Free Package Deal by Chris Chegri Page B

stop. I have this problem—” Hick-up! “— with spicy foods.”
    Hick-up. This time the jarring spasm came out an octave higher, followed by a loud squeak, sounding like a toy mouse being stepped on. She pressed her napkin over her mouth, afraid to say another word.
    “My fault. I didn’t even think about the fish being too hot,” he said.
    “Too late.” She stifled another hiccup with her napkin.
    His eyes danced with amusement. “It’s okay. Don’t be embarrassed, though it’s a bit unusu—”
    Before he could finish, she did it again. Hick-up! Steve choked on a laugh .
    Kelly chugged the dregs of her ice water, hoping to freeze whatever body part was in spasm. Vocal cords, diaphragm? She had no idea and had never mentioned the problem to a doctor, despite suffering for years.
    “I try to avoid spicy foods.” Hick-up! “ Oh my God! I think it’s an allergy. Black pepper is the worst.” She wanted to crawl under the table, but didn’t of course, glancing instead at Steve’s water.
    He pushed the glass toward her. “Go ahead.”
    She drank most of it, hoping to drown the hiccups.
    Both glasses empty, she sat for a minute without making a sound. Waiting. Finally, she breathed a sigh of relief. “Phew. That was terrible.”
    Without warning, she hiccupped again, a high screeching sound. Steve’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
    “Oh, come on,” she groaned. “Quick, hand me some sugar.”
    Steve eyed her as if she were crazy but handed her two sugars. “What’s that going to do?”
    “Some—” Hick-up! “ — times it helps.” She tore open the pack and poured the contents into her mouth. When Steve’s expression became quizzical, she giggled mid-hiccup. “Appar—” Hick-up . She struggled to get the words out. “Apparentlyitsnotworking.” She rattled off the sentence so fast it came out one long word.
    Their gazes connected, and they collapsed into such loud laughter it silenced the noisy macaw where he sat on his perch, head cocked to one side in bewilderment. Between snorts and giggles, Kelly hiccupped, and Steve choked into his napkin.
    When at last she stopped, he switched plates with her. “Here. You eat the flounder. I’ll eat the Mahi Mahi.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yeah. I don’t think my stomach can survive another hiccup. My ribs hurt. ”
    They fell apart again, holding their sides and stuffing their napkins in their mouths, ignoring the stares from the other tables. Time seemed to stop for the moment.
    They survived dinner, made it through dessert, and relaxed over another glass of wine. Kelly’s thoughts flashed back to Ken’s reaction to her hiccups. It had embarrassed him, and he’d accused her of doing it on purpose. He was such a jerk.
    Kelly and Steve stuck to small talk—safe and comfortable for Kelly. The wine and laughter magically dispelled any discomfort she was feeling, and she was at peace for the first time in days. The breeze off the ocean cooled, and a brilliant three-quarter moon rose over the ocean. It was late. The other diners had finished and left the restaurant, and Kelly and Steve had the patio to themselves.
    She listed toward him, having drunk too much wine . “You’re a lot of fun, Steve McCarthy.” She couldn’t feel her face but knew she was grinning like an idiot. She bubbled with happiness inside, something new for Kelly.
    “Me? You’re the one who started all the laughing. I didn’t do anything.” He met her halfway and brushed his lips feather soft across her mouth. “You taste like wine, sweet wine.”
    He kissed her again, softly—barely a kiss.
    Enjoying the feel of his lips, she pushed back all her old fears and gave in to the impulse. She leaned toward him to return the kiss, lips parted.
    At the same moment, the macaw let out a loud hick-up , and croaked, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
    They froze, and then crumpled into hysterical laughter.

Chapter Eleven

     

     
    I t was one harmless, little kiss, she told herself