Ethan's knife wobbled unsteadily across the lettuce, producing uneven slices—some as thick as coins, others paper-thin.

Jenna glanced at the cutting board. The thickest piece could rival a quarter in width.

His knife skills were downright disastrous.

She wanted to shoo him out, but he stubbornly insisted on helping. What should've been a three-hour dinner prep now stretched to four.

Those chunky lettuce slices would take at least forty minutes to cook through.

With a sigh, Jenna transferred the golden crispy chicken wings to a plate. She added rock sugar to the pan, letting it slowly caramelize into amber syrup over low heat.

The wings went back in, glazed with the glossy sauce. She popped open a can of cola and poured it in with a fizz.

A sharp inhale came from beside her.

Jenna turned to see a drop of blood fall from Ethan's index finger onto the cutting board.

She killed the burner and rushed over. The gash looked nasty, blood welling steadily.

"I told you not to chop anything!" She grabbed his wrist and without hesitation, took his injured finger into her mouth.

Ethan's pupils constricted.

The warm pressure around his wound stunned him. He stared, dumbfounded, as she kept his finger between her lips, unfazed by the metallic tang.

"You—"

Jenna spat out the blood and met his gaze. "Wait here. I'll get a bandage."

Ethan remained rooted, the tips of his ears turning pink. He pressed his lips together, still feeling the ghost of hers against his skin.

Jenna returned swiftly, tearing open a pink Hello Kitty band-aid.

"Not deep. This'll do for a couple days." She dressed the wound efficiently. "Go wait in the living room. I've got this."

Ethan frowned at the childish cartoon print now adorning his finger. "Sorry for being more hindrance than help."

Jenna's eyes crinkled like crescent moons. "Appreciate the thought." She checked the clock and sighed internally.

Ethan slipped his left hand into his pocket and exited silently. Justin and Milo chatted in the living room, neither noticing his passing.

He headed straight for the bedroom and shut the door.

Not long after, Grandma Blanche and Grandpa Harrison arrived.

"Milo, where's Ethan?" Grandma Blanche scanned the room, finding only the two young men.