Caleb leaned in and kissed her. “You good?”
She nodded just as he was pulled into a small cluster of the Brotherhood men near the doorway. The loss of his immediate presence left her feeling oddly exposed, though she couldn’t say why.
“Ooh,” Isabelle said, peeking into the tin. “What are they?”
“Rosemary and Parmesan Shortbread Crackers,” Mia replied.
Several guests nearby reached for crackers at the same time Isabelle did. Mia got caught up in conversation with Dani and Joy, laughter bubbling easily.
“Let’s grab food before the guys gobble it all up,” Dani said after a bit.
They moved back toward the table. The spread had thinned to half-full dishes of dip, a few slices of ham, crumbs scattered where people had gone back for seconds.
She looked over at her crackers.
She frowned.
A small, sharp prickle settled between her shoulders. Usually, there would be nothing left but crumbs. Tonight, the tin looked barely touched. A faint unease came over her.
Joy reached for one anyway. “I’ve heard wonderful things about these. Can’t wait to try.”
She took a bite. Her smile faltered just a bit. She swallowed, reached for her water, and took a long sip.
“Interesting,” she said gently.
Before Mia could respond, Finn and Titus joined them, each grabbing a cracker. Finn took a bite and paused, his expression tightening as he chewed. “Whoa,” he spat out.
Titus barely got it in his mouth before shaking his head. “That’s not right.”
Heat crept up Mia’s neck. “Let me taste.”
Her pulse thudded in her ears. Her fingers felt clumsy as she picked one up.
She took a small bite.
The salt hit first. Her mouth went dry instantly.
Ruined.
Her hands shook as she set the piece down. The noise in the room seemed to dull, like cotton stuffed in her ears. The room seemed to tilt, just slightly.
“That’s not…” she started, then stopped. “That’s not how they’re supposed to taste.”
No one argued.
Dani touched her arm. “Hey. It happens.”
Mia barely heard her. She’d made these a hundred times, maybe more. She didn’t need to taste them because she knew them.
Except now she didn’t.
Caleb appeared at her side, concern etched across his face. “Mia?”
“They’re wrong,” she said quietly.
Caleb’s gaze followed hers to the tin, then returned to her face. He didn’t argue. “Do you want to head out?”
Relief rushed through her. She nodded. “Yeah, I think so.”
