Page 118 of The Way We Touch

She steps over and leans in to watch as I slice off a long sliver. “Trinidad Scorpion.”

Her eyes widen. “What’s the warning tonight?”

“This one’s wild.” I carefully chop the sliver into tiny pieces before transferring a teaspoon into the bowl of guacamole. “If you took a bite of this raw, you’d have like five seconds of happy thoughts before your whole mouth went numb, then you’d start sweating and hiccuping uncontrollably.”

“Hiccuping!” Craig yells from where he’s standing beside Thomas now. “Put that thing in the freezer before Logan gets back and eats it.”

“I’m pretty sure he knows better than to eat anything in this kitchen without asking.” I walk over to start another batch of the scorpion guacamole. “I think the avocado oil will make it a little less potent, but we’ve got to warn people just because they don’t feel it right away, don’t eat more too fast. Put out plenty of ice cream for them and honey. A teaspoon of honey will neutralize it.”

“Gotcha.” Allie nods.

“It’s an inferno.” Craig nods, pulling out his phone. “I’ve got just the song for it.”

“What’s this I heard about your ballet star having a meltdown after rehearsals this afternoon?” Allie leans her hip against the table, crossing her arms.

“How did you hear about that?” My eyebrow arches, and I know. “Austin?”

“He was worried about her.” She shrugs. “I think he’s crushing hard, but Mia is very focused on dance schools.”

“She’s a senior.” I wrinkle my nose, returning to the guacamole.

“Is she okay?”

“Yeah, imposter syndrome is a bitch, but I hope I talked her off the ledge. She’s so talented.” I glance up at my friend. “Austin’s actually pretty good himself. He’s strong from his football workouts, and he’s flexible. Who knew football and ballet went together so well?”

“Anybody who knew your family,” Thomas calls from where he’s mixing the ground beef.

“Anybody who knew our family, what?” That loud, boisterous voice makes my heart jump… seconds before I’m swept off my feet and over a broad shoulder.

“Garrett!” I squeal, holding the hot pepper by its stem and away from my face. “What are you doing here?”

Allie’s eyes are wide, and she grabs a bowl, running to hold it out for me to pass her the killer fruit.

“Surprise!” Logan says with a laugh. “I managed to get this idiot to fly home for the holiday.”

Garrett sits me on top of the metal table. “What else was I going to do? All my people are down here now.”

“I’m so glad you’re home.” Joy surges in my chest, and I’m smiling so hard my cheeks ache. Just as fast, I point at him. “Don’t touch anything! I’m making guacamole with Trinidad Scorpion pepper, and it won’t just melt your face off?—”

“Uncontrollable hiccups,” Craig says as he walks past in a blond wig and Santa hat.

“Craig, my man!” Garrett grabs him around the waist, lifting him off the ground in a hug.

“Put me down, Beast!”

“Uncle Grizzlaaay!” That little voice makes him laugh, and he drops Craig before taking a knee.

Kimmie Joy runs straight to him, and he throws her into the air. “How’s my little Peanut doing?”

“I’m a mouse!” she squeals, and he swings her around onto his back.

“A mouse?”

“Dylan has all the kids in The Nutcracker.” Jack enters the room, patting his brother on the back before shaking his hand. “She convinced Mrs. Laverne to be the lady with the big skirt, and all the kindergarteners are mice.”

“You put the principal in the show?” Garrett cocks a brow at me.

“She asked me to teach ballet.” I shrug. “It was the least I could do!”

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