Chapter Two
Chapter Two
Nikki
The air’s thick with the scent of saltwater and sun-warmed streets as I walk down the familiar path to Sia’s home. It doesn’t matter how many times I move down this route, it always makes me smile. It’s so different from being in the city. Out here the sound of waves and birds chirping isn’t washed out by endless traffic. That alone is worth the inconvenience of not having a Walmart nearby.
This place has always been home to me, but now I realize I want it to be. It’s not just the place I was raised, but the place where I want to someday raise my own kids. Now it’s my personal sanctuary in a world gone mad.
I posted my newest cooking vlog two hours ago and already it has a million views, which is enough money to make a decent living. Life really doesn’t get much better than this. I get to live where I want and make money doing something I absolutely adore. To top it all, the summer festival is kicking off, and I’m going to smash it. I can’t quit smiling.
Sia and Zach’s place is perched perfectly on the edge of the beach with a deck overlooking the endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean. As I turn the corner I see Sia lounging on a deck chair, gazing out at the horizon as she sips a drink, her long hair flowing in the breeze. She glances up and smiles as I pick up my pace to rush to her, both of us smiling. The beautiful thing about friendship is it’s endless and we never get tired of being together.
“Hello, beautiful,” she calls out. I rush up the steps to her back deck.
“It’s been so long,” I tell her with a laugh.
“I know, nearly twenty-four hours,” she agrees, making us both laugh.
“It always feels like forever, since we no longer live together,” I tell her.
She gives me a pouty look. “I adore Zach, but falling in love did take away my roommate.” I laugh again.
“I miss being roomies, but we’re approaching thirty so it’s time for us to grow up.”
“I want to be young forever. Adulthood is only for those who aren’t free. We’re going to be fine because we’re always going to dance in the rain,” she says.
“I fully agree with you,” I tell her as I move over and sit down, picking up the lemonade she has waiting for me. Delicious.
“Are you ready for the competition?” she asks.
I beam at her. “I’ve been working nonstop on some new recipes. This year’s prize is invaluable. I have to win.”
“You’re going to rock this, Nik. You learned last year what they’re expecting, and you’re the best cook in the universe.”
“You always say that, but you also love Taco Bell so I’m not so sure of your tastes,” I say with a laugh.
“Hey, those Cantina Burritos are the bomb,” she argues, making me laugh.
“Don’t get me wrong. Taco Bell is my secret shame. I honestly don’t see how I can love and appreciate a fine lobster and steak and still think a cheap burrito is good.”
“That’s because we like it all,” she says. “There’s nothing wrong with liking many different food choices.”
“I agree. I think it makes me a finer cook. It doesn’t always have to be a gourmet meal to be delicious. At times the simplest ingredients can make the absolute best dishes.”
“Okay, as much as I love talking about food, it’s time to talk about men,” she tells me. I laugh at this. We do love talking about the opposite sex.
“I love talking about men as much as food,” I agree. “Not that I have any men to talk about.”
“That’s so not true, but I’ll let you get away with it for now,” she says with a wink. Before I can respond, she continues talking. “I’m happy, Nik, so happy it’s almost too much to bear.”
“Brag, brag, brag,” I say, but I’m still smiling. I love how happy my best friend is.
“We get to travel, live together in this beautiful town I thought I hated but really love, and be a family. It’s amazing.”
“You guys are a sickingly perfect couple.”
She nods. “Zach’s been my rock through all of this craziness. I can’t believe I tried to run from him. Why do we make such foolish decisions in our lives?”
“Because we’re human and we’re going to make mistakes. It doesn’t mean we’re evil though. It just means we come out on the other side so much stronger because of the trials we go through,” I tell her.
“Then I should be incredibly strong because I screw up all of the time,” she says with a laugh.
“You’re simply building character. We both are.”
“Talking about mistakes. Any regrets on letting Victor slip away from you again?”
I gape at her. “I didn’t let him slip away. That would mean I was once holding on to him, which I have absolutely zero desire to do.”
“Oh, you’ve held on to him for many years. You’re being foolish trying to deny it,” she says.
I’m immediately shaking my head. “Victor Fortier will forever be my enemy,” I assure her.
“We’re not supposed to lie to each other, but since you’re trying to convince yourself of this, instead of me, I’ll let you get away with it. I know this since it was me a year ago, trying to convince myself I wasn’t in love and not hurting while missing Zach every single moment we were apart.”
“You know Victor’s once again in the cooking competition,” I say with a sigh.
She laughs. “Yep, I know. Mom’s told me all about it, and she’s loving every second of it.”
“Why?” I gasp, feeling betrayed.
“Because she sees the sparks flying between the two of you, as does the entire town, and you know there’s nothing this community likes more than an enemies to lovers romance.”
I roll my eyes. “That’s so not going to happen. The enemies part, sure, but not the lovers part.”
“Well, you mean not the lovers part again ?” she pushes with mischievousness in her eyes.
“You’re breaking the girl code. You know that’s something we don’t ever talk about,” I say.
“I’m very good at not talking about it, but he’s back and the sparks are going to be hot.”
“On the fire during our competition, but that’s all,” I tell her. “Apparently he’s planning on opening his own restaurant or something, according to the rumor mill.”
“That’s awesome. Is he planning on opening it here in town?”
“I don’t know, but it’s not awesome. That means he’ll be sticking around.”
“If you don’t care about him, what does it matter?” she pushes.
“Because I can’t stand him and don’t want to see him on a daily basis,” I say with far too much vigor, showing I do indeed care.
I can’t help but think of my history with Victor. Our relationship has been complicated for a very long time. We were always trying to one-up each other, but there really was a lot of sexual tension as well, if I’m being honest. We acted on that tension once or twice before I went running for the hills. How can I so desire someone I despise? Ugh, I’ll never understand my mind. He’s gone too far with cooking, though. This is my talent, my passion, and my dream. He needs to find his own.
“Maybe the two of you can cook together,” Sia suggests.
I shake my head. “No way. This is mine. He’s a mechanic.”
She laughs. “I don’t think so. He’s always liked working with his dad, but he’s never wanted to take over the business. This makes so much more sense. He was even a good cook in high school, always at the grills during events.”
“Grilling doesn’t make a cook,” I insist.
“Grilling makes the world go round. We saw last year that he can cook just as well on the stove top and in ovens as well.”
“Cooking isn’t a hobby for me, it’s my passion. I’ll make him cry in this competition, and then he’ll go away again,” I say.
Sia refills our drinks and takes a sip before responding. “I wouldn’t be so sure of that. I can see the fire in his eyes. I think he might want to win the competition and maybe your heart at the same time.”
“There’s not a chance of either of those things happening,” I quickly say. “This year’s prize is too valuable. It’s mine. My heart’s locked firmly away as well. If I do give it away, it certainly won’t be to Victor Fortier.”
“I know you’ll win, Nik, I’m just thinking the two of you could do some collaborating. Look at me and how happy I am right now. Being in love is freeing. It seems like it will be a noose, but it’s really the wings that make us fly.”
“I don’t have time for love right now. That’s a one-way street. I have too many places I want to travel to and I refuse to be tied down.”
“Let’s walk,” she says as we rise. We step onto the beach and start walking. Nothing soothes our emotions more than being at the water’s edge.
We kick off our shoes and dip our toes in the water and the gentle waves wash away my stress. I push thoughts of Victor from my mind. I’m with my best friend right now and that’s all that matters. There will be plenty of time tomorrow to stress on what’s coming next. For now, this is mine, and nothing will stop me.