Page 67 of Culinary Chaos

Angelica scoffed. “Whatever would make you think that? I take four weeks every year.”

“Because you’re mandated,” Hope quickly responded.

“Still a vacation.”

Hope chuckled, shaking her head. “How’s your meal?”

Angelica stared down at it, finding that she’d eaten at least half of the food on her plate. She hadn’t even been looking at what she was eating until then. She paused, narrowing her gaze down at something sitting right on the edge of the plate itself, something red. “Is this a pepper?”

“Yeah. I sautéed them lightly in oil and salt just to crisp them up a bit before adding them into the rice.”

Angelica put her fork down, moving her tongue around her mouth and then against the inside of her lips. There it was. The numb tingling that she was used to feeling any time she ate a pepper of any kind. She breathed slowly, easing the racing in her heart as she picked up the water again. Maybe if she had more of that, then it’d wash the pepper from her lips.

But her stomach was already churning.

“What’s wrong?” Hope asked, a line creasing in the center of her forehead.

“It’s nothing.” Angelica closed her eyes and shook her head.

“You don’t like peppers?” Hope pushed again, clearly wanting some kind of answer.

“I like them.” Angelica took another large sip of water. She could already feel it in her lungs, and she had to slow the panic from making it even harder to breathe than it was about to become.

“You stopped eating when you noticed them.” Hope was still frowning, like she’d done something wrong.

“I’m fine.” Angelica slid the chair back. “Are we done here?”

“Uh…” Hope glanced at the plates of food still on the tray. “No?”

“I need to be done.” Angelica stood up and snagged her iPad. She had to get back to her room. She stepped off the gazebo and stopped short at Hope’s hand on her arm. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not,” Hope said, confusion riddling her face. “What did I do?”

Angelica dashed her tongue across her lips out of habit and then scolded herself for doing that. She really needed to get back to her room and get some medicine in her system. “I like bell peppers, Hope. It’s fine.”

“It’s notfine.Tell me what I did.”

“Youdidn’t do anything.” Angelica moved to step away, but she stopped. Looking deep into Hope’s eyes, she stilled. “I’m allergic to peppers.”

“What?” Hope seemed flabbergasted now. “Are you serious?”

“Why would I lie about that?”

“No. I just…” Hope stopped talking. “That’s not a common allergy.”

“No, it’s not. I need to get some medicine.” Angelica pointed toward the hotel. Hope still had a tight grip on her arm, holding her in place. As much as Angelica needed her to let go so she could leave, she didn’t want Hope to release her.

This had been so nice.

“Hope?” Angelica asked, trying to snap whatever trance Hope was in.

“Yeah. Right.” Hope let go of her arm. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It’s not a big deal.” Angelica kept her breathing slow and even. “But I need to get some medicine before it gets worse.”

“What else are you allergic to?” Hope asked firmly.

Angelica paused, not sure if she wanted to share that information now. It’d only make Hope feel worse, but it would add in a whole explanation that Hope wasn’t expecting. She pursed her lips before giving in. “Tomatoes.”