Warmth filled me.
Steven bounded over with the little stuffed animal, and he clipped it to my backpack.
“Thank you.” I gave him a big hug.
His face was buried in my hair. “Anytime. Now how about if we go get those drinks?”
Chapter Thirteen
Steven
“This place is incredible,” Kai breathed, delight evident on her face as we entered the plant bar. It was already open for happy hour.
They served actual food in addition to appetizers, and I think they had brunch on the weekends. Lots of people were already gathered, eating and drinking with friends.
The entire place was filled with plants, not rainforest or jungle plants like the greenhouse at the zoo or the arboretum, but house plants. I recognized a few types, like monsteras. There were also a bunch of really neat succulents hanging from the ceiling, including ones that looked like little dolphins.
The place was open and airy, with twinkle lights and a big patio. Live music played softly from the corner. Good thing I wore something a little nicer than yesterday.
Ashton had also worn nice shorts and a plaid button-down that looked a lot like yesterday’s, but I knew was different. He’d worn his hiking boots again, but they were classy boots.
I squeezed Kai’s hand. “I figured it would be a great place to take you.”
“Three for happy hour,” Ashton said to the host.
The host led us to a nice table near, but not on the patio. But even on the patio, there was greenery everywhere, even hanging from the light strings.
We took a quick look at the happy hour menu and decided on beers and a bunch of things to share. As we ate, Kai told us more about her classes and life in Hawai’i.
“Your professor saidwhatabout the chickens on campus?” I took another sip of beer. Did I even hear that right?
“There are wild chickens all over campus. They’re everywhere, cats, too. But we were all absolutely astounded when our agriculture professor was like, “Yes please feel free to catch the chickens and take them home and make adobo.”Kai laughed and dipped another chip in the spinach artichoke dip.
“Did anyone do it?” I asked. Wow, that waswild.
“I don’t know,” Kai laughed.
“I’m not sure what adobo is,” Ashton admitted as he grabbed a chicken wing.
“It's a Filipino chicken dish, and delicious. I can make Auntie’s recipe for you sometime,” Kai replied.
That sounded good to me. “I’d like that. I like to eat food.”
“Me too.” Kai nodded.
“You’re Filipino?” I added.
“I’m a whole lot of things, and that’s one of them. So, can you cook?” She took a piece of flatbread pizza.
“Yeah, but it’s Midwestern family dinner type stuff that my grandmother taught me. When not doing hockey things for me, my parents would go off, leaving me in charge of feeding myself, and sometimes my siblings. I do love to grill,” I admitted, grabbing a wing.
“I like to bake. But Icandeep fry a turkey and use a smoker.” Ashton tried the spinach dip.
“Those are very good skills as long as you don’t set the porch on fire.” Kai nodded.
“Too late,” I laughed, remembering how he’d done that one summer. “His chocolate chip cookies are absolutely incredible.” So were his grandma’s. Damn, I’d like some cookies right now. Maybe some cake.
“My favorite. I like to bake too, especially pumpkin bread. I can cook a bunch of things. But my favorite things to make are sushi and poke.” She took another chip.
