“How is it?”

Her boyfriend had been looking forward to this for a week. She knew how much he had spent preparing. Yet, she sat across from him with her red lipstick on, wondering whether to tell him the truth.

To give herself more time, she put up a finger and popped another piece into her mouth. It felt like solid fire. If only she could keep her face a stone.

He waited with a smile. She really did not want to ruin that. Her hand hovered toward her water. She finally could speak without sounding breathless.

“A little spicy, but delicious.”

Oh, she had made his day, but she was going to suffer for it.