Page 11 of Babydaddy To Go

This is a dangerous subject, but I answer it honestly.

“My dad taught me. Working together in the kitchen used to be our thing.”

“That sounds nice,” she says wistfully. “I think my mom and I would have loved cooking together. Sometimes my grandparents will make dinner with me, but it’s not very often, and it’s not the same.”

I squeeze her shoulder.

“Your mom is always with you in the kitchen, because she’s always in your mind and your heart.”

Alyssa’s eyes are glassy, but she doesn’t shed a tear.

“Thanks, Nate. Let’s talk about something happier?”

“Love to,” I say. “How about this: the chicken is ready.”

I reluctantly return to the stove and move the chicken from the heat. It looks absolutely perfect. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“The guacamole is ready, too.”

“Perfect! I’m just going to fry up some tortillas quick. Do you want to set everything into bowls?”

Alyssa takes the chicken, guac, cheese, and other fixings to her small dining room table so I have room to work. It’s best to avoid any possible disaster when working with hot oil. In such close proximity, a single tap from Alyssa could knock the pot onto both of us.

It doesn’t take long for me to heat the oil and cook the tortillas. Ideally, I’d have made the dough from scratch, but I didn’t have that kind of time or the resources. We’ll have to settle for fried up pre-made tortillas.

With my plate of freshly warmed tortillas in hand, I join Alyssa at the table. Everything we prepared looks amazing.

I pour us each a glass of wine and hold mine up for a toast.

“To our amazing meal!”

Alyssa hesitates for a second before tapping her glass against mine. She takes the smallest of sips before setting the wine back on the table. She probably doesn’t want to risk any kind of hangover for her first day of school tomorrow. She’s a smart girl, and she’s good in the kitchen. I think she’ll do well at NYACA.

We prepare ourselves tacos and each take a bite. I groan at the delicious combination of flavors. Alyssa’s guacamole is incredible!

“You’re a genius,” I tell her. “Your guac is delicious, and tacos were a great idea.”

Alyssa blushes once again.

“Thanks. The seasonings you put on the chicken are great. Can you give me the recipe?”

“Of course. I’ll text it to you.”

For a few beats, we’re both silent. I want to get to know Alyssa more, so I decide to shift the conversation to something other than food.

“Do you like to travel?”

She wipes her face with a napkin.

“I do, but I don’t do it often. My grandparents and I used to visit somewhere new every summer, but we stopped when I was a junior in high school. They’re getting too old to be traveling all the time.”

“What was your favorite place you ever visited?”

“I loved Nashville. The music, the food, the people. Everything about it was amazing. I want to get back there someday. I’ve only ever been once.”

I nod.

“Nashville is amazing.”