Page 32 of Force Play

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Lucia strides over to the island, inhaling the scent as she does. “I had no idea you could cook.”

I shrug. “Started learning as a kid. My mom taught me. I really only know how to cook Korean food.”

“It smells good,” she says before walking over to the pantry and grabbing a granola bar.

“I didn’t cook this for just myself,” I admit. “There’s enough for both of us.”

Lucia looks at me in surprise. “You cooked for me?”

“Not for you,” I reply quickly. “I just felt like cooking. I wasn’t going to be rude and only cook for myself when I have a roommate. You’re welcome to try some.”

She smiles softly before replacing her granola bar and taking a seat at the kitchen island. “Thank you, Ari.”

I push her plate toward her and grab a fork and a set of chopsticks from the drawer. She opts for the chopsticks as I grab my own and take a bite.

Once Lucia brings her chopsticks to her mouth and eats, her eyes widen as she covers her mouth. “Shit, that’s spicy. Why is it so spicy?”

I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and slide it across the countertop to her. “Gochujang.”

“What the hell is that?” she pants, downing half of her water in one gulp.

“Red pepper paste. You’re Spanish, though, so I kinda assumed you liked spicy foods.”

“Yes, Spanish,” she states, breathing less heavily now. “Not Mexican. Spaniards don’t eat much spicy food. I may have grown up in San Diego, but I ate my parents’ cooking far more than I ate any Mexican food.”

“Sorry,” I say sheepishly, rubbing the back of my neck. “I didn’t realize that.”

“It’s fine,” Lucia shrugs. “It’s really good, but I think I’ll need about a gallon of water before I can finish it.”

I throw my head back and laugh heartily. “Then you’re in luck because we have plenty of water, Spitfire.”

“I might actually start spitting fire soon,” she jokes, and it only causes me to laugh harder.

Shit, I didn’t realize Lucia could be funny.

I also didn’t realize I could make her smile.

It’s a small step, but it does show me that we could get along if we tried.

Maybe her living here doesn’t have to be so bad after all.

eleven

Lucia

“FelizNavidad!”Ichimefrom my perch on the kitchen island, mustering as much cheeriness as I can.

Things between Ari and me have been less awkward for the past few days, but we’re still not entirely comfortable around each other. But to his credit, he’s trying hard to keep things amicable between us. I owe him that same respect in return.

“Meri Keuriseumaseu,”he smirks, pouring himself a cup of coffee.

I let out an exasperated sigh. “I’m going to assume that’s Korean for Merry Christmas.”

“Yes,” he chuckles.

“Is it weird that I didn’t realize you spoke Korean?”

Ari stares at me, dumbfounded. “I literally lived in South Korea until I was ten. I’m fluent.”