Chapter 18
Lizzie
“Okay, now can I get details pleaseeeeee?” Gabby’s voice drags the last syllable like I owe her an explanation. She’s desperate, practically vibrating with curiosity, and I can’t hide my grin.
I fish the chocolate sprinkles out of the cupboard and set them on the counter.
“I knew you wouldn’t let me off the hook, that’s for sure,” I say, glancing over my shoulder at her as I grab some butter and set it next to the sprinkles.
“You couldn’t expect me to,” she says, looking at me like even thinking about withholding information should be illegal.
I sigh. “I know. And honestly… if the tables were turned, I’d do the exact same thing to you.”
Gabby grabs the cool brigadeiro mixture from the fridge while I grab two dessert spoons and a teaspoon. She sets the bowl in front of us, and I head to the cupboard to grab two small plates.
I head to the sink so I can wash my hands, letting the warm water and soap slip over me, carrying away any lingering distraction. My fingers tingle from the heat and water, and yet, somehow, my mind keeps flicking back to Nate, to the way he smiled yesterday.
Gabby lines up the mini cupcake liners—tiny, perfect vessels for chocolatey goodness.
I spread sprinkles across one plate, ready to coat the chocolate.
A dab of butter on my palm, rubbed between my hands until it’s slick and gleaming.
I scoop up a spoonful of brigadeiro, pressing it into a ball, and roll it in the sprinkles until it’s coated.
Into a liner it goes. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
“Yesterday was incredible,” I murmur with a dreamy sigh, rolling another chocolate ball. “Hours together… just talking, laughing… I even had to pray myself to sleep last night.” I catch a whiff of chocolate and butter, warm and sweet, making my mouth water.
Gabby looks up, eyebrows raised, spinning her own ball with delicate care. “So… what does that mean?”
I pause, letting the chocolate rest in my fingers.
The faint sound of Nate’s voice—the depth, the timbre—carrying from the other room makes my heart give a tiny jump.
“It means I need to talk to him. Until then… I don’t have a full answer.
Not really.” My shrug feels small, though inside I feel electricity humming along my spine.
I prayed. I thought. I decided… but none of it matters until I hear him.
I may have prayed about it last night, and I may have made a decision… but none of it matters if I haven’t spoken to Nate about it yet. I need to know his thoughts on it first.
Gabby exhales, long and hopeful, clearly wishing for more.
“I promise,” I say, placing a perfect ball into its liner, “I’ll tell you everything after I talk to him. I’m hoping to chat today.”
She pouts just a little, but she’s willing to let it slide. “I don’t know what the future looks like for you two… but I’d love to have you home.”
I narrow my eyes at her, stifling a laugh. “Are you trying to guilt-trip me into staying?”
Her gaze softens. “No… I just… miss you when you’re gone. The thought of spending more time with you before life pulls us in a million directions—that would be a dream.”
I can’t resist the little puppy-dog expression she throws at me, completely unaware of the effect it has. I close the gap, arms around her neck, careful not to get butter or sprinkles in her hair.
“I love you, sis. Always want to be around you. Let’s see how this goes today with Nate.”
She hugs me back, squeezing tight around my waist.
“Fine, fine,” she says, raising a hand in mock surrender. “But the record should state I know what the right decision is.”
I chuckle. “Yes, yes, I know.” I pause, picking up my spoon. “Now… why don’t we sneak a little brigadeiro?” My mischievous eyes meet hers, and her grin blooms like sunlight.
We dig in, chocolate melting across our tongues. “Everything feels better with a brigadeiro in your mouth,” Gabby declares, a small moan of delight punctuating her words.
“I have to hand it to you, sis… yours are amazing,” I say between bites. Each chocolate ball is sticky, rich, and addictive.
These little chocolate balls are addictive.
“I’ve perfected them while you were gone,” she shrugs, casual.
“Anything else I’m missing out on?” The thought of her baking makes my mouth water.
“Ah, this and that.” She shoots me a playful look.
“Oh, come on,” I whine, matching her mock indignation.
“Ah, ah, ah,” she warns, finger wagging. “Once I get the full story on Nate, then we can talk about what else you’re missing.”
I roll my eyes, laughing. “Fine. Let’s finish these before we eat them all ourselves.”
“I think I prefer we consume them entirely,” she says with a gleam. “Means more for us.”
“Always room for more bakes,” I tease, rolling another ball in the sprinkles.
“Indeed.” She smiles, and together we lose ourselves in the rhythm: roll, sprinkle, liner, repeat.
Even with the playful chatter, I can’t help sneaking glances toward the other room, imagining Nate just steps away.
The hum of the refrigerator, the faint clink of silverware—every ordinary sound is layered with possibility.
The conversation we’ll have later feels alive, charged, and I feel it thrumming in my chest.
I don’t know exactly how it will go with Nate later, but none of the nerves linger here, in this kitchen. Hanging out with my sister, laughing, sneaking bites of chocolate… it’s a perfect pause. I trust that what God placed on my heart will line up with what He’s placed on his.