Warm air greets us as the doors open and we head out to our trucks. Ford snagged a spot up front, and I wave as he hops in. Nate and I continue walking toward the patch of magnolia trees where we’re parked.
“Doing anything with the kids tonight?”
His truck starts once we’re close enough with a roaring sound. “Mia saw something online about a little league fundraiser happening, so I think she wants to do that and then go buy some Halloween decorations.”
“It’s September.”
His hands raise in front of his chest. “Please. I know. But she loves it and I don’t question the things she loves. Plus, the kids like when we take out all the spooky shit.”
I nod, palming his shoulder before he gets in his truck and drives away. I do the same, plugging in my phone and pulling up the internet to find a good—but easy—recipe for shrimp tacos.
“Excuse me, where can I find your spices?” The basket in my hand is empty except for the list I jotted down in the car on the back of my receipt from the coffee shop.
Shrimp
Cumin
Rice—white rice, maybe Jasmine? Basmati?
Limes
Avocados
Sour Cream
Canned chipotle chiles
The recipe I found also called for cheese and corn, both of those I miraculously have at home already.
“Aisle seven,” the teen employee replies.
I love food, but I don’t cook things from scratch very often. Turns out, cooking for one is pretty fucking depressing, and I haven’t actually wanted to make a huge mess in my kitchen just for me. That’s why those pre-made meals have been my go-to.
Seriously? I mutter under my breath as I’m bent down looking at the spices. I see taco seasoning, but can’t find ground cumin anywhere. Can I use taco seasoning and it’ll taste the same?
Dammit.
I pull my phone from my shorts and hover over Nate’s name before quickly pressing call.
“Hey,” Nate answers followed by absolute chaos. Someone’s crying and there’s music playing and there’s also someone asking him rapid-fire questions in the background.
“Can I use taco seasoning for the same effect as ground cumin?” I ask, cutting right to the chase. He clearly has his hands full, and I hate interrupting his family time as it is.
“Uh, I mean, cumin is in taco seasoning. But so is salt, paprika, stuff like that, so if you use taco seasoning I probably wouldn’t add the other ingredients.” He pauses. “Wait, what are you doing? Are you cooking?”
“I’m shopping and then cooking.”
“Liam, you’re grocery shopping?” I hear Mia’s voice through the speaker and let out a heavy sigh.
“Yes, I’m grocery shopping. I do this sometimes.”
“I think he has a lady friend coming over,” I hear Nate say to her, and Mia lets out a gasp.
“Okay, well, thanks for the help, Campbells. Have a good night.”
“Bye.” It’s a collective goodbye from everyone. My best guess is they were in the car and everyone heard the conversation.
I grab the taco seasoning and the rest of the things on my list, hustling through the aisles not letting myself browse. At the checkout counter, the older man ringing me up starts a casual conversation, one that ends with wishing me luck on Sunday, and I shoot him a smile and a thank you as I leave.
