Chapter 8
Noah watched with narrowed eyes as Caitlyn grabbed Heath’s arm. What was going on between them? The man slipped her a small bag. They were standing a bit too close to each other for Noah’s liking. Was he flirting with her? Not that Noah should care.
“I think we should add bacon,” Max said.
“What is it with guys and bacon?” Zoe asked.
“Now don’t you be going sexist. ‘Tis supposed to be a team-building activity, so no insults. Besides, I know plenty of girls who like a bit of bacon.” Noah winked at her.
Zoe peered at a bin labeled Bacon. “I’ll bet it’s made from soy. That’s not so bad.”
“Are you a vegetarian?” Max asked.
“No.” Zoe sounded defensive. “Bacon’s just not one of my favorite flavors. But if you two want it...”
“Brilliant.” Noah turned to Max. “Will you be wanting to put maple flavoring in too?”
“No. Rum.” Max pointed to a dispenser at the far end. “It’s just imitation rum, so we won’t be accused of drinking on the job. One of my favorite flavors when I was a kid was rum raisin.”
“Oh, this is sounding better.” Zoe nodded.
“If you’re doing rum flavoring, I’m game. Not Guinness, but ‘twill do,” Noah said. “Ah, to have a bite of Murphy’s ice cream. Have you ever had this rum-bacon flavor before, Max?”
The man nodded and rubbed his stomach.
“‘Tis rum-bacon, then.” Noah could only hope Max knew the right amount to add.
The entire process went much faster than he’d expected. The sign had said it only took eight minutes for the ice cream to freeze, but he hadn’t believed it. Their server came over to check on them and provided bowls and spoons.
Once they pulled their tables together and took their seats, Noah began scooping out his team’s creation while Caitlyn did the same with hers. He kept trying to identify the little bits of something mixed in the chocolate, but he couldn’t tell what it was.
She pulled out her phone and typed in some notes about the activity as she slowly sank into her chair.
She wasn’t paying attention to how close she was to where Noah sat and ended up partly on his left leg.
Startled, she nearly slid off. Noah had to wrap his arm around her waist to keep her from sliding to the floor.
The color that flooded her cheeks was much better than the pale, washed-out look she usually had now.
It reminded him again of the rosy cheeks and long, silky brunette hair she’d had when they’d first met.
They’d danced together when they’d gone with a larger group to a university dance.
The memory of holding her that night made the tingle running up his arm intensify.
“I’m so sorry,” Caitlyn gasped. She jumped up and shifted in her chair, not looking at him. “I was taking notes.”
“Let’s eat this before it melts.” Noah couldn’t shake the memory of his hand on her waist. She hadn’t been heavy when they’d danced two years ago, but he hadn’t been able to feel her ribs then. What could cause a girl to lose so much weight? Did she have an eating disorder?
The taste of rum flowed over his taste buds, followed by bacon. The surprising combination of flavors made him forget what he’d been thinking. He smacked his tongue inside his mouth.
“See?” Max grinned and took another bite of his.
“What do you think?” Zoe asked, nodding her head. “I could like bacon more if it always had rum flavoring.”
“Aye. ‘Tis growing on me.” Noah glanced at Caitlyn and her team.
She hadn’t tasted hers, but both Heath and Finn had already finished their servings. He pushed his team’s container their way and reached for hers.
“Rum and bacon? This is a great idea.” Heath exclaimed after taking a bite. “So many people use maple flavoring with bacon that it’s almost cliché. I need to tell my sister. This would be an exceptional addition to our summer events. Now you have to guess what ours is.”
Max was the first one to take a bite. “Jalapenos? I like it!”
Caitlyn laughed. “This has to be the most eclectic selection of flavors I’ve ever heard of. Leave it to the interns of REKD to be so creative.” She sampled the rum and bacon flavored one first. Even before the chemo, her stomach hadn’t tolerated spicy foods very well. She hadn’t tried any since.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she slid the spoonful of ice cream into her mouth. She’d always been fond of rum raisin, so she found the familiar taste of the rum pleasing. The rum and bacon flavors did blend nicely, but it wasn’t something she would ever choose.
