Chapter 11 #2
“I love the small-town vibe here. It makes me feel safe.” Ava pulled the strap of her bag up and over her head so it would stop slapping her with every step.
“Yeah, maybe. Safe in some ways, I guess.”
“What do you mean?”
“I just have a hard time trusting people.” Zach lifted a shoulder and let it drop.
“Why is that?”
Zach let out a long breath. “Probably because they will always betray you.”
Her heart dropped. “Always? That’s a little harsh.”
“I’ve found it to be true in my life,” Zach said.
“Maybe you’re always pushing them away. Maybe you’re misunderstanding them.” She didn’t trust easily either, but she couldn’t just let his all-or-nothing statement stand.
“Oh, like the time in tenth grade when my friend persuaded me to tell him who I liked and then he spread that secret around the school? My classmates teased me for the rest of the year because the girl was way out of my league. Turns out he had done it to get back at me for something I didn’t even do.
” Zach shoved his hands in his pockets. “Talk about betrayal.”
“Zach.” Ava paused on the trail. An old maple arched over them, the last rays of dappled sunshine painting the path. She waited until he met her eyes. “I hate to break it to you, but tenth grade was like two decades ago. I think it’s time to move on.” She raised an eyebrow.
He broke into a smile. “Fair point. I mostly mentioned it to show you that no one can be trusted. Up until that day, I’d thought that guy was my best friend. He showed me differently.”
“Kids can be cruel.” That old saying proved itself true daily.
“If only it were just kids. My ex-fiancée confirmed my hypothesis.”
He had an ex-fiancée? They were back at the beginning of the walking loop, but Zach showed no signs of slowing down, so Ava kept pace as they began a second loop.
“Care to share?” The sun was hanging low on the horizon. From this point they could look out over Lake Huron. Silvery waves capped the surface of the lake, the wind offshore churning up dark, rough waves.
“Not much to tell.” Zach stared straight ahead. “I caught her with my friend a few weeks before we were supposed to get married. I guess she wasn’t interested in being with someone who was still finding his way.”
“I’m sorry, Zach.” No wonder it was so hard for him to develop relationships. His guard would have to be up all the time. “It was totally her loss. She threw away an amazing person.”
“Really?” He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, one side of his mouth quirked up. “Ava Harper, what are you saying? Do you tolerate me?”
She felt the heat rise in her cheeks. He was being vulnerable. Maybe she should meet him with some vulnerability of her own. She swallowed.
“Actually, Zach Sullivan, I—I think I like you.” She liked him? How embarrassing. What was she? Fifteen? The flush spread down her neck and arms. She quickened her pace and heard him scrambling to catch up with her.
“Ava, wait.”
“I think this walk was a mistake.”
He reached out and snagged her hand. “Just hold up a minute.”
She stopped and faced him, cheeks burning. “I never should have said anything. You must think I’m ridiculous.”
“I like you too.”
Her heart stopped for a beat before leaping to life again. A smile spread across her face, matching the one on his. They stood and grinned at each other for a few heartbeats before Zach squeezed her hand.
“I guess we’re both ridiculous.” His low voice did funny things to her insides.
The ache in her feet no longer mattered. Not when she was walking on clouds.
Had he lost his mind?
He’d been drawn to Ava after the wedding like a hungry man to a buffet table. In her red capris, long blue shirt, with a leather bag slung over her shoulder, she looked more like an islander than an outsider.
From their perch near the Lake Huron overlook, they could see a few sailboats bobbing on the water. Zach blinked at Ava a few times. Had he really just confessed to having a crush on her?
Maybe it was Dani’s and Ollie’s teasing from earlier, maybe it was the intimacy of this walk they were on, or maybe it was Pastor Arnie’s message tonight about trust, but something had shifted in him when she admitted to liking him. He couldn’t hold back the truth.
He was falling for Ava.
Across from him, Ava’s cheeks had pinked in a way that he found irresistible. The freckles scattered across her nose stood out even more. She gazed up at him from under her blonde lashes and gave two slow blinks.
“Why, Zach Sullivan.” She imitated a Southern belle. Badly. “Would you say you tolerate me?”
He squeezed her hand and laughed. Wait. He was still holding her hand? Her slim, cool fingers wrapped around his and squeezed back. “It looks like I do.”
He’d just outlined all the reasons not to have faith in people. But maybe it was time to try trusting someone again.
Around them, the light was fading fast.
“Should we walk back to the reception?” Zach let her hand go, then crossed his arms to keep from picking it up again.
“Sure,” she said. They fell into step again.
The words Dani had said about his arrogance toward Ava being in the competition popped into his mind. They brought a stone to his belly. Yeah, he could see how he’d been a jerk.
“Listen, Ava.” He cleared his throat. Good thing the light had faded. Easier to admit wrongdoing when Ava’s piercing gaze wasn’t drilling into his head.
“Mm-hmm?”
“I feel like I should apologize for my rudeness about you just being the helper for our charity team.” His hands felt slick.
Next to him, Ava gave a low chuckle. “Yeah, I guess you were kind of rude, but I wasn’t offended. If it makes you feel better, I forgive you. I’m well aware of what I bring to this team. Which is practically nothing.”
“That’s not true.” The stone in his belly dissolved at her absolution and admission. “You bring enthusiasm, and heart, and ideas. That’s not nothing. In fact, those are things that can’t be taught.” Her quiet thank-you sent a spear through his heart. “Seriously, Ava. You are pretty amazing.”
He didn’t realize she’d stopped until he was a few paces ahead. He looked back at her. Her gaze was soft. She blinked several times. “Ava?”
