Hilary was interested in hiring her, however. That was something. She wanted a full dinner for two, complete with appetizers and dessert boards, and she needed it tomorrow night. Her text said she would pay extra for any rush fees and asked if Marissa could also create a romantic holiday tablescape to accompany the dinner.
Marissa hurried inside to do some math to send Hilary a quote. It wouldn’t be cheap, and she did tack on an extra fifty dollars for the last-minute booking.
She paced her parents’ kitchen while she waited for Hilary to respond.
Was the rush fee too much?
Any cash right now was a good thing.
Maybe she’d been too greedy. Maybe she should send another text saying she would waive the rush fee.
While her anxiety swirled out of control, Hilary responded with a thumbs-up and her home address.
Marissa went straight to work sketching out a romantic holiday meal. She ignored a lengthy, rambling, yet undeniably sweet apology message from William. Charm or no charm, she was done with the guy for good.
As she threw herself into her work, putting together a menu for individual Yorkshire puddings and a chocolate fondue board, she couldn’t believe that just earlier in the day, she might haveimagined dipping strawberries into creamy dark chocolate with William sitting across a candlelit table.
Her lips recalled the feeling of his—soft, warm, searching.
God, stop it.
She never wanted to see his face again.
As in ever.
This was good. She had something to focus on and a new client. Hilary was well-connected in Bend and throughout Central Oregon. If Marissa could impress her with a personalized catered dinner, Hilary might recommend her for future events with the Chamber of Commerce.
Her dream of winning Passport to the Holidays was dead, but maybe—just maybe—there was the slightest chance that Yes, Cheese still had a fighting shot to get off the ground.
FIFTY
HILARY
Hilary couldn’t contain her nerves. She kept walking from the living room to the kitchen and back again in a loop. Marissa was due to arrive any minute. She was bringing the holiday feast and decorations. Hilary had given her creative license but had asked her to make Ben’s favorites.
Ben loved tradition. And there was nothing like Christmas for tradition. She requested Marissa blend her modern boards with classics like Yorkshire pudding and spiced gingerbread with fresh whipped cream and cranberry sauce.
The menu didn’t fall into Marissa’s traditional cheese boards, but she had seemed eager to accommodate Hilary’s requests, and Hilary was glad to give her the business. She felt terrible to have to disqualify Marissa. When she had told William about Parker turning them in, she could tell he had been genuinely shocked. She had the sense he would do everything in his power to make sure that Marissa booked many more events around town. That was such a Ben move.
Ben.
Ben, she sighed and began pacing again.
Would he show?
Especially after she had taken the mayor’s call the other night, she had taken a page from his book and dialed up the romance. Ben was the one in their relationship who had planned date nights and brought her flowers. It was her turn to reciprocate. Instead of texting him, she had designed a formal invitation to dinner and dropped it off at the gym. The invitation requested he arrive in formal attire. Hilary had bought a new dress for the occasion and had her hair and nails done.
It made her realize how much she had taken their relationship for granted. Prepping and primping for their dinner had made the spark that she was worried had gone out, fully ignite. It felt like this was their first date.
The doorbell rang, causing Hilary to startle. She laughed at her nerves and went to answer the door. Marissa was right on time. She was dressed in corduroy overalls, snow boots, and a Yes, Cheese apron. Her hair was tied in a ponytail and her arms laden with boxes and bags of delectable treats.
“Good evening, dinner has arrived.” She held up two giant bags that smelled so good. Hilary wanted to tear them open and dive right in.
“Can I help you unload?” Hilary offered, smoothing down her silky, low-cut emerald green dress, trying to quench the quiver of nerves in her stomach.
“Nope. I’ll do it all. Just direct me where to set up.”
Hilary breathed in the scent of garlic and fresh-from-the-oven bread. “Wow, that smells amazing.”
