Her mess cleaned, Nina went to work cutting off the too-burned bits of the steak, managing to salvage a little more than half of it. All they had to do after that was wait for the potatoes and broccoli.

She sighed. "Sorry it's boring out there lately." Nina reached down to take his boots once he was done uncaring and removing them. "On the other hand — glad you're home. I miss you when you're gone."

Oh.

That was embarrassing. Nina's eyes widened at her own comment and she quickly hurried to put his shoes away.