Page 13 of Pride High 2: Orange

Soon she was in the back seat, Omar and Mindy to either side of her. “What’s in the Tupperware?” Silvia asked her boyfriend. He was gripping the square container on his lap, only letting go with one hand to seek hers out.

“You’ll see,” Omar replied. “Just don’t order anything, okay?”

“And if you don’t want it,” Anthony said, turning around in the front seat, “let me know.”

“Okay,” she replied, none the wiser.

“We should do a potluck next year,” Ricky said. “I tried one of the deviled eggs. They’re really good!”

“Youwhat?” Anthony demanded.

“Was I not supposed to?” Ricky asked. “There were six. One for each of us, I thought. So while we were waiting for—”

“How long until it kicks in?” Cameron asked, looking over in concern.

Anthony shook his head. “There’s no telling.”

“What’s going on?” Ricky asked. “You guys are freaking me out!”

Omar guffawed. “Remember that scene inAlienwhen the facehugger exploded out of the dude’s stomach?”

“Don’t ruin the surprise,” Anthony said before turning to Ricky. “Here’s the good news: If you want your parents to give you more space, I think we’ve found a solution.”

Silvia remembered the time that her mother had made Hugo eat all the broccoli on his plate and began laughing.

They cruised around, searching for somewhere to eat. All of their favorites were closed, so they drove farther out of town, settling on a soulless fast-food chain. They claimed one corner of the dining area, the ashen-faced employees not caring that so few of them bought anything. Anthony ordered fries. Mindy finally got her shake. Ricky opted for the kids’ meal and refused to react when the others teased him. Especially when he started rolling the included toy around.

“What?” he said. “It’s fromTiny Toons. I love that show!”

Omar seemed to be waiting for the right time to reveal what was in the Tupperware he continued to guard. When the others began talking about an upcoming movie, he gestured for her to join him at a nearby table.

“I hope you like this,” he said after they sat across from each other. Omar took off the lid and pushed the container toward her. “My grandma made it.”

“Wow,” Silvia said when seeing the contents. “That’s beautiful!” The scent made her mouth water. “Are those real flower petals?”

“Yeah,” Omar said sheepishly. “Kind of weird, I know, but you can eat them.”

“Really?” Silvia asked, not hiding her delight.

“Yeah! Go ahead!”

Omar passed her a plastic fork, which seemed much too commonplace for such a fine delicacy. Especially when the first bite melted in her mouth. She tasted a hint of almond, reminding her of the Mexican wedding cookies her mom sometimes baked, but also a hint of citrus and an almost perfume-like flavor that might come from the rose petals, she wasn’t sure. All she knew was that she wanted more. Omar’s eyes were shining as Silvia shamelessly ate three more bites.

“Mmm!” she said after swallowing. “Wow! I know people joke that food can be as good as sex…”

“Not that either of us would know,” Omar murmured, “but yeah. It’s hard to imagine sex being better than that.”

Silvia was about to take another bite when she glanced over at the others. Anthony was watching them but quickly looked away. “I should share this with them,” she said.

Omar shook his head. “It’s just for you.” He smiled bashfully before adding, “It’s Persian love cake. That’s why.”

That was sweet! Both figuratively and literally. “Doyouwant a bite?” she asked.

“Nah. I already had like three pieces earlier.”

“At least I won’t taste like turkey anymore,” Silvia teased.

Omar grinned. “Do you want me to check?”