Page 26 of It Had to be You

Alexander had never been one of those people that liked to try out a lot of new foods, so the

fact that he’d been so eager to go with Tatum really told him a lot about how much he was starting to care for her. They started with pasteles and when she had explained, "I’ve heard it’s just like tamales."

That’s when he had to explain, "I’ve never had one of those either."

That led to a tasting of each of the pasteles they had for sale, half and half with a healthy

number of napkins between them both.

It was an eye-opening discovery for him. Not just the taste of the food, but also the way

she seemed to like to feed him. And while he had never thought that he’d enjoy such a thing, he had to admit that the moments when her fingers brushed against his lips were what he enjoyed the most. It wasn’t about passion building between them. Instead it was more like developing a level of intimacy between them. Where touch had a way of warming his heart and opening his eyes.

By the time they’d reached the end of one aisle of merchants and food stalls, he’d talked her into accepting a carved hair pinand she’d managed to get him to eat some rellenos de papa. He’d balked at first because the word he associated with rellenos was chili and strangely enough, he wasn’t a fan of heat in his food.

After she’d eaten a couple of the fried and stuffed bite-sized balls, and assured him there

wasn’t any undue heat, he was ready to try some.

And ended up eating the rest of their order before he realized what he’d done.

"You really should broaden your food experience."

He saw the pointed look and shrugged. "Probably, but I think I get into habits-"

"Ruts," she suggested, and he had to agree.

"I get into ruts and as long as it works, I don’t see much reason to change it."

"Maybe that’s why you like me," she grinned, "I’m not only waving the food under your nose, I almost shove it into your mouth."

He felt his cheeks warm and she dissolved into laughter.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that."

Alexander looked down into the little empty cardboard container in his hands. "I certainly eat more than my share."

She leaned closer and bumped his arm with her shoulder. "I’m not complaining. You really liked

them."

"I did."

"And now it’s time for the next dish."

"Next one?"

Tatum smiled at him. "I’m trying to fit a week into two days here on the island." She peered through the crowd. "I see some tables and chairs."

He followed the line of her arm and nodded. "I see them."

"Go and grab it for us, please. I’m going to get a couple of things and bring them over."

Alexander reached for his wallet and she groaned.

"I can handle a few dishes, Mr. Wen. Now, please go and get those seats before we have to sit on the ground."

She started away, but he gently caught her arm. With a smile she looked up at him. "What?"

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