Chapter Twenty Seven

AVA

The first thing that hit Ava immediately she stepped inside the apartment she shared with Nicole, was the burning aroma of something peppery.

Nicole had never been a great cook. She had never been a cook at all. She could only try once or twice but she always ended up burning them or putting an excess spice or something stupid in the food.

Richard had insisted on driving her home, but she'd declined and rather let him drop her off at the bus stop.

Holding her hands against her nose, she shut the door with her foot and toed off her shoes.

"Nicole, what's burning?" She shouted, her voice muffled as she found her way to the kitchen, blinking away the stinging tears.

Nicole was at the counter. She'd turned off the stove but the smoke was still in the air and would take a few minutes to clear.

"Hey there! You're home." She called over her shoulder, without turning to look at Ava.

Ava stood at the kitchen door jamb. "Why do you always burn whatever you cook?" She asked. Thin