Love at First Novel by Gu Lingfei

"There's nothing like home," Tatum said with a smile as he gathered the dishes. "They say a golden nest or a silver nest can't compare to your own little doghouse. No matter how fun or beautiful a place is, nothing beats the comfort of home."

With that, he turned and headed to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

Elora sat quietly for a few moments before getting up and following him. She stopped at the kitchen doorway, watching as he worked.

"Tatum, why do you like doing housework so much?" she asked.

He glanced at her and shrugged. "No special reason. I just enjoy it-same as cooking. I've loved it since I was a kid."

As he grew older, Tatum had built an entire career around that passion.

It felt good to do what he loved-and even better to make a living from it.

After washing his hands and drying them, he turned to her.

"It's late, Miss. Go get some rest. Tomorrow morning, I'll make your favorite breakfast," he said gently.

Then he chuckled. "Alonzo and Angelo have been begging me to cook for them these past two days, but I wasn't in the mood. They'll finally get their wish tomorrow morning-they'll be

thrilled."

Elora raised an eyebrow. "If they love your food so much, why didn't you cook for them?"

Tatum was usually so good to those two little troublemakers.

She had once thought he was simply fond of kids in general.

But now, she understood.

seen her family as his

weren't just kids-they were his brothers-in- law. And as their eldest

couldn't help but

had slowly woven himself into her and her family's lives, like warm water gradually boiling a frog. And now,

But she didn't mind.

Not at all.

trapped, she found herself savoring the warmth of his

of love-steady,

you're right. My mind wandered." She

the stairs, then let go of her hand and said

he wanted to hold her, maybe even steal a

But he didn't dare.

Not yet.

barrier between them had only just been

him, she still needed time

about to step away,

stunned for half a second-then he wrapped his arms

a moment, neither of them

gently pulled away and said, "You should get some rest too, Tatum.

Tatum gathered

leaned in and pressed a soft

Miss," he