CHAPTER NINE // I LIKE YOU

VARIOUS SMELLS OF SEASONINGS AND SPICES FILLED Presley's kitchen, a smile on her lips as she hummed to herself while taking small tastes from the various pots and pans on the stove.

"Needs more garlic." The brunette muttered to herself as her forehead furrowed at the taste.

Presley had always loved cooking. She knew her passion for cooking was something she had inherited from her dad, because it definitely didn't come from her mother.

Inviting Opie over for dinner had allowed Presley to show off a bit. It had been a while since she had cooked for anyone else besides Keely and herself and while that made her a bit nervous, cooking was the one thing Presley was confident about.

"Can I help?" Keely questioned as she walked into the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

Presley turned away from the stove at the sound of her daughter's voice, giving the curly haired child a smile and a nod. "Sure, baby. Just don't get too close to the stove." Presley warned in a gentle tone as she watched Keely grab her small stool from the corner of the room and carry it towards the stove.

"I won't." Keely promised as she placed her step stool a few feet away from the stove. "Can I have a taste?" A wide smile forming on her face as looked at Presley with her large blue eyes.

A laugh left Presley lips as she nodded. Keely had been Presley's taste tester once she was old enough to be. There was no sugar coating Keely's facial expressions either when it came to food. If the food was terrible you would definitely know it just by the sour look that always formed on her face.

"It's good, mommy!" Keely nodded enthusiastically with a smile. "I think my best friend will love it."

A wide smile formed on Presley's lips as she leaned over and placed a kiss on top of Keely's head. "Thank you, sweetie. I think he'll love it too."

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PRESLEY, OPIE, AND KEELY ALL SAT AT THE KITCHEN TABLE a few hours later. It surprised Presley that Opie had arrived right at six like planned. She had expected him late, but it was nice to see him on time.

"Isn't my mommy a good cook?" Keely eyed Opie with a smile. The small blonde child had food all over her face, but she didn't care at all about the mess she had made.

A chuckle left Opie's mouth as he leaned over and wiped Keely's food stained mouth with a napkin. "A very good cook." He looked up at Presley, smiling in her direction as a blush spread across her cheeks.

A warmth spread throughout Presley's body as Opie's words, but also at his actions of cleaning off Keely's face. It was such a sweet gesture. Her ex would have never done that. Hell, most of the time he ignored Keely, yelling for Presley to take care of 'that damn kid' while he did whatever he wanted to.

"Thank you, Opie."

"Thank you for inviting me over tonight and cooking this delicious food." Opie ran a hand over his beard while keeping his eyes on Presley.

He felt happy whenever he was around her. Opie wanted to be around her and Keely as much he could, but there was a nervousness that held him back a bit. What if being with him put them in danger? He couldn't let what happened to Donna happen to Presley or worse to Keely. He would never forgive himself.

"Mommy, can I go play in my room?" Keely questioned, breaking the intense staring contest between the two adults.

"Of course." Presley tore her eyes away from Opie, giving Keely a smile.

"I'll see you later best friend." Keely pushed her chair back from the table and quickly threw her arms around Opie's torso before running off towards her room.

A deep chuckle left Opie's mouth as he watched Keely run down the hallway before grabbing his empty plate and hers, beginning to clean up the table.

"Oh!" Presley quickly stood up from the table and rushed to Opie's side. "You don't have to clean up. I can do that." She reached for the plates in his large hands.

The Munson woman wasn't use to anyone cleaning up after her. It was always her cleaning up while her ex went out and did god knows what with whoever he wanted too. Will had made it clear that in their relationship the man got to do whatever he wanted while the woman did typical 'womanly duties' which according to him meant working all the time and taking care of him. It was pathetic.

Opie raised an eyebrow at Presley's panicked attitude. "Presley, I might look like a caveman but I'm not actually one." He assured while keeping the plates in his hands, even taking hers from her hands. "You cooked it's only fair that I clean up." He told her as he walked towards the kitchen with Presley following close behind him.

"I'm sorry." She sighed as she watched him begin to wash the plates. "I'm just not use to anyone helping. My ex thought women should do everything." She explained in a soft tone.

A snort left Opie's throat. "Sounds like a real asshole." The large man shook his head. He had only heard bits and pieces about Presley's ex, but what he had heard so far made him want to hurt this guy. He sounded like a fucking loser.

"You have no idea." The brunette mumbled as she scratched at her forehead.

Opie turned off the water, placing the last plate in the drying rack before turning towards Presley. "Hey, you didn't deserve that. You and Keely didn't deserve to go through that shit." Opie stated firmly as he closed the small gap between them, which placing his arms around her waist. "I like you a lot, Presley. I know we both have gone through a lot of shit, but you make me feel better." He pulled her body closer to his, placing a kiss on top of her head.

Presley could feel her heart beating out of her chest. It felt so good to be this close to Opie, in his arms like this. Opie made her feel so many things, and all of them were good. She hadn't felt this way in so long. It felt like falling in the best way possible.

"I like you a lot, too. You make me feel safe and you're amazing with Keely. I know the club comes first in your life, but I would really like to see you more." She titled her head up, her hazel eyes staring into his.

A smile formed on Opie's face. "You're not gonna be able to get rid of me." He promised before softly placing his lips against hers.

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AN  —
Wow, an actual update. Sorry I took so long! I really have just been so blah about writing lately. I'm trying to get back into it. Presley and Opie are so cute, but there will definitely be drama coming up for them!