I let out a nervous laugh. “What?” I ask as I start to walk inside, following the group.
Ash just shakes his head at me before coming inside as well and find the others upstairs. Scarlett shows everyone to their rooms before we head back downstairs to figure out what to have for dinner.
I move to the pantry looking at what we have. “What does everyone feel like?”
Scarlett squeezes in beside me, rifling around before pulling out a box with some taco shells. She arches a brow at me. “Mexican night?”
“Whatever you want, Quinn.” I mutter, trying not to think about our proximity and the effect she has on me – not tomention what just happened in the hot tub barely half an hour ago.
I tip my head back, willing myself to have some kind of patience when it comes to her. It’s proving harder than expected.
“Tacos?” I hear Scarlett call out behind me and the boys cheer their agreements.
…
All the ingredients are laid out on the dining table - bowls of shredded lettuce, grated cheese, grilled steak, salsa, and a whole lot of variations of hot sauce.
Scarlett brings through some charred tortillas and some heated taco shells and sets them on the table.
The guys and Gigi are already sitting around the table.
Gigi moves to grab Scarlett’s elbow, guiding her to the seat between us. I tense slightly when her arm brushes my shoulder as she takes a seat.
I take a deep breath before standing slightly to start plating. Calloway does the same, reaching out to grab a few tacos. I slap his hand away. “The girls eat first.” I say, giving him a pointed look.
He sighs, leaning back in his seat, I nudge Scarlett, picking up her plate.
“What do you feel like?” I mumble, aware of everyone at the table staring at us.
Scarlett looks up at me with a shy smile. “Oh, I’m not fussy. I’ll just take a bit of everything.”
I narrow my eyes at her before filling her plate, giving her one soft taco and one hard taco to start. I plate for Gigi next.
I nod at Calloway, and he jumps up starting to load up his plate, the other boys following suit. Glancing to Scar, I see her eyes have widened slightly at the amount of food the boys arepiling onto their plate – which is why I made sure she got her food first.
Once we all have our food and drinks, we toast before settling into a comfortable silence with everyone eating.
I’m careful to chew with my mouth closed and eat as silently as possible. The last thing I want is to be scolded by Scarlett with these guys in company. I love them, but they’d never let me live it down.
Steele reaches across the table for the hot sauce, pouring a healthy serving over his taco. Enough to make my eyes widen in shock. He’s going to die.
“Careful, Ben,” Gigi warns. “Last time you had hot sauce, you couldn’t feel your face for hours.”
Steele rolls his eyes. “I can handle it.” He mumbles, as he rolls the soft taco.
Ash leans back in his seat, crossing his arms looking unimpressed. “Are we forgetting what happened last time?”
Last time Steele tried hot sauce was at a food truck in downtown Seattle. Within seconds after taking his first bite, his face had turned the deepest shade of red possible. He had sweat pouring down his temples soaking his shirt. He was practically gasping for air. I don’t know how that experience alone wouldn’t completely turn him off.
“I’m a changed man, you guys.” Steele quips before taking a huge bite out of the taco.
Gigi leans back in her seat, eyes narrowing at Steele. “Uh-huh. Famous last words.”
Steele freezes, squeezing his eyes shut. Here we fucking go. He starts coughing uncontrollably, slapping his hand down on the table. Swallowing his food, he begins to wheeze.
“Yep, here’s the meltdown.” Calloway mutters with a small grin on his face as he slaps Steele’s back a couple of times, no one really paying any attention – this isn’t the first time.
“Is he good?” Scarlett asks, looking around the room.
