Page 20 of Tasty Tentacles

It comes to me in a flash—the perfect way to help him.

“Do you want him to see?” I ask.

This stops him in his tracks. It’s obviously something he never even considered, but he’s going to consider it now, if I have anything to say about it.

“Uh, I don’t know. I mean, well…”

“After twenty years, I think I know my BertieBear pretty well. I will bet you any amount of money: he will take one look at your tentacula, and then he’ll ask to touch them.”

“Um…”

“My Bertie is a dyed-in-the-wool pogonophile. If you don’t know…”

“Beard-lover,” Orion says quietly, tentacles suddenly becoming even more animated. I think I’ve intrigued him, and now I need to help him make the crucial first step.

“Exactly right. I can’t even imagine the amount of joy this would bring him. Would you like to do it?”

“But how? I don’t know. Maybe?” I can see it there in his eyes. Hope.

“We always make appetizers for Christmas Eve—the fancier the better. I think he’d go all out if he knew you were coming. You know, he values you and your insightful sense of taste. Some of our friends are going to join us in the evening—they’re total foodies and do amazing things with flavors—but you don’t have to stay for that. You could drop by the house after lunch, and if it feels right, you can help us cook.”

I’m determined. Bertie and I have the holidays to help him understand everything he has to lose.

9

BERTIE

I’m so, so, so excited! I can’t keep my feet from dancing. My GingerGiant is coming over this afternoon and I can’t wait!

Like every year, we’re closing the bakery at noon, and we’re completely closed tomorrow for a blissful day of Christmas rest and binging Twilight Zone. The big morning rush has finished and the shelves are almost bare, so we might even be able to sneak out a few minutes early.

Orion and I have been texting non-stop for days, planning the menu. Turns out he is quite the gourmet, not that I’m particularly surprised about that, given his exquisite sense of taste.

OMG! I forgot the most important thing! I need to send a quick text to Orion.

“Camila, could you cover the counter for a minute?”

Hi again Orion, please forgive me. I’ve committed an inexcusable faux pas!

I don’t believe that for a second.

But its true!

/it’s

And…?

I forgot to invite Jake!

Really???

Of course! What is Christmas Eve without your best friend? We have a big yard and I have loads of treats.

Thanks. He has accepted your invitation.

Joy! This is the last text. I promise.

I’ll believe it when I see it.