Taste the Heat

by Rachel Harris

  She reached her hand into the gleaming silver bowl and pinched off another portion of flavorful meat, tuning out the nagging voice that warned an affair with Jason wouldn’t be enough. That at the end of the summer, regardless of their agreement, she’d be tempted to stay, to ask him for more. She nudged the radio with her elbow, hoping the peppy Carrie Underwood song admonishing a good girl would drown out the decidedly unhelpful thoughts.

  Besides, she’d heard Jason’s story. Regardless of what her long-buried, inner-romantic may lead her to want later, the man had battle scars of his own. He wasn’t looking for a long-term relationship. And he knew she was jetting back to Vegas in a few months. So really, this was the closest thing to a safe scenario she could get. And the icing on the cake was that the man in question was Jason—the epitome of every childhood fantasy she’d ever had. If Colby didn’t take advantage of this opportunity, she’d kick herself for the rest of her lonely, pathetic, celibate life. As it was now, she had a pretty decent hunch she was headed toward life as the eccentric cat lady, known by the neighborhood kids for her delicious hot and spicy gumbo. Gumbo she couldn’t even bring herself to eat.

  The only real question left in the equation was Emma. Colby wasn’t stupid, or blind. She saw the way the girl watched her, saw the smiles Emma thought she hid as she blatantly played Cupid between her father and Colby. The preteen could give Sherry a run for her matchmaking dollars. And Colby totally got it. Jason was doing an amazing job, but it was natural for the girl to want a woman, a mother in her life—but that wasn’t a role meant for her. She didn’t know the first thing about raising kids, and she had no plans of changing that.

  Nope, the way Colby saw it, she could only agree to a casual fling with Jason on the condition that from here on out, they kept their relationship completely platonic in front of Emma. No more camping trips or cozy dinners with just the three of them. She couldn’t stomach the young girl getting her hopes up, or being the reason she was hurt again.

  With a decisive nod, Colby set the last rolled meatball on the tray. Prep time always cleared her head. She covered the platter with plastic wrap and shoved it into the walk in. Then, after making sure Rhonda had everything she needed for the new menu items, she whipped off her gloves and tossed the latex in the trash. Combing through her bag, she found her favorite lotion and squirted two dollops into her cupped hands, thinking again she needed to buy stock in the stuff. One of the drawbacks of wearing gloves all day and constantly plunging your hands into hot water was skin that occasionally felt as luxurious and enticing as a rhino’s butt.

  As Colby massaged the soothing cocoa butter into her rough hands, the faint scent of chocolate filling her head, her mind tripped back to her fireside make-out session with Jason. And the way his hands had felt kneading her skin. Her legs tingled and she closed her eyes, leaning her hip against the counter.

  Damn, that man could kiss. Better than any daydream she’d ever had about him, that was for sure. She opened her eyes as a slow smile crossed over her face. And now that they’d struck their agreement, hopefully she’d discover other things the Captain could do well, too.

  An hour later, Colby pulled into the packed parking lot of Magnolia Springs Elementary. Staring up at the familiar two-story building brought back a flood of memories. Days of science fairs and field days, quiz bowls and the school paper. Colby had never really found her niche until high school where they finally had home economics—now that, she rocked.

  She planted a black stiletto onto the steaming concrete and walked up to the entrance with purposeful strides. The click of her shoes on the pavement matched the rhythm of her pounding heart. She was running later than she would’ve liked—and she despised being late. But, as luck would have it, her unreliable car had decided today would be a great day to be difficult. That’s what she got for asking her sister to have a car waiting for her when she arrived, instead of just renting one herself.

  When Emma had called her the night before, inviting her to the Recognition Assembly, Colby had been conflicted. It was sweet to be included, and she wanted to be Emma’s friend. But she didn’t want to confuse the young girl. Would going only serve to lead her on? Events like these were for family members, not a woman about to be secretly hooking up with a student’s dad. In the end, Colby knew what a big deal this assembly was within the school and the community, so she accepted. She just hoped she made the right choice.

