“You said you wanted me to help,” I said in a quiet unsteady voice. “This is the best I can do; if you want it your way, then you do it.” He stiffened at my humiliating outburst, then without a word he moved away. Which only made me feel worse. I wanted to fist his shirt and haul him back next to me. I didn’t turn to see what he was doing but I heard the fridge open and close while I frantically chopped cilantro into misshapen smithereens.

“Here.” My entire body sprung to attention. I expected him to offer more critique of my less than stellar sous chef skills, but instead a can of guava LaCroix appeared next to my hand.

“You like those,” he informed me, in an almost too casual tone.

“Thank you,” I said breathlessly. I opened the can and took a sip, and almost wished Theo would keep arguing with me, so I’d be distracted from the warm glowing thing in my chest.

A throat cleared behind me, reminding me we had an audience. When I turned Julia was working on one of those “speaking glances.” I mouthed a semi-annoyed “what” as I gingerly picked up the now severed head of garlic. Instead of answering she tapped something on her phone and seconds later Salome, José and Tariq were fishing their own out.

“Darn, you know what?” Julia cried, and I knew for sure she was up to some bullshit. “I just remembered I need to stop by the store to get some peanut butter for Blue.” I cut my eyes at her for using Rocco’s little niece for her lies.

“You’re not going to stay for the asopao?” Theo didn’t exactly seem mad at the change of plans. And even though I’d asked them to help me out with my awkwardness around my new roommate I was kind of relieved for them to go. There was something happening in this kitchen with Theo, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to find out what it was with an audience.

“Save me some, I’ll come by to get it tomorrow.” Julia was smirking now.

Tariq chimed in next.

“Yeah, man, I need to get my dry cleaning.” He rubbed the back of his neck, awkward as fuck because even though the others could moonlight as con artists, Tariq was way too pure to be effectively deceitful. Soon Salome and José were lying through their teeth too and heading out the door like their asses were on fire.

Theo lowered the heat on the cast iron pot he was using and covered it with the lid then came over to proffer kisses to Salome and Julia and dap to José and Tariq.

“Maybe another time we can have you over for some steaks?”

I was still reeling from the effects of that “we” when Salome responded from the doorway.

“If you include an Ahi tuna steak I’m down.”