Page 84 of A Little Twist
“I think these are ready!” Jessica’s tone is bright, and she takes the pan off the stove, shutting off the fire.
“You didn’t add the cheese!” Pinky turns worried eyes to me. “She didn’t add the cheese, Ma… MC!”
My lip is going to be destroyed with how much I’m chewing it. Thank God we had ourMama Casschat last night, as painful as it was.
“That’s okay!” Returning to them, I put my hand on Pinky’s back. “The cheese can be added once they’re in the shells.”
“But that’s not how we do it!” My little friend is adamant.
“I don’t think it’s really that big of a deal.” Jessica’s eyes are wide, and she laughs like this is so ridiculous.
It is ridiculous, of course, but we’re dealing with a perfectionist almost five-year-old Leo.
“Hey.” I bend down beside Pinky’s ear. “Jessica is our guest. Let’s be nice, okay?”
Pinky’s tone is quietly urgent. “But she’s not doing it like you do!”
“That’s because she’s not me.” I give her chin a boop and pass Jessica the pouch of shredded cheese. “Ready to cheese it?”
“Sounds like I’d better be.” I can’t tell if she’s offended, but I’m holding my smile.
My cheeks ache as bad as my chest does when Alex finally appears in the kitchen. “Looks like you guys are having fun. Breakfast tacos?”
He has no idea.
“Daddy!” Pinky jumps up and down holding her arms out, something she never does when it’s just the three of us.
He steps over and lifts her onto his hip. “How’s it going, Sweet P?”
“We tried to make the eggs, but Jessica forgot the cheese.” She shakes her head sadly. “I don’t know how they’re going to taste.”
Jessica’s jaw drops, and I jump in fast. “They’re going to taste the same as always, because we added the cheese while the eggs were still hot!”
“Good save.” Alex gives me a brief smile. “Thanks.”
My jaw tightens, and I go to the bar. “I only put out three place settings. We can move this to the table and all eat together.”
“I’m good,” he says, placing Pinky in her stool at the bar beside me. “If you’ve got this under control, I’ve got to take care of a few things at the distillery. Then Aiden invited us all to dinner.”
“Hooray!” Pinky pumps her little arms over her head.
“Your brother Aiden?” Jessica’s voice is tentative. “The sheriff?”
“The one and only.” Alex turns, going to the coffee pot and fixing a to-go mug. “I’ll be back in time for us to ride over together.”
My eyes widen slightly, and I’m ready to pinch him. Is he actually leaving like this without even talking to me? “You’re going to work?”
“It’s the end of the week. I have to take care of orders. Looks like you’re all good here?”
“Are we… saying anything?” I nod towards Pinky, and his eyes go to Jessica.
“I think we can give it a few days, yes?” His tone is more of an order than a question, and Jessica immediately concedes.
“Yes! Of course.” She walks up to where I’m standing. “We’ll keep getting to know each other. It’s all going to be fine.”
I’m not so sure about that.
Pinky’s busy filling her taco shell with eggs, guacamole, and salsa, completely oblivious to the tense adults around her.