  Taking a quick moment to peer inside the glass double doors of the main building, Colby noticed that everything looked exactly as it did when she was a student there. Beige linoleum floors, light blue cinder block walls, and bright red lockers on either side of the hall. A poster declared The Frogs Are Fierce, because, sadly, that was the elementary school’s mascot.

  Beware the fearsome frogs.

  Chuckling softly, she continued toward the cafegymatorium, which she had no doubt still smelled faintly of spaghetti sauce, regardless of what the staff had made for lunch. She yanked open the door and inhaled the basil. A sea of multi-colored plastic chairs stood before the makeshift stage, making the room look as if a rainbow had thrown up. Colby shook her head, a nostalgic smile tugging at her lips. Then she searched the room for Jason.

  With a population of just over a thousand people, the town never felt the need to divide the students into a middle school or junior high, which meant that all the children in Magnolia Springs from preschool to preteen passed through these doors. That was a lot of families. It also meant that they were in for a long ceremony today. Colby didn’t mind. Looking at the adorable faces on the stage, she couldn’t help remembering all the years she’d sat up there waiting for her own awards. Searching for her parents watching in the crowd, proud smiles pasted on their faces.

  The pang that hit Colby’s heart was double-edged. The turmoil was expected; her emotions always got twisted when she remembered her dad in happier times. But now a strange ache in her chest accompanied the confusion. She would never know what it was like to sit in the rainbow throw-up chairs and smile as her children received an award. It was one of the consequences of giving up relationships that she rarely let herself think about. And spotting Jason in the front row, she decided today was not the day to start.

  As Colby made her way toward the front of the room, sidestepping purses and protruding feet in the aisle, Jason’s handsome face lit up in a welcoming smile. Fine lines around his eyes crinkled. His gaze lowered to her mouth, and that toe-curling grin turned wicked. Colby’s breath faltered, and a wave of heat rushed over her.

  Forget People magazine. Jason was hands down the sexiest man she had ever seen. Today he was dressed in pressed pants and a dark green button down, and he looked positively scrumptious. It was unfair for a man to look this good in everything he wore; there had to be a few men in town who’d appreciate him sharing the wealth. Jason’s toffee eyes danced with devilish intentions, confirming the decision she made on their camping trip. Now it was only a matter of getting him alone…

  She came to a stop before the open seat he had saved for her, loving the way he looked into her eyes as if he really saw her. He held her gaze for a long, delicious beat, then pressed a warm hand against her lower back as he turned them both to reintroduce her to his parents. A thrill skipped over her skin.

  Waving away the introduction, Colby smiled at the woman seated in front of her and said, “Mrs. Landry, it’s been way too long.”

  Her favorite teacher shot to her feet with a laugh, leaving no mistake who Emma had inherited her energy from. “Mrs. Landry is what my students call me,” the woman scolded with a grin. “And seeing you all grown up and calling me that makes me feel old. Please call me Sharon.”

  Sharon wrapped her up in a hug, and Colby inhaled the comforting scent of Chanel No. 5 and baby powder. It transported her right back to the days of seventh grade, when life’s dilemmas involved gossiping friends, passing earth science, and mastering her father’s corn and crabmeat soup recipe. Oh, and the unrequited crush s
he’d had on her teacher’s son, of course.

  Jason’s mom smiled. She looked around the room packed with former students, then lowering her voice conspiratorially said, “You always were one of my favorites.”

  Colby laughed. Sharon squeezed her hand and sat down, and Colby turned to the distinguished gentleman on the woman’s left. “It’s nice to see you again, Chief.” The man might’ve retired from the fire department years ago, but in her eyes, he’d forever hold the honorary title. Jason’s dad was larger than life with broad shoulders, a generous stomach, and an air that commanded your respect. “I hear you have more time for fishing these days.”

