“That’s great.” He came close enough to brush his fingers over mine.
Helmut noticed. He pointed a butter knife at Jasper. “Wash your hands.”
“I’m not eating.”
“You’re in my kitchen. You need to wash your hands.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jasper moved to the sink, shooting me a look that made me press my lips together to keep from laughing.
“You want a sandwich?” Helmut asked him.
“What kind?”
“Vegetarian.”
“What’s on it?”
“Cheese, tomato, and avocado.”
“No meat?”
Helmut glared at him. “Do you know what vegetarian means?”
“I do. I was just checking to make sure you do too.”
Helmut shook his head and went back to making sandwiches.
Jasper dried his hands and leaned beside me. “You okay?”
“I think I’m getting there.”
“You need anything?” The concern in his hazel eyes almost undid me.
“No. This is exactly what I need.”
Helmut cleared his throat.
Jasper stepped away. “What can I do?”
“Make pineapple milkshakes.”
“Is that her favorite?” Jasper shot me a glance.
Helmut answered. “It was Estelle’s.”
“Then I’d like to try one,” I said.
While they worked, they argued about how much milk belonged in a milkshake. Helmut accused Jasper of making soup. Jasper said it had to be drinkable or it would just be ice cream.
I laughed until my stomach hurt.
A few minutes later, Helmut set a grilled sandwich in front of me. It had been cut into uneven triangles, with melted cheese and tomato spilling from the sides.
“It’s not pretty but I expect it’s edible,” he said.
“It looks perfect.”
