Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Ava had never been someone’s superhero before. She’d barely been wanted by her parents, her ex, or anyone else. She needed to convince Zach that they could work together. She didn’t want to let Dani down.
The scent of Zach’s terrible appetizer from the day before still hung in the air.
A sour note from the kraut, but also a hint of sweetness.
The contest had been broken into two parts, so today they would have the entrée round followed by the desserts.
Her mouth watered. Surely someone would incorporate the island’s famous fudge in their recipe.
The crowd noise around her intensified as the guests waited for the next round of cooking.
Ava turned into the slight breeze making its way through the tented pavilion.
Heavenly in the heat that had only risen as the chefs prepared their spaces.
She walked over to where Zach was prepping his small kitchen.
He stood behind the white folding table, chef’s jacket pristine over pin-striped chef’s pants. He’d rolled his jacket up to his elbows.
“Dani must be out of her mind.” Zach untied and retied his apron.
“Good morning to you too.” Ava rocked back on her heels.
“Good morning.” His grunt strengthened her resolve to win him over into being a teammate.
“I think she just didn’t catch on to the vibe between us. She’s pretty busy.” Ava pulled a rubber band out of her pocket and tied her hair back in a ponytail.
A half-amused expression bloomed on Zach’s face. “Are you always like this?”
Her stomach squeezed. “Like what?”
“Finding the best in everyone? Looking for ways to be positive all the time?”
The tightness eased. “Me? Positive? Ha. That’s a laugh. I’m super critical all the time. It’s what makes me a good food critic. Maybe even a good writer.” If he thought she was positive all the time, he had a lot to learn.
Zach shrugged one shoulder. “Other than the one very obvious time, I’ve never read anything you wrote that was critical without you jumping in to praise the chef as well. You look for the best parts of everything.”
Ugh. That one article was going to be between them forever. She really needed to clear the air on that. “Zach, about what I wrote about your restaurant—”
The bell sounded for the five-minute warning.
“Sorry, Peter Parker. Now’s not the time.” Zach picked up a recipe card from the table in front of him.
He was never going to let her apologize and explain. She gritted her teeth. “Fine. But at least agree to be my partner in the charity competition. Also, Peter Parker was a photographer, not a columnist. You’re thinking of Clark Kent, but I’m no Superman, er, woman.”
He raised an eyebrow at her, his lips shut tight.
“C’mon. Say yes. We have to help Dani out.”
He raised a brow, his gaze piercing. “So your charity can win, you mean?”
Probably not the time to tell him she hadn’t even picked a charity yet.
Yeah, she should probably choose the one her newspaper supported, Reading is for Everyone, but—“I’ll donate my portion to your charity.
There has to be something you care about, right?
” Oops. She hadn’t meant it quite like that.
“I mean, do you have a charity you like to support?”
The line that had formed between Zach’s eyes eased. “Actually, yes. The Silver Platter. They’re a group that helps people pay for culinary school. They helped me out when my parents refused to.”
“There you go, then.” A warmth spread through Ava as she pumped her fist. See, Zach could be reasonable. “We’ll play for the Silver Platter. They sound like a really worthy cause. I warn you, though, I’m very competitive.”
“I’ll take it under advisement. I’m guessing with your newbie cooking skills, I’ll have to bring my A-plus game to the cooking table.”
“Okay. Fair. But I make a great teammate. I’ll do whatever you say with a ‘yes, chef!’” This could be a great angle for her article.
Winning a cooking competition to help fund a culinary charity.
Plus, the view from inside she’d already planned on when Judson had signed her up.
“If you ask me to chop carrots, I’ll say ‘how many?’ If you want me to layer a sandwich, I’ll ask ‘how high?’”
Zach held up a hand. “Okay, I get it. You’ll do what you’re told. Somehow, I doubt that.” His voice was easygoing. Flirtatious? No. Couldn’t be.
The one-minute warning buzzer sounded.
“I should…” Ava threw a thumb over her shoulder. “Notes for my article and all that.”
“Go.” Zach shooed her away, but she found her feet had soldered themselves to the ground.
“What’s your plan for this round?” She fumbled for her notebook and pen.
“I was going to make ratatouille, but I changed my mind. I’m making almond-crusted walleye with a side of potato confit.”
“So fish and chips, then?”
Zach colored. Oh, he was fun to tease. His face broadened into a smile.
“Right. Fish and chips.”
“Lucky for you, that’s one of my favorites. Don’t turn this one green.” Her feet unstuck themselves from the ground, and she sped off to find someone to interview. Zach’s laugh chased her all the way to the edge of the tent. She’d come back later to press him for an answer.
