The door slammed shut with a bang as Ethan Roscente strode into the living room, his expression stormy.

Justin Kemnis was lounging on the couch, a cigarette dangling from his lips. Through the haze of smoke, he caught sight of Ethan's icy glare and immediately straightened up.

"Milo just got discharged from the hospital. What are you doing smoking around him?" Ethan's voice was sharp as frost.

Justin blinked, glancing at Milo Roland on the sofa.

Milo quickly waved his hands. "It's fine, Mr. Roscente. I don't mind."

Ethan didn't spare Milo a glance, his gaze fixed on Justin. "Put it out."

Justin looked down at his half-smoked cigarette, then at the tense line of Ethan's jaw. He hastily stubbed it out in the ashtray.

Ethan loosened his tie and rolled up his sleeves, revealing muscular forearms.

"I'll help in the kitchen." He pointed a warning finger at Justin. "If I catch you smoking again..."

Justin raised his hands in surrender. "Got it, got it."

The kitchen door was slightly ajar. Ethan pushed it open.

Jenna Roland was focused on chopping carrots, her knife moving with practiced ease.

"I'll handle this." Ethan's sudden voice made her jump, the knife nearly nicking her finger.

She looked up at him, disbelief written across her face.

"Problem?" Ethan frowned.

Jenna swallowed. "No, I can manage—"

Ethan snatched the knife from her hand. "You're too slow."

Jenna stepped back, watching as he picked up a carrot.

"You know how to chop vegetables?" she ventured cautiously.

Ethan didn't respond. The knife came down in swift strokes.

Moments later, Jenna stared at the uneven carrot strips on the cutting board, her lips twitching.

"Um..." she said diplomatically, "maybe I should take over?"

Ethan didn't look up. "Go cook your chicken wings."

Jenna turned away silently and began preparing the cola chicken wings. As the water boiled for blanching the wings, she stole glances at Ethan's knife skills.

Some carrot strips were as thick as fries, others as thin as toothpicks.

Ethan transferred the chopped carrots to a plate and picked up a stalk of lettuce.

"Sliced or shredded?" he asked.

Jenna forced a smile. "Sliced."

When the lettuce slices appeared on the board, her expression froze.

Some were paper-thin, others thick enough to build a wall.