Ch. 2
"You don't like the chicken?" Burke squinted at Cristina as she played with her food absent-mindedly.

"Oh, no, I like it."

"Really?"

Cristina put down her fork and leaned forward. "Burke—"

"Yes?"

"Who taught you how to cook?"

"Does it really taste THAT bad?" Burke carefully chewed another piece of it as he questioned Cristina.

"I mean, is it something easy to learn?"

It was hard for Burke to understand what was going on in that petite head. Who didn't know Cristina couldn't cook and swore that she would never take it up?

"I thought you hated cooking."

Cristina knew it was going to sound dumb, but she didn't care anymore, because this was the night that she felt safe to talk about things, this was the moment when they seemed to connect.

"Well, I uh… I did. But maybe it's time to acquire a new skill?"

"What for?"

"You know, in movies and stuff, the girl learns cooking when she wants to impress a guy. I think it's very old-school, but it's worth trying."

"So you want me to help you to impress this guy?" Burke flashed a smile, a bright and relaxed one that she had dearly missed.

"Apparently."

"I don't know how much I can teach you."

"Everything. Well, except, maybe, I think I'm already an expert in chicken mutilation. That I don't need to learn."

"Ok. You'll be doing the dishes this week."

Cristina frowned. She was trying to learn to cook. She wasn't asking for dishes to clean.

"Is that meant to be my cooking class tuition fee?"

"Nope. You said you want to learn everything, so we'll start with the basics."

"I don't see the connection."

"You will. Now, finish your food before it gets cold," Burke laughed.

"Alright," Cristina put another piece of chicken into her mouth and nodded with some suspicion.

"I'm the best teacher you can find. Your guy will be impressed, so will his mother."

Cristina rolled her eyes, pretending she didn't hear the last part of the sentence.

She wasn't sure how long he would remain in high spirits, but she would definitely go and thank whoever told her that food would make a man happy. Cristina missed the radiance on Burke's face. If cooking was this one thing that could keep him confident, she would play along.

"I am ready," Cristina wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and walked towards the kitchen sink.

She knew she would find a way to get out of doing the dishes tonight. Cristina tried to hide her naughty smile.