Zinnia took a small sip of the chicken tinola, letting the warm, savory broth fill her mouth. She closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the taste before looking up at Samuel with a soft smile.
"This is really good, Sam," she said, her voice gentle and sincere. "Thank you."
Samuel's heart skipped a beat. He'd hoped she would like it, but seeing her smile over something he made felt like a small victory. "I'm glad," he said, trying to keep his tone casual, though there was a hint of relief in his eyes. "I wasn't sure how it would turn out."
Zinnia took another bite, letting the warmth spread through her. "You've been practicing, haven't you?" she teased, raising an eyebrow. "It's almost as good as the tinola my mom makes."
Samuel chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "I have, actually. But your mom's is still unbeatable."