  “That I do,” he said, pushing to his feet with a chuckle. “But the dang things still aren’t biting.” He leaned in to press a chaste kiss on her cheek, tickling her skin with his salt and pepper whiskers, and tilted his chin toward the stage. “Do you know that all I’ve heard out of my granddaughter this past week is Miss Robicheaux this, and Miss Robicheaux that? It seems as though you have yourself a fan club.”

  Anxiety crept back as Colby followed his smile to see Emma seated in the second to last row at the end of the stage, waving eagerly. She waved back, her chest growing uncomfortably tight, and said, “The feeling is mutual, Chief.”

  That’s what made this so hard. Colby genuinely liked the girl. But between attending a school function, going on a family trip, and talking Emma through a monumental first like getting her period, everything was beginning to feel just so domesticated.

  Emma lifted her palm to block her other hand and pointed at the boy beside her. “That’s him,” she mouthed, dramatically widening her eyes.

  Colby laughed, knowing exactly who he was. During the camping trip, she’d gotten an earful about Brad, the mega-crush Emma had on him, and the fact that her dad would go positively butt-crazy—her words, obviously—if he found out that Brad had told Molly who told Ava who told Emma that he liked her. “He’s cute,” she mouthed, nodding her approval.

  When Colby turned back, she found the Chief watching her with a strange expression on his face. Not unfriendly by any means; more like curious, appraising. Questioning. His eyes cut to Emma, and then to Jason, and the corners of his mouth twitched. Her heart rate did a funny dance. She had a feeling his parents were getting an entirely wrong picture here. The same one she feared Emma was getting.

  Unfortunately, the principal chose that moment to walk up to the podium. “Welcome family and friends to Magnolia Springs Elementary’s Recognition Assembly!”

  The crowd broke into applause as Principal Levet adjusted the microphone, and Colby reluctantly took her seat between Jason and his mother. If she wasn’t careful, it looked like the entire town would have the two of them engaged before they even officially sealed their little agreement. And marriage was so not in her future.

  The cheers died down and the principal smiled. “As you all know,” she said, folding her hands in front of her, “next week our students will finish up the year, taking end of term exams and participating in the school-wide field day. But today we honor them for their many extra-curricular achievements. It’s no secret that MSE has some of the most active, involved students on the north shore. So parents go ahead and get comfortable”—she gave the crowd a knowing smile—“because we’re gonna be here for a while.”

  The audience laughed in appreciation, and the woman went on about the school’s award-winning choir and band. But Colby couldn’t shake the look she’d caught on the Chief’s face. Settling back against the stiff plastic of her chair, she gnawed on her lip.

  She hadn’t been overly close with either of his parents, but she’d known them all her life. Because of Cane, the Landry family became fixtures around their house early on. They came to holiday parties, tagged along during a trip to Florida one year, and they were Robicheaux’s most loyal customers. His parents had always gone out of their way to make her feel comfortable, and Colby hated the thought of disappointing either of them.

  This thing with Jason kept getting stickier and stickier, and technically it hadn’t even started yet. But Colby was too far-gone to think about backing out. Even in the packed room, her entire right side tingled with awareness of the sexy captain. With the entire summer still stretched before them, all she could do was follow her heart—or in this case, hormones—and vow to keep in touch with Emma when their arrangement ended.

  The choir members returned to their seats, certificates in hand, and Principal Levet reached for her bottle of water. As she uncapped the top, Emma caught Colby’s eye and grimaced. Colby grinned. Emma’s group must be up next.

  Setting the bottle on the podium, the principal cleared her throat. “Our student council has been extra active this year,” she said, confirming Colby’s suspicion. “Our class presidents banded together to raise money for our tutoring program, earning enough to purchase two new computers and a slew of reference materials for the library. Emma Landry, our sixth grade president, also chaired a baked goods drive for our literacy program.”

  Irrational pride bloomed in Colby’s chest as the row of class presidents stood to a round of applause. Emma’s drive and ambition had absolutely nothing to do with her, but it didn’t stop her from practically gloating on the girl’s behalf. When Emma neared the front of the line to receive her certificate, Colby even joined the Landry family in catcalls. Jason let out an impressive whistle. His parents screamed her name. And Colby stamped her feet and whooped. Jason caught her eye and winked.

