I chopped some herbs and tossed them into a saucepan. The aroma from the sauteeing vegetables and seasonings wafted through my apartment, and I breathed in deeply. I paused my knifework. “Aaahh,” I exhaled, my eyes closed. “Delicious.”
I’d probably get teased if any of my manly friends found out I loved to cook. For all they knew, I lived off of microwave meals. Or whatever it was that they ate. I rolled my eyes and cut a bunch of green beans in half, throwing them into the saucepan.
Because I had a job in the arts, my friends had already mockingly threatened to take away my metaphorical man card. If they found out I was practically a chef as well, they might send me to a reforming camp to restore my masculinity.
I personally didn’t find anything wrong with cooking. It was fun, stress relieving, and much healthier than just eating pop tarts. Reaching over to a pot, I lifted the top on my rice. It was coming along nicely.
All of a sudden, I was hit by such a strong wave of emotion I actually staggered backwards from the stove. Blinking, I shook my head. “What the—?”
I quickly set down the knife. I felt so incredibly angry—furious, even—that holding a knife was probably not the best plan.
As someone who wasn’t typically nearly knocked over by immense anger, this was extremely shocking to me. The heck is happening?! I thought. One second I’m just enjoying myself, cooking, and now I want to kick a wall?! Is this a really bad mood swing? Am I—is my masculinity really leaving for good? Will I start having hot flashes next?!
I stomped over to the couch and glared at it. “Why am I so angry?” I almost yelled. “I want to just—”
I punched my couch several times. That seemed to help.
After I had expended some energy on the couch, I flopped down on it. I glared at the wall. “Brandon,” I said through halfway gritted teeth, “what in the world is happening to you?”
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Taylor is a Starbucks barista acing her way through college. Brandon is a talented graphic designer. Taylor's parents are on the brink of divorce. Brandon lives alone. The two of them have nothing in common. When both are randomly struck by lightning, they involuntarily establish a physical and emotional link. They barely know each other. So why are they connected in a way no one, even themselves, could understand?
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Coming soon to a blog near you.
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