Page 110 of Worth the Trip

“Come on. Test kitchen.”

“I thought I earned compensation.”

“You read one book.”

“I performed community service.”

“You enjoyed yourself.”

“Multiple truths can coexist.”

She laughed and pulled me toward the kitchen.

The doors swung shut behind us, and Nolani started gathering ingredients before I fully made it to the prep table. Dark chocolate base. Salted caramel. Roasted almonds. Chopped peanut candy.

I leaned against the counter.

“So this the part where you exploit my sophisticated palate for free labor?”

“Sophisticated?”

“I have range, love.”

“You eat peanut candy during football meetings.”

“Excellence requires fuel.”

“You keep Hershey bars with almonds in your desk.”

I looked at her.

“You remembered.”

Her spoon slowed.

“You mentioned it.”

“Once.”

“So?”

“So you been paying attention too.”

“I pay attention when it’s useful.”

I pushed away from the table. “Useful? Is that what we calling it?”

“Research.”

“I respect research.”

“I know.”

“Especially when the findings support my hypothesis.”

She looked up. “What hypothesis?”

“That you feeling me every bit as hard as I’m feeling you.”