“But not on the brisket! I like that the way you do it better,” Maia said.
“No, not a thing on the brisket but my seasoning. The sauce is for the chicken and the ribs.”
“Well, on that note, I’m going to take a shower and get dressed,” Cristie said. “Thank you for breakfast, and bringing me decent coffee, Remi.”
“My pleasure,” Remi said.
“It’s not even seven yet. You have time,” Maia said.
“Kind of,” Cristie said. “Everybody’s going to be here. Even Sebastian, Cruz, and Clay came in from school. I’d rather go ahead and take a shower now, then help you get ready rather than rushing later.”
“That’s fine. I already have the red beans started. I’m going to have a cup of coffee and wait for your dad and Remi to vacate my kitchen with their sauce concoction before I go any further. But then we’ll make dirty rice, macaroni salad, and some kind of potatoes.”
‘What about desserts?” Cristie asked.
“I thought we’d make a couple of chocolate fudge sheet cakes, and I’ve got some vanilla ice cream in the freezer. I’ve got a frozen peach cobbler from the last time I made it. I think I’ll thaw that out, too,” Maia said.
“I’ll be back as soon as I make myself boo tee ful,” Cristie said, saying the word beautiful playfully.
“You’re already beautiful. I don’t ever think I’ve seen you look more beautiful,” Remi said, forgetting where he was, and what situation he and Cristie were in at the moment.
Cristie’s head snapped in his direction and it was evident she was trying to determine if he’d made a back-handed comment or not.
Her glare made him realize what he’d said, and he looked around the room as Riley and Maia both waited to see how he’d dig himself out of what he’d just said to make her understand he wasn’t insulting her appearance in any way.
“Um, that didn’t sound right. Let me try again,” he said.
“Please!” Cristie snapped.
Remi nodded. “When you opened the door you were still groggy from sleep. Your face was a little pinked, and your eyes were puffy. Your hair was, and is, a little crazy and sticking up in some places while falling out of your ponytail holder in others. You’re wearing your favorite bathrobe, and you’re dressed casually in what I can only assume is some of your favorite sleeping clothes. You looked all soft and warm and just, in the moment. No presenting yourself in a certain way, just you. And I just thought, wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen more simple, pure, natural beauty in my life. So effortless.”
Cristie’s expression had gone from one of accusation, to a soft, almost vulnerable one.
Riley and Maia exchanged a knowing look.
Cristie’s hand came up to rest at her throat, right at her collarbone, as she gazed at Remi. “I don’t know what to say, Remi. I’ve never gotten a compliment like that. Thank you,” she said. Her voice soft and clearly conveying her surprise.
“You’re welcome.”
“I’ll, uh… I’ll see you a little later.”
Remi smiled and nodded.
She started out of the kitchen, running her hand over her hair as she tugged her bathrobe into place. When she reached the foot of the staircase near the front door, she threw a quick, thoughtful look back toward the kitchen.
Her father was standing at the cabinets he’d installed on that side of the kitchen digging for whatever pots or pans he was looking for, and noticed her looking back toward the kitchen, though he gave no indication of it.
When Cristie hurried up the stairs, Riley grabbed two shallow roasting pans in one hand, then carried them over to the counter beside the stove. He paused briefly beside Remi, holding his hand up in the air, waiting for a high-five.
Remi slapped his hand, somewhat confused.
“Excellent answer, Remi. Excellent answer. Score one for you.”
“I wasn’t looking to score points, though,” Remi objected.
“That’s what makes it so perfect. You honestly saw her that way, and she knows you’re being truthful. Good for you.”
“She’s stunning. How could anybody ever think she’s not. And that’s a part of her, a side of her, that not everyone gets the opportunity to see,” Remi said.
