...

Auni was pretty quiet on the way there but wasn’t surprised by his answer.

“Oh that’s a shame…” her mom said softly.

“I think he came here for a different experience not to find a girlfriend,” Auni said in it a hint of attitude to her mom.

The drive to her grandparents wasn’t very long and so they got there fairly quick. They had a small quaint white home on the water. It was small but that’s all they needed. Once the car was parked they got out and her grandma and grandpa were outside waiting. Auni got out excitedly and gave her grandma a hug.

“This is grandma Peggy and grandpa Dan,” she told Theo. Her grandparents examined him…

“It’s so nice to finally meet you we have heard a lot but we can’t wait to get to know you more!” Her grandma exclaimed.

“Do you like French Onion pasta?” Her grandma asked as she ushered them inside their small coastal inspired home. It was nicely decorated but a little bit older in style and they had lots of pictures of their family and of Auni as she grew up.

...

“Oh how great! If you want to join in and help us cook your more than welcome!” Her grandma mentioned as Auni examined what her grandma had prepared so far. She had started chopping a few onions but had a few more left and then had a box of cavatappi pasta sitting on the counter next to a pot that needed to be brought to a boil.

“I can do the onions,” Auni said as she went over to the cutting board and started expertly chopping the onions and a quick pace.

“So Theo… is France as beautiful as they say? We have been to Germany and our ancestors are mostly from Finland but we haven’t been to France,” her grandma asked.

“She’s a talker… but mines well get to know you right off the bat because we have family dinners at least once a week sometimes twice. Hope you get used it kid,” her grandpa whispered to Theo with a small pat on the shoulder. As much as Auni loved her grandparents they didn’t have much of personal space…or boundaries sometimes. They mean well but they love talking with everyone especially her grandma.

Auni was in her element if she wasn’t painting she was baking or cooking. Painting was more of a creative hobby in awhile but she also loved to express her creativity with recipes. She’d very smart and intelligent but she would much rather work with her hands than sit in a classroom…or a courtroom.

She got a pan out and threw some oil in it and then the onions and started to sauté them. “Could someone please grab me some salt, pepper, garlic, and thyme?” She asked as there was a spice rack on the left side of the counter. Unlike most chefs who yell in the kitchen she actually gets nicer. It’s something she enjoys and she knows how to multitask well. She can work well with others, when she wants too.

...

Auni turned around to see Theo next to her with what she needed...she held their gaze for a moment realizing how pretty his eyes were and then went back into focus.
"Thank you," she said trying not to seem frazzled. For the first time she was caught off of her game in the kitchen. No one or nothing has done that to her before usually she is lazer focused.

"If you'd like to help you can help us set the table," her grandma said with a soft simle as she grabbed some bowls out. "The silverware is in the second drawer on the left," she said as she carried them to the dining table.

Auni saw the water boiling and knew it was time to take the pasta out she turned the burner down and took the pot to the sink draining the water and then returned it to the back burner that wasnt on as she sauteed the onions.

"Who wants to taste test?" she asked as she got a few forks so they could try the onion and give her feedback. "They are almost done I need approval and then I will add it to the noodles and work on the sauce and then dinner will be ready," she said happily.

"Theo you will have to give us suggestions for next weeks dinner!" Her grandpa said to him and handed him a fork with a wink. "She learned from the best you should try it,"

...

Auni smiled as she watched everyone taste test its “do you think it needs anything?” She asked. She was pretty confident in the kitchen but sometimes she would second guess herself. Her grandma has helped her start on the sauce and then she contemplated the flavors.

“Theo what kind of classes are you taking and what are some of the things you like to do?” Her grandma had asked him trying to get to know him.

“I’m sure your family misses you already…” her grandpa stared unaware of what his family was like.

...

Auni had to try and hide her face not to blush but something about praise coming from Theo lighted her up. “Thank you,” she said with just a hint of shakiness but trying to ignore it and be casual. She added everything she needed to into the pan and moved it to the center of the dining table with a serving spoon. She had noticed his sudden change in body language and demeanor after mention of family she didn't want to pry but something seemed off...sad yet defensive.

“Bon appetite” she said and the she realized the saying was French and quickly sat down filing a bowl with the pasta to not draw attention to her French because she isn’t very good at it.

“That’s very unique! Are you nervous for your first day tomorrow? Do you think you’ll be able to make a lot of friends here?” Her grandpa asked.

“You know it’s so great that you are from France Auni has always dreamed of visiting and going to eat at a Michelin star restaurant… it was called Ineffable! In Barbentane!” She said and Audens head snapped up.

“I’ll never probably get to go though it’s just a dream…” she hissed and then looked down at her lap. She told her grandparents a lot but she didn’t expect them to remember that as she told them several years ago.

“For Dessert Grandma had made her famous triple chocolate cake, Are you a cake, cookie, pie, or ice cream person?” she asked Theo trying to change the subject.