Page 104 of Yours, Forever

She frowned, then laughed. "Wow. The whole dance is a tease, then? If that's part of your culture, no wonder you are the way you are."

"I've searched for videos of it online." Jake stood next to Gabe by the steel barbecue, preparing the first round of foods for the day—longanizas, a specific type of sausage back home, to be cut in half and put into bread for choripán; and wieners to be chopped and eaten as finger food. "When you see two people who know how to dance it, like for a competition… the flirting gets to you. It's amazing."

Vi gazed at Jake. "Cueca is all about the slow burn. If you're into that delicious torment of waiting for when the kiss finally happens… then, yes. You're going to love watching cueca."

They exchanged a long look that could have been part of a couple courting each other, like a rooster to a hen.

I held back a snort. Most of us did, I'd wager.

"Is there something between them?" Eva whispered near me.

I took my chance and placed my lips right above her ear. "Yes. Very unresolved, as far as I know, but yes."

A chill ran through her in response to my breath on her skin. I could have snickered, but I had to bite my lips instead from the temptation. The impulse fired up to make a path in pursuit of the gooseflesh… with my tongue.

The eyes she gave me told me she felt the same way.

"Who wants choripán?" Gabe asked. "The longaniza is ready."

Ha. Longaniza was a Chilean euphemism for dick, and if I'd wanted to be crude, I would have made a joke about it. As it was, I needed to stop thinking about cocks and paths I could follow with my tongue, or I would embarrass myself and everyone with a tent in my slacks.

"I want a longaniza." Eva's tone seemed completely unaware of how she tickled my humor. "Teach me how to eat it?"

I opened my mouth to respond but no sound came out, torn as I was between joking and taking it seriously.

"Max." Gabe's warning tone interrupted me. He came around the group with a tray of items, and served them food. He stood in front of us. "Here is the marraqueta and a longaniza. There's the pebre and the mayo, if Eva wants. Keep to task. You can do it. Teach her. No jokes necessary."

I couldn't help myself. "I simply want to teach her the best way to eat this Chilean longaniza, just how I like it—"

"Max!" Tío Raúl exclaimed, though everyone chuckled.

"You're teasing me, aren't you?" Eva asked.

Jake lifted a longaniza that was still cooking, holding it in the air to showcase its curved shape and size, right on par withwhat many considered to be average. He didn't have to explain further.

Eva snorted and shook her head.

"I see." She reached for a piece of marraqueta and stuffed it with longaniza. She arched an eyebrow my way, a sparkle in her eyes. "I think I do a pretty good job of eating longaniza. Or do you have any complaints?"

Gabe groaned and walked away. Javier snorted.

I laughed. "Oh, darling. No complaints at all. I'm just happy you want to partake."

Gabe moved on to the next couch, where Vi and Tía Sonia picked the parts of their own bread and sausage combo.

Eva elbowed me. "Now teach me about a proper way to eat an actual choripán, will you? Should I add pebre?"

I showed her how to prepare the traditional food. We continued chatting with everyone and enjoying the asado.

With her by my side, this was one of the best Dieciochos I'd ever had.

Eva

On our last evening with the Sotomayors at the lake house, we did more of the same; the group sat on the deck after another day of intense snack-slash-full-meal eating. On the outdoor couch that had become mine and Max's, I waited for him to bring me a sweater.

He announced his arrival with a kiss on my temple. "Here you go."

"Anyone want to play cards?" Tío Raúl asked.