Chapter 15: Matt
The flight from Denver to Dallas for the food festival is quick and uneventful, other than collecting my knives in the airport, which is always a pain.
After I check in to the hotel, I make my way downstairs and over to the convention center. I have some time before I meet Cat and Jude for dinner, so I browse the booths as well as the stations for food demos.
Over this week, I will judge a kids’ competition, do a demo of my own, and also record a video with the champion from the kids’ competition. The last video Piper and Liam did gives me some hope. I’d feel even better if Theo were here, but I meant what I said about giving him space.
I watch an older woman’s demonstration—it’s pastry, not my thing—but something about the way she holds her utensils captures my attention. My brain flashes back to Theo in my kitchen.
Jesus. I have Theo on the brain. Obsessed, even though he might be ready to tell me “no” when I get back to Bear Valley. When we were talking in my hot tub, I thought I saw a flash of my same feelings, but I also saw panic. Fear. I really meant I can’t just do sex with Theo and not get feelings involved. They already are. So either I need to end this, or I need a green light on more. I couldn’t make myself say that so strongly, though.
“Matt Mann!” A clear voice rings behind me. Cat and Jude approach, walking hand and hand. I embrace both of them, holding on maybe a bit too long, but it feels good to see my friends.
“God it’s good to see you in person. It’s been a minute since the wedding of the year,” Cat says, and Jude hands me a sample of something from one of the adjoining booths. I love Cat and Jude. Time with them reminds me of when my brothers and I were all spread out—living lives or in college, not all of us in Bear Valley. Still, when we came together, it was just like this, as if no time passed at all.
“This is good.” I point to the shrimp bite Jude handed me. “How about that writeup inBride’s Magazineabout your menu for the wedding?”
“Already displayed proudly, and subtly.” Cat smiles.
“You checking out the pastry?” Jude nods to the demonstration. “It’s good but not as good as your guy.”
“My guy? I’m still without a pastry chef, man.”
“Really? After that picture you sent me? I would have thought it would be a done deal, and I just missed the announcement. Still haven’t found him?”
“Not a clue.”
“The fuck you say.” Jude’s eyes go wide, and he accepts a drink from Cat. “There has got to be a story.”
I snort. “Story is the coffee house in Bear Valley has someone baking for them, someone with a lot of talent.”
“Talent like that doesn’t come by every day, man.”
We spend the afternoon sampling and watching and learning, only departing when we have to freshen up for dinner. None of us need more, but food trucks from all over the country are lined up outside, and I am not about to turn that down.
“Nice.” I appreciate the street food, our meal tonight. We are sprawled out across a blue picnic table, loaded with our finds. “I feel like I am in an Americana version of the Singapore Hawker Stalls.” What would Theo think of the open-air market in Singapore? I imagine his face lighting up like it does when he tastes something he enjoys, then pull back from spinning international travel scenarios for us just yet.
“And there it is.” Cat observes something on my face as we dig in. “Try this.” She scoops something onto Jude’s plate, focus back on me. “That smile. Did you take my advice about New Year’s? Let Bear Valley work its love voodoo?”
I clear my throat, taking a quick drink of water. “I did meet someone.”
“Fucking knew it,” Jude says, followed by, “You have to try this.” Something gets added to my plate.
“Details.” Cat motions with her hand.
How to describe Theo? “He’s gorgeous, but the bone-deep kind.”
“Poetic. Nice. Eat this, Cat.”
At Jude’s words, I shrug. It sure sounds better thanhe tastes like powdered donuts everywhere, and that’s basically love at first sight.
Her eyes dance with laughter. “Of course he’s a poet now.”
“We are taking it slow. But I hope when we get back, things move forward a bit.” Or he breaks it off completely.
“Tell me about this thing you are doing here? Kids’ competition?” Cat asks.
“You can thank my niece for that one. She’s basically the family’s social media presence.”
