“Thanks!” she said with that enthusiasm she couldn’t seem to contain. “Actually, my mom is spectacular. Raised my sister and me by herself. So, I guess it’s not such a bad thing to make her happy by finally learning how to cook, ha?” She threw a look at her chef, and Rico wondered why she had picked him. Sure, the network wanted everyone to believe that the pairings were surprises, but one of the biggest television stars in the world wasn’t going to leave who she got as a partner to chance.

“Mexican food is my favorite,” she said finally. “My sister’s too, and of course our mother’s. My sister already makes the most amazing tacos.” Then she grinned her first real grin, not the one perfected for the cameras. “We’re a teeny bit, um . . .”

“Competitive?” he supplied. “My guess is everyone here is.”

“—or we wouldn’t be here,” they both said together and burst into laughter.

Her flashbulb smile dimmed again. “But my sister makes me look easygoing. She’s a human rights lawyer. Works for the ACLU. She’s at the border right now, trying to make sure the children separated from their parents are reunited.”

“That’s amazing work to be doing.” Rico hated what was happening in America right now. The inhumanity of it was baffling. He’d been taken in by this country when he’d had nowhere else to go. For that he would always be grateful and loyal. He hadn’t even been a refugee, just an orphan in need of a home. “People who have no empathy for refugees are soulless. No one who’s forced out of their home has any interest in anything but embracing the land that gives them another chance. It’s been proven over and over again, that refugees—and their children—go on to do great things for the countries that become their new homes.”

“I just heard one of the guys who’s running for governor of California say exactly that on the radio this morning. I think he’s the guy my sister is working with on the border crisis.”

“No way! She works with Yash Raje? I’ve been following his campaign and the man is amazing. I can’t believe the bigoted nonsense that piece of shit Cruz has been saying against him.”

“You’re interested in politics,” she said with exaggerated disappointment. “That means you too are going to like my sister more than me.”

“Do you make all your friends choose? Between your sister and you?”

That made her laugh. Unexpectedly, she threw her hands around him and gave him a hug. “Honestly, I’m crazy proud of her,” she said sincerely. “I’m so glad you’re here. This is going to be so much fun!”