  “Way to go Em!” Sharon cheered beside her as Emma posed for the school photographer.

  “That’s my peanut,” the Chief called out.

  Around them, people laughed good-naturedly at the attention, and Emma’s face turned beet red. But from the mega-watt smile on her face, there was no mistaking that she was pleased.

  Colby took in the scene with a heart split straight down the middle. It was awesome seeing Emma so happy. She was glad to be here and honored to have been asked. But the same question kept repeating in her mind: what kind of signal was she sending? To Emma, to Jason, to his parents…to herself?

  Up and down, back and forth. Her emotions were like a freaking roller coaster. She wasn’t a member of the Landry family, but she was for damn sure acting like she was. Colby drew a series of short breaths, suddenly feeling like she couldn’t inhale any deeper.

  It was too much. Too fast. She’d only been in Jason’s life again for, like, two weeks.

  What was going on with her?

  By the end of the assembly, Colby had barely managed to get her breathing back under control when Emma came barreling toward them. Jason scooped her up and squeezed her tight against his side.

  “I’m so proud of you,” he said, mussing her hair as he jostled her back and forth. During the last hour, Emma had racked up additional certificates for library helpers, peer tutoring, and volleyball, and if Colby had to wager a guess, she’d had the loudest cheering section of any other recipient. Emma buried her face in his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist, regardless of the fact that Brad and her classmates were all around. “By the time you graduate from this place, they’re not gonna know what to do without you.”

  Emma blushed. “I didn’t really do anything that special.”

  “Em, your dad’s right.” Putting on a smile, Colby began counting on her fingers. “Chairing a bake sale, tutoring, working in the library, leading the volleyball team in assists—as someone who has zero coordination, let me just say that I’m very impressed.”

  The girl laughed, but not before beaming even brighter. Pushing her bangs out of her face, she widened her eyes and asked, “You are coming to eat with us at Honey and Pop’s, aren’t you?”

  Colby scrunched her nose at the abrupt subject change, and the strange names. Jason chuckled, seeing her confusion and explained, “Honey and Pop are my parents. We’re going over there for dinner. And yes, we’d really love it if you joined us.”

  She hesitated—which was a feat in the face of
Emma’s fresh-faced eagerness. But she’d been looking forward to a quiet night alone to freak out. And wouldn’t tagging along lead to more of the same confusion? The deal she made with Jason wasn’t about sweet family moments. It was a night between the sheets, not dinner at mom and dad’s. Unless said dinner included a night of babysitting services and a green light for hooking up.

  But before Colby could come up with a halfway decent excuse, Sharon squeezed her shoulder. “You know I have enough food to feed an army,” she cut in with a twinkle in her eye. “And it would be an honor to serve a renowned chef. Well, as long as you don’t turn into one of those judges on Iron Chef. Those people can be brutal.”

  Even the Chief jumped in, saying, “Yes, you should join us,” which actually only proved her point. Colby knew what he was thinking, what he thought was happening between her and Jason.

  All four of them were looking at her with such hopeful expressions that Colby couldn’t help feeling a strange tug. Of belonging, of feeling as though she fit into their sweet family unit. And wanting to fit into it even more.

  That desire scared her.

  This was only a fling. It was all it could ever be. And she needed to remember that.

  Then Jason tilted his head to the side and a spark entered his eye. She didn’t know where it came from, didn’t know what it meant, but it felt like a challenge. A challenge she wanted—no, needed to meet. Turning to Emma and against her own better judgment she asked, “So what’s for dinner?”

  …

  “Everything all right in here, Dad?”

  Jason knocked on the partially open door to his father’s study. The women were huddled together in the kitchen, cooking up a storm and outnumbering him with estrogen. He prided himself on being a decent cook, but the expression “too many cooks in the kitchen” existed for a reason. So he and his Y-chromosome had left.