“Well?” Max asked.
Caitlyn popped open her eyes, surprised to find everybody watching her. She shrugged.
“And what are you meaning by that?” Noah asked.
She took another bite to see if she’d like it any better, but it was still just okay. “It means it’s not bad.”
“Not bad?” Heath cried.
“Well, I’m not really the target for anything with bacon. It’s something I have in common with Zoe. It’s not our fave. Sorry.”
Everyone started talking at once, arguing about the virtues or the health hazards of eating bacon. It was a lighthearted debate, like the book discussion had been, and they ate as they talked. Caitlyn would call the activity a success.
“Are you not going to try your own team’s submission?” Noah asked, indicating the mixer with the chocolate ice cream.
“Have you tried it?” she asked.
“Not yet. I’m not that keen for jalapenos.”
“I’ve never had any because I don’t do spicy hot foods. Finn seems to like them well enough.”
“Oh, aye.” Noah chuckled. “He’s always been one to go after foods with a bite. But you haven’t answered my question. Will you be trying your own team’s creation?”
“I tried your team’s.”
“Aye and said ‘twasn’t bad. But yours?”
“Have you tasted it?”
“I’ve been waiting for you.” Noah pulled the container between the two of them. “Let’s be doing it together.”
Caitlyn did a mental count of how many antacids she had back at the condo. “All right.”
“Caitie’s going to try the jalapeno chocolate with me.”
Her heart gave a little twitch at the nickname. He hadn’t used it since just before he’d ghosted her. What did it mean that he was using it again? Could she handle it if he decided not to hate her anymore?
Everyone had turned their attention to her and Noah. She gave a mental groan but picked up a new spoon and scraped it along the sides of the mixer. The others must have liked it because there wasn’t a great deal left. Good. Noah did the same before holding it up, looking at her expectantly.
“Together,” she said.
“Aye. Together.”
Caitlyn held her breath.
“Isn’t the point to taste it?” Zoe asked with a giggle. “Breathe, girl, breathe.”
Scowling at her friend, Caitlyn slid the spoonful into her mouth.
She braced herself for the heat and, at first, was pleasantly surprised.
Surprised enough that she swallowed it. She took another bite.
Maybe the ice cream helped to neutralize the worst of the heat from the peppers.
It still came, but slowly and not as intensely as she’d expected.
“And?” Heath asked.
“Not as bad as I thought.” The inside of her mouth had started to tingle a little. Was it supposed to do that?
“Well, that’s no ringing endorsement,” he said, disappointed.
“I’m sorry.” Caitlyn shrugged.
“If you had to choose one over the other, which would it be?” Max asked.
“I have a sensitive stomach, so I’m probably not the best person to ask about exotic foods,” Caitlyn said. “I will say I’m glad I tried them both. My father will be proud of me for being more adventurous.”
“Puts me in mind of a question everyone should answer,” Noah said with a grin. “For Caitie, here, eating jalapenos and chocolate ice cream together is an adventure. What’s an adventure for you, Zoe?”
“Who, me?” she asked, her eyes going round. “I’m the least adventurous person in the world.”
“Then name something that would be adventurous for you,” Max suggested, his tone kind.
That turned into a discussion of what made up an adventure, which led to reminiscing. Despite a growing headache, and the tingling in her tongue that had spread to her lips, Caitlyn was enjoying herself. And considering how much everyone was laughing, they were too.
She pulled out her phone and typed in some ideas for using the experience again. Would they be able to duplicate it by buying ice cream makers to use in the penthouse? Or were the lighthearted interactions enhanced by being out of the penthouse? They would have to evaluate it later.
Whatever it was, they had turned the day’s activity from a failure to a success.