookie dough and eggs. I check to be sure everything's been crossed off on my list, and quickly navigate to the shortest checkout line. I place my items on the conveyor belt and scan the magazines. Celebrities are pregnant, getting married and a new season of a T.V. show I don't watch has aired. I shrug microscopically and retrieve my credit card from my bag.
"$45.29." The teenaged boy behind the register says to me, and I swipe my card, sign and pick up my groceries.
"Thanks." I mutter and rush back to my car, trying to escape the heat. I quickly load the groceries into the trunk and hop back into the driver's seat. When I get back to my apartment, I put the groceries away, open a can of tea and bust open the cookie dough. In ten minutes, I have Sidney and I's favorites baking in the oven. I pull my phone out of my purse and dial his number. He answers on the fourth ring.
"Miss Krasota," he says, smugness buttering his masculine voice.
"Mr. Martin," I reply, equally as cocky. "I call to invite you over for dinner tonight, as a return for yesterday." I can practically hear the smile in his voice, as he replies,
"I would absolutely love that, what's cooking, good-looking?" He teases and I laugh.
"It's a surprise, I picked up some stuff at the store. Will you be here?"
"Frankly I'd be there if we ate cereal out of coffee filters, darling. Of course I'll be there. What time works for the queen?"
My cheeks heat up like the chocolate chip cookies in the oven. "Well, it's about four thirty now... how's seven?" The joy in his voice when he replies hits me like a thousand bricks.
"Seven is perfect, I will see you then." I smile and scratch my nose, glancing at the cookies.
"See you then."
"G'bye, princess. I'll see you soon." He makes a purposely obnoxious kissing noise through the phone and I burst into laughter, barely able to do it back.
"Bye, Sid." The oven timer has seven minutes left on it. I open the fridge and stare at its contents, wondering what the hell to cook. I pull the chicken and ground beef I had bought out of the fridge and and open the drawer, grabbing bags of shredded cheese. I put some penne noodles on boil as the timer dings. I crack the oven door to let the steam out. The smell of cookies floods the kitchen and I groan in bliss.
I dice chicken and make meatballs, before stirring the pasta and opening a can of cream of chicken. I dump the cream into a bowl and add a bunch of mozzarella and cheddar cheese, mixing the contents before emptying it into a pot and putting it on the stove. I take the cookies out of the oven and place them on the counter top to cool. I open my spice cabinet and take out garlic powder, Italian seasoning and paprika.
