HAZEL
For a second, I just blink at Angela.
There’s something about the way she says it, apologetic but firm, that makes me feel like a child who wandered somewhere she shouldn’t. And Natasha still hasn’t taken my hand. She hasn’t even looked at me again. Her eyes have returned to the cutting board like I’m just an inconvenience that walked in with the wind.
Heat creeps up my neck.
“Oh. Okay.” I swallow. “I didn’t mean to interfere, and I wasn’t saying it was her job. I just hoped I would get to do something.... I wanted something to keep me busy so I won’t be so bored. I always wanted to learn how to cook, and when you said she’s a real chef, I just got curious to learn from her. That’s all.”
Angela’s face softens immediately, and I can see her trying to come up with a solution.
“Um
