Kirk’s heart skipped as he leaned forward. Their faces were so close he could see tiny flecks of gold in her blue-gray eyes. The intensity of the moment hit him all at once.
That’s the most romantic thing that’s ever happened in this kitchen,his bear declared.
It’s just a taste test,Kirk countered, though he couldn’t ignore the awareness humming between them.
He opened his mouth, and she carefully tipped the spoon forward. The flavors bloomed across his tongue.
“It’s good,” he said, savoring the complexity.
Isla’s eyebrow arched playfully. “Do I feel a ‘but’ coming on?”
She reads us too well already,his bear said with delight.
Kirk cracked a grin and said lightly, “Have you forgotten where you are?”
Percy snorted. “Of course she hasn’t.”
Isla chuckled. “I think what Kirk is trying to say is we are in the kitchen of a well-known chili farmer, and we have not added chilies to the dish.”
“I don’t like too spicy, remember,” Percy said, his expression growing cautious.
“How could we forget?” Kirk reached for a small jar on the counter. “Try a pinch of this.”
Isla glanced at the deep red flakes. “How spicy is it?”
“My milder blend,” he said. “Just enough heat to wake the other flavors up.”
She’s going to love it,his bear predicted confidently.
Let’s hope so.Kirk watched as she took the jar from him, their fingers brushing for a moment. By accident or design, he couldn’t tell, but the touch stayed with him.
Her eyes met his for a fleeting moment, then she turned back to the pan, sprinkled in a small amount, stirred, and lifted the spoon to her lips. Kirk found himself holding his breath as she tasted it.
“Perfect,” Isla whispered, her eyes widening slightly.
Kirk’s bear practically preened with satisfaction.She loves it. We’re winning her over one taste at a time.
Not everything is about winning,Kirk replied, though he couldn’t deny he wanted to win Isla’s heart.
His bear snorted.Says the man who spent three years perfecting that particular chili blend.
“Can I try?” Percy asked, apparently over his initial hesitation about spicy food.
“Of course,” Isla said. “We need your seal of approval. Grab a spoon and have a taste.”
Percy darted to the drawer Kirk had opened earlier and retrieved a small spoon. He handed it to his mom with a solemn expression that made Kirk bite back a smile.
Isla dipped the spoon into the fragrant mixture, then blew on it gently, her lips pursing in a way that momentarily distracted Kirk. Then she leaned down and offered the spoon to her son.
The boy studied the spoonful with the gravity of a food critic about to deliver a career-ending verdict. He leaned forward, lips carefully parting as his mom guided the spoon into his mouth. Kirk watched the boy’s face shift from surprise to concentration, his eyebrows furrowing as he considered the taste.
After what seemed like the world’s most dramatic taste test, Percy swallowed and nodded firmly.
“It passed,” he declared, straightening his shoulders. “But it’s right on the edge of too spicy.”
Kirk bit back a laugh. The kid had opinions and was not afraid to share them.
“Right on the edge, huh?” Isla asked, her eyes dancing with amusement.