She stepped out from under the shade of the cooking pavilion and into the sunny midday. An aroma of caramel corn wafted toward her. The food on the midway smelled amazing.
Her phone chimed with a text. Emily.
Emily
Guess what? I GOT THE JOB!!!
A string of emojis followed her words. Several shocked faces, then balloons, then the fingernail-painting lady, five stars, then, weirdly, the cowboy-hat-wearing smiley guy. Ava smiled and shook her head.
Ava
I knew you would! Congratulations. I’m so proud of you.
Emily
They want me in LA by the end of the month.
Ava’s heart pinched. She was happy for her friend.
But now there was one less reason to stay in Chicago.
She’d better make her letter shine. Too bad she couldn’t come up with the right words.
Every time she sat down with a notepad, her brain froze.
Tomorrow she would have to buckle down and write something, no matter what.
Lord, please help me! She couldn’t lose this house.
Not to mention write a series of articles that would win her a remote job.
She sent a few kiss emojis back to Emily.
Ava
Seriously, friend. I’m so thrilled. You’ll be amazing. I can’t wait for you to show me around the City of Angels.
Her phone pinged with another text, and she braced herself to decipher Emily’s emojis. Instead, her grandma’s name popped up.
Grandma
Just heard from your mom. Her yacht is being featured on Life Afloat again. Sounds like that’s why she didn’t make it home for Christmas. The episodes will start airing soon.
Ava suppressed an eye roll. There was always something.
Grandma tried to put a good spin on it, but the truth was, her parents found their occupations more interesting and important than their daughter.
Her mom could have chosen differently. The validation of the public and the glamour of her chosen lifestyle would win out over her daughter any day.
Still. No need to take that out on Grams.
Ava
Fun for her. Was Dad on this season?
Grandma
Not this time, I guess. Your mom is up by one.
She sent a thumbs-up emoji and then powered off her phone. That was enough news for one day.
She took a deep breath and curled her toes in her running shoes. She tipped her face toward the sun and closed her eyes. Be present in this moment.
“Ava? Are you okay?”
Her heart jumped as she opened her eyes and slapped a hand to her chest. “Dani!” Zach’s sister stood in front of her, flanked by an older man in a golf shirt and khaki slacks, his salt-and-pepper hair neatly combed.
On her other side was a taller man, closer to Dani’s age, with dark hair perfectly styled. Liam, maybe?
Dani confirmed her suspicions. “Ava, this is my husband, Liam.” She looped her arm through her spouse’s. Liam gazed down on her, his love evident in his eyes. She gestured to her other side. “And this is my dad, Daniel Sullivan.”
Daniel reached out a hand. “Nice to meet you, Ava. You’re one of the judges here?”
She nodded. “Yes, Dani invited me. I’m also writing a few newspaper articles covering the festival. I’m hoping to give your whole island some good press.”
“As the island tourism director, we appreciate it.” Dani gave a little half bow. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Other than having to eat Zach’s terrible sauerkraut sliders, I’m having a good time.” Ava raised an eyebrow.
Dani hooted a laugh. “I’m sorry he inflicted those on you.”
“Eh, they weren’t that bad.” Liar. “I know he can make amazing things. That one was just a miss. I’m trying to be unbiased, but I am looking forward to what he makes next.”
“Yes, we’re all looking forward to what is next for Zach.” Dani gave her a strange look, but Ava shrugged it off.
“Oh, look, there’s Ollie and Eliza.” Daniel waved at a couple holding hands and walking toward them.
When they joined the group, Daniel gestured to the man.
“Ava, this is my son Oliver and his girl, Eliza. They run the bookstore in town. Ollie is a twin to my daughter Kate. I don’t know if you’ll meet her this week. She’s a photographer.”
“Nice to meet you.” Ollie pumped her hand once. Ava noticed his features were similar to his father’s but more relaxed. His graphic tee advertised the bookstore.
Eliza tucked herself into his side. Straight dark-brown hair swung over her shoulders. Her brown eyes held a friendly curiosity. “Yes, nice to meet you. Welcome to Jonathon Island.”
“Everyone is so nice here. Is it always like this?” Ava liked Eliza’s shirt with its picture of a famous blue box. She’d watched a Doctor Who episode or two in college.
“Pretty much,” Dani said. “Of course, I’m being paid to say that.”
“No, you’re right,” Liam said.
Ollie threw an elbow into Liam’s arm. “You have to say that, you’re her husband.”