Page 24 of Accidental Wedding Crasher
“Well, try it with some pesto,” Mia suggested, holding out the blender. “Maybe that’ll help.”
Ellen scooped a piece of linguine through the sauce and popped it into her mouth.
“That’ll do. Thanks, Mia.”
Evan had to do a double-take. Was she really getting along with his family? And was his mom really listening to her? Just then, Mia looked up and spotted him. She hurried over, and he saw tomato sauce on her apron and a streak of flour on her forehead. She was grinning.
“Evan, you made it!”
“I had a call, and?—”
“Well, you’re here now.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him through the kitchen to her workstation. “You have to try what we’ve made!”
The song ended, and everyone paused to applaud Tabitha.
“Thank you, thank you,” she said as she bowed.
“I never knew you could sing,” Arther said, beckoning her over.
“You never asked.” Tabitha winked and sauntered back to her own workstation. Evan felt like he’d stepped into a parallel universe. He hadn’t known she could sing, either.
“What did you do to them?” he whispered to Mia as she scooped up a spoonful of pesto and handed it to him by the handle. Their fingers brushed, and he tried to ignore the tingling sensation from the small contact.
She shrugged, grinning. “Some secrets need to stay secret. But I will say that the wine helped. A lot. Now, try this.”
Evan put the spoon into his mouth and nodded approvingly. The pesto was fresh, fragrant, and just the right amount of cheesy.
“Delicious.”
“I helped make it,” Mia said with a grin.
“Helpedbeing the operative word,” Luka added, laughing.
“Hey, I wassuperhelpful.” Mia put her hands on her hips, her tone mock-serious.
“Sure, you were. ThoughIwas the real MVP of the cooking class.” Luka winked, and she leaned across the counter to punch his arm. “Try the sauce now, Bro.”
“This is our real masterpiece,” Sarah put in. “I never knew I could be so great at cooking.” She flicked her hair, making everyone laugh.
“Well, you were definitely here when the cookinghappened,” Mia teased.
“You’reone to talk!” Sarah laughed. Luka held out a spoonful of the tomato sauce, which Evan tried. He nodded.
“That’s great, too.”
“Too right it is.” Luka put his arm around Sarah. “Now, no more working, little bro. You have to come to the next event.”
“You really do,” Mia put in. Evan looked between their enthusiastic faces, and any possibility of getting something done today drifted away.
“What is it?” he asked grudgingly.
“Dinner!” Sarah said.
“Okay, I think I can make time for that,” Evan said, smiling. He did have to eat, anyway.
“But first, you have to make up for not being here during most of the cooking part,” Mia said.
“What do you want me to do?”
