Little White Lies

Chapter 6

"Anything useful?" Eric asked. It was dark outside and they had spent the whole afternoon and evening on research. Candice felt like her eyes were about to cross from having to decipher her mom's writings. So far, all she got was grocery lists, her mother's random ideas for new business, and snippets of conversations and gifts to return. It solidified her knowledge that her mom wasn't a very exciting person.

"Let's take a break," she suggested. Eric nodded eagerly and the two trotted back downstairs in search of food. It was then that Candice realized she had a problem.

She couldn't cook to save her life.

"Soup?" Candice suggested, holding out a can of ready-made soup but Eric shook his head. He reached for the pasta and a can of tomato sauce and tuna. That looked simple enough, but she had no idea how long the pasta needed to boil for.

Eric turned towards her with the pasta, and he caught the expression on her face. "Wait, have you ever cooked?"

Candice froze. She could lie, but that would just mean a disastrous dinner. So she shook her head.

"It's okay, just do exactly what I say," Eric said calmly. Candice relaxed; admitting it wasn't so bad.

"How kind, sir," she said in a mock British accent, then it occurred to her that she didn't even know his last name. "Hey, we've literally spent the last 2 days together and I don't even know your last name."

Eric laughed, filling a pan of water and putting it on the stove. Candice couldn't remember the last time it was actually used. He turned up the heat of the magnetic touch and pulled out another pan before answering, "it's Goodman."

"That is a name that matches you perfectly," Candice said and for once she was sincere. That succeeded in making him blush.

"You know what, let's get to know each other better," Candice said, suddenly feeling rejuvenated at the prospect. "Let's play twenty questions."

Eric eyed her uncertainty as he opened the can. Despite saying that he would make her help, he was doing everything solo so far. "Are we still in middle school?"

Candice rolled her eyes. She could already think of a million questions to ask Eric! "Come on, it'd be fun. And you have to be completely honest."

After a few minutes of begging, Eric finally relented. By then the pasta was in the hot water and he was simmering the sauce.

"I'll go first," Candice spoke before Eric had a chance to object. "When was your first kiss?"

Eric grimaced. Candice waited patiently, knowing that he would spit out the answer. "Thirteen."

"That's it? You have to tell me more!" she pressed. Eric rolled his eyes at her good naturally before relenting, "it was a spin the bottle dare and we never spoke again."

Classic! Candice laughed inside. Thirteen was quite old for a first kiss, but he did seem like the shy type. "Okay, your turn," Candice prompted. Eric fell silent and she wondered what he would ask her.

"What do you want to do? In life?" he asked. The seriousness of the question took Candice off guard.

"To continue the family legacy," Candice responded almost instinctively. That was all she ever wanted to do. She'd delegates, of course, her time was precious after all. But there was no doubt that she'd be in charge.

"Is that what you really want to do?" Eric prompted, looking at her in a way that made her uncomfortable. It was like he was feeling sorry for her.

"Of course," Candice shouted. How dare he question her! This was all she ever wanted to do since she was a little girl, to make sure that her family continued. She would also need to find a husband who was willing to take her name or let their child do so, but that's further down the line.