Ethan opened the door with a face like thunder.
"What, not happy to see me? I didn't just come to freeload, brought a bunch of stuff."
Royce had his hands full—fruits, some nice cuts of beef and lamb.
He figured his good buddy had really settled into the simple life, so something down-to-earth felt just right.
Back in the day, food gifts would've confused Ethan more than anything.
"Professor Duncan, you shouldn't have brought all this. Seriously, it's too much."
Eleanor, mid-way through stewing fish, wiped her hands and hurried over.
Though she was still a bit annoyed at Royce for calling Ethan dumb, being polite was non-negotiable.
"Just picked them up on the way. Felt bad always mooching off your cooking," Royce said with a grin.
Eleanor reached to take the b
