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“Doubling up on the skills. I always hear people say they can bake, but they can’t cook, or the other way around. You’re hogging all the talent.”
“Nicky said you’re the same, though.” Jasper nudged me playfully and poured me a glass of water from the pitcher in the fridge. I held it between my palms, stroking my thumbs down the condensation on the glass.
“I guess that’s true. I do a lot of the cooking at home. Unless it’s for a family dinner and then half the time I’m not even allowed in the kitchen.”
“Why is that?”
“Dad says he likes cooking, but I think it secretly stresses him out. He doesn’t like people to be underfoot when he’s working.”
“Who taught you to cook, then?”
“Both my parents did, but Dad liked it better when I was little and he could park me on top of the counter, give me a bowl of things to peel.”
The oven timer went off and the pack went to work setting out the meal they had made. I filled up my plate with eggplant Parm and pork loin, and inhaled the salad. I chatted with Jasper through the rest of the meal while Mom grilled the pack about their hobbies and history. They were all so good about her prodding, and I could see the relief on Nicky’s face.
Dad turned to her. “Nicola, have you heard anything from the police yet?”
“No, not yet. I don’t know if that’s a good or bad sign.”
Hana explained that forensics was due to go in tomorrow and that they should have an update soon.
“You’re sure you don’t want to come home, Patatina?” Mom asked. “We’re more than happy to have you.”
I perked up at the question. Part of me kind of hoped that she would come home so we could hang out, but I probably wouldn’t come home either if I had the chance to live at the pack house.
“I like it here. Plus, Alphonse knows where you live already,” she pointed out.
Sidney and Allie offered their place as well, and the indecision was plain on Nicky’s face.
“If this stuff with Alphonse drags on, I could stay with you,” Nicky said.
The pack’s expressions dropped immediately. If I hadn’t already been certain, that reaction made it clear they would take care of my sister.
After dinner they took us on a tour. This place was even more impressive than I’d realized, sporting a pool, a theater, and a fully outfitted gym. Maybe they would let me house-sit if they went on vacation.
Jasper fell into step next to me, and we resumed talking about his bakery. “Yan and Rita have worked with me for years. You should come by and meet them.”
“Hell yeah, I would love to. What time do you start work?”
“Two in the morning,” Jasper replied.
Switching to a night shift would certainly be a huge adjustment if this ever got past the theoretical and into reality, but the more we talked, the more excitement built in my belly. I was getting tired of the gym, and knowing there was this bright, shiny possibility in the future helped to temper any guilt I had from thinking about leaving one job for another.
Luca:
Do you think I’d be a good baker?
Sunshine:
If the cookies you keep feeding me are any indication then yes
Planning to switch careers?
Luca:
I think so, yeah
Sunshine:
