Page 75 of The Way We Collide

She changed out of her work clothes, and now she’s wearing leggings and a long-sleeved tee. Her long hair is pulled back in a scrunchy, and I decide to open a bottle of wine.

“Do you think Haddy’s constipated?”

She blinks up at me. “Not at all. She had a big poop this afternoon.”

My shoulders drop, and I exhale. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You wanted to know?” Her brow crinkles. “You said, and Iquote, you do football. Not poop. So I just take care of it.” She tosses the manual onto the counter. “I’m used to it.”

“Well, I want to help now.” I pick up the corkscrew and quickly open the wine, pouring us each a glass.

“You really don’t have to. I don’t mind skipping the drama.”

Handing her a glass, I give it a little tap. “There’ll be no drama.”

“If you say so… I’ll let you know next time.” Her eyes narrow, like she doesn’t believe me. “Hand me the sesame seed oil. I got julienne veggies at the store, and I’ll make rice in the rice cooker.”

I prep Haddy’s dinner while Raven whips up the stir fry. Before long, the kitchen smells delicious, and my stomach growls.

“I don’t think anyone has ever used this wok.” She takes out bowls while I set the table.

“I don’t think anyone has ever cooked in this kitchen. At least not as long as I’ve lived here.”

“Seriously?” Her voice goes high as she spoons a serving into my bowl. “Enough?”

“If it’s as good as it smells, I’ll have seconds.”

That makes her smile, and she preps her own bowl, following me to the table, where Haddy sits, waiting for the rest of her dinner.

I refill our wine glasses, and we all sit at the table. “To our very first family dinner.”

“Aw! I should’ve made something fancier.” Raven looks down at the brown rice with bright red, green, and yellow peppers and small white shrimp.

“We’re not too fancy around here.” I take a big bite, sitting back as the savory flavors fill my mouth. “Dang, Pink, this is as good as anything you’d get in a restaurant. How’d you do it?”

“Fish sauce.” She nods, like it’s a secret. “Most amateur cooks don’t remember to add it.”

“I had fish sauce?” I glance at the pantry, thinking about herdragging me in there for a brief makeout session and kind of wishing she’d do it again.

I only go in there when I need snacks. Or when Haddy needs a snack.

“You have all kinds of stuff in that pantry. It’s all very expensive, braggy food, too.”

“What’s braggy food?”

“It’s all labeled like it’s the best food ever made on the whole entire planet and if you eat it, you’ll turn into some kind of superhuman Marvel character who lives forever.”

“Well, hell, why do we order out so much?”

She laughs, shaking her head. “I was just following your lead. I’ll cook more.”

“Only if you want to.” I hop up to grab Haddy’s veggies, studying the jar as I walk back to the table. “Who taught you to cook?”

“I taught myself.” She sits back, taking a sip of wine. “I’d watch the cooking shows on the Food channel, and I just liked it. It was relaxing to me. It’s how I met your sister—she was really into peppers and using them in dishes, and we both took the cooking excursion on that Caribbean cruise.”

“That’s right. Dylan told me about that.” Her expression dims, and I glance back as I give Haddy her bite of creamed spinach. “What’s wrong?”

“I just… nothing.” She seems embarrassed, and she’s not smiling.

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