“Nobody’s ever told me I’m amazing before.” Ava clasped her hands in front of her.
“Well, it’s true. You’re not like anyone else, and you’re amazing.
I’ll just have to keep reminding you. You did great in the class too.
” He admired her ability to chat with anyone and to find something positive to say about even the most terrible chopping skills.
“You had everyone almost literally eating out of your hands. I don’t know how you kept calm through all that chaos. ”
Ava caught up with him, and they fell into an easy walking rhythm again. “It can’t be much different than a regular kitchen during the dinner rush.”
“Sure, but at least then everyone knows what they’re supposed to be doing.” He held a finger in the air. “A well-run kitchen is a thing of beauty. A cooking class, that’s just controlled chaos.”
“You did pretty well too. Charming the ladies, building up the men.” She gave him a toothy grin. “I think you could grow to enjoy the classes.”
“Only if you’re there to tame the crazy ones.” They passed under a streetlight, and he glanced down at her. A pleased smile covered her lips.
If he stayed in Chicago, he could see that smile all the time.
“Have you heard anything back about your house?” They were nearing the beginning of the path. Maybe Ava would agree to another loop. He didn’t want this walk to end.
“No. I’m not too hopeful. Sounds like everyone who put in an offer also had the idea of submitting a personal letter. I’m trying to keep my expectations low.”
He could hear the defeat in her voice. “The right place is out there for you. I know it.”
“Mia helped me find the Bible verse Pastor Arnie mentioned tonight. About getting the desires of our hearts,” Ava said. “I told God I was leaving it in His hands, but I keep snatching it back.”
He laughed. “I know the feeling.”
For the first time, Zach felt a pang about moving away from Chicago. If he convinced Anne Green to give him a job and he landed on the West Coast, he’d likely never see Ava again. Then again, if the job with Paul Hawkeye panned out, he could be in Chicago indefinitely.
He should find out what neighborhood she was moving to. Maybe they would live closer now.
“Where—”
“Zach!”
He whipped around. His dad strode toward them. Great timing, Dad. Like always.
“I thought that was you.” His dad looked like he’d just stepped off a yacht in his slacks and a sport coat. His hair ruffled in the wind. A gold watch glittered on his wrist. He’d spotted him earlier but hadn’t stopped to chat. “And Ava, right?”
Zach suppressed a nearly involuntary grimace. “Dad, this is Ava Harper. She’s a food writer for the Chicago Herald and my teammate in the competition this weekend.” He gestured at his dad. “Ava, this is my dad, Daniel Sullivan.”
Ava’s eyes rounded. Was she remembering that this was the man who’d burned down the hotel ten years ago?
“We actually met earlier, though we didn’t really get to chat. So much was going on.” To her credit, Ava’s mouth turned up in a smile as she extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Sullivan. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Zach’s dad roared with laughter as he shook her hand. “I just bet you have. Don’t worry. I’m a changed man. Or at least, I’m trying.”
Zach’s thoughts tangled. Anger, regret, and love all fought for dominance. He needed to sort these things out. Another person he would have to practice forgiving.
“Are you two walking back over to the reception? I’ll join you.” Without missing a beat, his dad fell into step beside them. “Ava, tell me something about yourself.”
“There’s not much to tell. I’m a food writer.” Ava clutched the strap of her bag with both hands. “I’m hoping to move into a position that offers travel. My editor is basing that on how well my articles do from this trip.”
“What’s the worst thing you’ve ever eaten?” His dad’s eager question made Ava laugh.
With a rueful glance at Zach, Ava answered. “I think it was whatever Zach was trying to serve last weekend. Sorry, Zach.”
He put both hands in the air. “No harm done. I know it was terrible. Those flavors should have worked. But also, I never should have tried something new for a competition unless I’d already done it before.”
“We’re making pasties for the charity competition,” Ava said.
“Ahhh.” Daniel nodded. “Very Michigan. I like it. How about the starter course?”
“We’re going with mushroom tarts for the appetizer,” Zach said. “Going traditional to showcase the very best parts of the Midwest and Jonathon Island.”
The picnic tables for the reception came into view just beyond the space where the ceremony took place. Mason jars holding candles glowed in every available space between platters groaning with fried chicken.
“Smart.”
“This competition means a lot to me.” He squared up his shoulders. “I’d like to win for the Silver Platter. They could use the funds.” Young RJ from his cooking class at Escargot flashed through his mind. If the Silver Platter got a fresh infusion of funds, they could help lots of RJs.
“Right. The Silver Platter. I looked them up. Great organization.” His dad patted him on the shoulder, then did the same to Ava. “Best of luck to you both.” He gestured to the dessert table. “Anyone need some chocolate cake?”
“Always,” Ava said. “I’ll walk with you.”
Feeling like a very obvious third wheel, Zach trailed behind them, the silence amplifying his awkwardness.
“Ava,” his dad said, “did anyone ever tell you about how Dani got me to agree to rebuild this place?”
Ava gave Zach a look of apology before turning back to his dad. “I don’t think so.”
“I’ll give you the CliffsNotes version.” His dad put an arm across her shoulder and led her toward the desserts. “Maybe you’d want to use it in your newspaper article.”
Ava looked back at Zach over her shoulder. “Sorry,” she mouthed.
His heart stilled. “It’s fine,” he mouthed back.
And it really was fine. Because on the walk, he’d realized that he had a big problem to sort through. Sure, he liked Ava, but was there any future for them? And did he even want one? What would a relationship look like if he moved to the coast to follow his dreams?