“Are you? And what’s this?”
“He said his missed my cooking and—”
“Let me see,” I said. Reluctantly she held up one container of steak fajitas and another of chicken.
“No,” I said shaking my head. “Not the steak.”
“But—”
“And make sure he gets a half portion. And tomorrow morning we will talk about his diet. He’s on restrictions during his recovery. He did have a heart attack.”
“Oh,” she said with her eyes wide. “Mr. Alexander said it was just stress.”
My father, the liar. What did I expect from the premier spin-doctor of LA? I see I have more to manage than my father’s business.
“And you believed him? Wanita, I’m surprised.”
“Sorry, Jacine. I should have known better.”
“I’ll take that steak container.”
“There is more in the refrigerator for you with the rest of the fixings. It’s good to have you home.”
“Thank you, Wanita.”
She gave a passing glance to Rory. “Mr. Holmes,” Wanita said as she walked by him.
“Good to see you again, Wanita. You do make the best fajitas in LA.”
She smiled.
“There should be enough for two,” she said.
Oh brother. Now I have to invite him in.
“Come along,” I said.
“I’ve always liked your house,” he said. “It’s not pretentious like so many LA homes.”
“Thanks. So you’ve been here before?”
“You don’t remember? Your MBA grad party, beforeBanshee, broke up?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Yes. Of course.”
I pulled out Wanita’s homemade ice tea, fajita wraps, salsa, and black beans and rice from the refrigerator, and heated the food separately in the microwave. Using that appliance was my one culinary accomplishment.
“Can I help?” he said.
“The plates and cups are in that cupboard.”
“Where do you want them?”
“The kitchen island is fine,” I said. I turned to set the rice on the island when Rory collided with me with plates in hand. The bowl flew out of my hand and glanced off my foot.
“Damn-it!” I said hopping as pain shot through me.
“Sorry, sorry,” he said.
