Alexis and the Missing Ingredient by Coco Simon Read Free Book Online

shabu-shabu.”
    â€œNo way! Shabu-shabu! You didn’t tell me that, Mia!” Katie exclaimed.
    Mia laughed. “That’s ’cause I never get it. I’m always too stuffed with sashimi.”
    Huh?
    I had no idea what these people were talking about. They could have been speaking Japanese for all I understood. (Actually, they basically were speaking Japanese.) But Katie is a major foodie who wants to be a chef and has already gone to cooking camp. She knows all about Japanese food and will try anything, anyway. I’m a little more conservative in my tastes, and I was too embarrassed to ask what on Earth they were talking about.
    â€œWell, we’ll all need to save room for the surprise Mia and I have planned for after,” said Katie.
    Just like I did, Ava asked, “What is it?” Katie laughed. “We can’t tell you, silly, ’cause then it won’t be a surprise.”
    â€œOh. Am I the only one who doesn’t know, though?” asked Ava.
    I waved from across the room. “Nope. I don’t know either.”
    â€œOh. Okay,” said Ava.
    â€œWe’re clueless together!” I added, and Ava smiled.
    Mia went to take a shower, and Ava and Katie started a little side conversation about cooking, and I just sat there and listened. Luckily, Mia called out for who was next to take a shower, and I jumped up and ran in.
    Later, after we were all changed and taking turns primping at Mia’s white vanity table, her dad came home, and we all went out to say hi.
    Mr. Cruz is very handsome, with black hair and flashing dark eyes; thick, black eyebrows; and these stylish black-rimmed glasses that would look majorly nerdy on my dad but are supercool on him. “Girls! Hola! How is everyone?”
    Mia reintroduced me and Katie, since he doesn’t see us much, and he made a big show over Ava, calling her “my old pal” and making her feel special. It probably felt a little awkward for Katie, but I thought it was nice of him to make sure Ava didn’t feel left out.
    We followed him into the kitchen, where he spied my pastry box and asked, “What’s all this?” I explained, and he was really happy, saying, “Pastries are my kryptonite!” and patting his tummy. “Thanks, Alexis, that was very thoughtful of you.”
    I felt special and generous, so I added, “Well, they’re from all of us.”
    â€œThanks, girls. Now who’s ready for Omen?”
    â€œWe are!” we squealed, but my dread increased as we went to find our shoes and jackets. I wished desperately that Katie hated sushi too, but I knew I was alone in this one.

    We took the subway to SoHo and bustled through the sidewalks to the restaurant, which was up a few stairs in an old building. Inside, it was as Ava had described it, with simple wooden tables and chairs and somewhat dim lighting and exposed brick walls. We were led right to our table in the back and settled in.
    â€œWe usually see a celebrity,” whispered Mia.
    I craned my head around to look, but Mia reprimanded me. “You have to act natural! They don’t like it if you stare. I’ll let you know if I see anyone.”
    I felt a flash of annoyance, as I am rather current on minor celebrities, due to my celebrity ballroom dance obsession, but I couldn’t very well turn in my seat and watch the door for the evening.
    â€œNow, should I order for the table . . . ?” asked Mr. Cruz, looking around.
    I skimmed the menu and gulped. Steak was thirty-eight dollars. Organic chicken was twenty-eight dollars. This place was expensive! And I didn’t dare make trouble by wanting something different from the others. Well, maybe they wouldn’t notice if I didn’t eat much. I was still okay from the churro, though surprisingly, the feeling of fullnesswas starting to wear off. Maybe it was the delicious smells coming from the kitchen.
    The waiter came over to say