"I don't need cooking classes." Cruz told Burk. He didn't appreciate being dragged to a cooking class. Cooking classes were for people who couldn't cook or were on a date. He knew from experience that cooking for or with a partner was an incredibly intimate experience. At least for him as he always pulled out the stops. But they were supposed to be going out for beers and some clubbing. Cruz wanted to get his groove on and let off some steam after the week they had.
"Trust me, you will love this class. It's Creole cooking-"
"Yeah, I can cook Creole." Cruz complained as Burk kept him moving in the direction away from the clubs where all the beautiful women and cold beverages were beckoning him.
"The teacher is unbelievably hot, like Jessica Alba hot." Burk said, Cruz perked up a little.
"Ok." he said, interested.
"She's single, I need you to be my wingman." Burk said, the last part deflated Cruz somewhat.
"Oh, here I thought you were gonna hook me up." Cruz drawled mockingly.
"No, this is for me. Please, help a brother out. It's a class for couples and I need you to be my plus one to get in. Please." Burk begged.
"Isn't she going to think we're together?" Cruz asked.
"As bros, yeah, I told her I'd bring my friend and we're here." Burk annouced, he gestured to a door next to a restaurant that said 'The Cook's Workshop'. He opened the door and started up the stairs.
"Can we go for beers afterwards?" Cruz asked. He could smell all the familiar scents of home. At least it reminded him of the last time he had been home with his family, but they were all gone now. The house he'd grown up in was just a time capsule of his past.
"Sure," Burk said, they reached the top and entered a large open space with several cooking stations laden with food. "We're early." he surmised as they were the first to arrive.
"¡Buenas noches!, come in!" a familiar voice called out, Cruz jerked his head in the direction and watched as his sister dropped a metal bowl filled with red peppers. "Javi?" she asked in disbelief.
"You know each other?" Burk asked.
"Yeah." Cruz said he couldn't believe it. His sister was alive and well, did it mean more of his family were alive? Where were they?
"An ex?" Burk asked, his question jerked Cruz out of his thoughts and made him want to gag.
"That's disgusting, she's my sister!" Cruz told him, he shot him an incredulous look. Burk looked between the two for a moment.
"No way, she's too good looking to be your sister." Burk said, Maria blushed and smiled at the compliment as Cruz glowered. He was not going to help his friend hook up with his sister.