As Riley scrambled to his feet, dusting off the dirt from his jeans, he quickly caught up with Sherman''s stride. The two were greeted by a warm smile
from Adah as they approached the dining area.
"Finished your littlepetition, have you?” Adah chuckled. "Dinner''s about ready. I was about to send someone to fetch you boys. Who won, by the
way?"
"Sherman''s too good!" Riley eximed, brushing a hand through his hair. "I mean, with these skinny arms and legs of mine, how could I ever match
up to him?"
Sherman pped Riley on the back with a heartyugh. "Riley''s just a greenhom! Give him a few decades to practice, and maybe, just maybe, he''ll
have a shot at beating me."
Riley''s mouth twitched into a grimace. "Decades?"
The dinner table was a lively scene, with Karen strategically seating Riley next to Anthea. Five people gathered around the table, with Sherman sitting
directly across from Riley.
"So, Riley," Karen began with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, "you''re what. 21 this year?”
"Yeah, that''s right,” Riley replied with a nod.
"Got yourself a girlfriend back at college?" Karen prodded.
Riley shook his head. "Haven''t found the right one yet."
"Well, I might just know a lovely youngdy for you..." Karen''s matchmaking was cut off as Sherman stood up and served her a piece of fish with the
serving fork. “Grandma, this is your favorite, isn''t it? Please, have a taste.”
Karen nced at Sherman with a knowing look.
Cheeky boy!
They were having a silent battle of wits.
The fish was met with Karen''s approval. "Not bad at all."
Then, turning her attention to Anthea, Karen served her some chicken feet. "Annie, these are spiced to perfection. You''ve got to try them. And wait till
you see the crawfishing up—they''re your favorite."
Riley joined in the conversation with an eager smile. "You like crawfish too, Ann? I''m a huge fan!"
Anthea nodded. "I''m all about the
meats. If it''s got meat, I''m usually a
fan.” In her past life, Anthea hadn''t .
been one-for indulgences. Often ac
nu rient sha e was enough, and.
she’ digo days without a propermeal.
Butt AM this life, she was embéAcing
every culinary delight. After all, life
was too short not to savor the
vors.
Karen, seizing the opportunity, asked Riley, "Can you handle spicy foods?"
“Absolutely!” Riley''s eyes lit up. "The spicier the better when ites to crawfish!”
Karen threw Sherman a nce, hermentced with double meaning. Sherman, however, kept his eyes on his te, his handsome brows knitting
together slightly.
Before long, adish of coconut crab
was brought the table. Karen
started tosay something to Riley, - “
but Shertaan was already on his < >
feet, deftly cracking the crab for>
everyone. "Grandma,dies should
take care of their delicate hands. Let
ré handle this.” Content.belongs to
Karen nodded in approval. "Absolutely! Men are better suited for this sort of thing!”
Sherman skillfully prepared the crab, and Karen ced some onto Anthea''s te. "Annie, the crab is infused with a hint of coconut. It''s divine with the
rich roe. You must try it.”
Anthea didn''t hesitate, savoring thebination of vors. True to form, no sooner had she finished the crab than Adah offered her some spicy
chicken. “Annie, you''ll love these—they''re just the right amount of spicy."
"And it''s not just spicy food Ann loves. She’s got a sweet tooth too. Here, try the sweet lotus root,” Karen chimed in.
Karen and Adah piled Anthea’s te high with a variety of dishes, as if they werepeting to spoil her with choices. Luckily, Anthea was up for the
challenge, her appetite more than amodating
Karen reveled in watching Anthea
eat. There wassomething refreshing
about herck of pretense, so .
different, drsm the high society girls
who caunted calories and avoided
anything that might threaten their
figure. Sure, they might be shim, but
toKaren, they looked like they were
missing out on one of lifé''s greatest
pleasures: good food. Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.