“Try this—nice balance with the wine.”
When Cat and Matt start talking technical executive chef matters, Jude scoots closer to me in the booth. “Do you know Matt’s reaction when Cat told him she and I were going to open a place together?”
I shake my head. “Supportive? That would be my guess.”
“You would be wrong.” Jude’s shoulders press back as he relaxes and sips some wine. “He told her she was crazy to have the same person in her kitchen and in her bed. Cautioned her against falling in love with the food and not the person.”
“Oh.”
“When I saw that video he did, the one with the mushrooms? I knew he was hooked on someone.”
“Then? That was a while back.”
Jude laughs. “Because when Matt gets intense, like he is in the kitchen, like he is with you, that’s what matters to him. That’s why all this other mundane stuff other people get worked up about just flies by him, because he means for it to.”
“He did let me move my cat into his apartment without thinking about it.”
“And most people would have overthought that for days.” Jude puts a hand on my arm. “I’m telling you that because he fell for you before he even knew you could bake. I don’t think he once felt the same hesitation for himself he felt for Cat.”
“I’m still not sure it would be a good idea. People will talk about what happened at Glazed. It would still taint Summit House by association.”
Jude laughs. “Oh, honey, they are already talking. The outrage that a restaurant wouldn’t even hear your side is on par with the outrage of stealing recipes or shopping around trade secrets. People saw your talent, Theo. That stands alone.”
“Maybe, but still. Some people will believe what they said about me at first and brush off the real story.”
“I can’t believe Jack hasn’t sued them up one side and down the other.”
“Well, he wanted to.”
“And you pulled him back?” Jude taps a finger at his lips. “The thing is, Theo, people in this business are always going to have something to say. A plating for a dish is too basic, too contrived, too . . .whatever. You have to find the path that makes you happy. Whatyouwant. Don’t worry if you need time to figure out what that is. Matt will understand.”
“Summit House is his baby, his dream, Jude. I can’t do anything that would put it in danger.”
Jude raises an eyebrow. “The idea of Summit House was Matt’s, and that idea included a dessert menu as innovative as his plates. Without a pastry chef that fits him, it’s still in danger of losing that.”
Chapter 24: Matt
“Our guests this morning are a rare treat,” the effervescent host says as Theo and I stand to the side of the stage, waiting to be told when to walk on.
I run a hand down my buttondown and dress slacks, a contrast to Theo’s outfit. Last night after we met with Jude and Cat, we had time to do some shopping. His choice, when left to it, were black ripped jeans, black boots, and a white, long-sleeved tee that fits tight to his frame. Leather bracelets fall at his wrist, and with his dark hair and lip piercing, he looks like a rockstar, not a pastry chef.
“You might know Matt Mann from his highly rated restaurant, Summit House, in Bear Valley, Colorado, or his cooking demos with his niece that get millions of views, but almost everyone watched as Matt and Theo Donahue showed us how to make an Italian meal all while being boyfriend goals in their latest video.”
The part where I tie the apron around Theo plays across the screen at the back of the stage, and I lean over and give Theo a swift kiss.
The crowd roars, the camera already on us as we are prompted to walk out. That kiss was just televised over the western marketAmerican Morningserves. Theo blushes hard, and I grab his hand in mine.
The rest of the demo is a blur. This is a morning show with three main hosts, so they each ask questions as we get to work. As we work side by side on a savory pastry most anyone watching can make into a quick weeknight dinner, Theo’s confidence grows and grows.
When the hosts finally sink their teeth into the final product (prepped in advance, of course), I wrap my arm around Theo’s waist and kiss his head, a move the crowd seems to like as much as the food.
Between our dinner with Cat and Jude, and this demo, I have no doubt in my mind at all about Theo coming to Summit House. Not everyone can make that relationship work, but we can.
As I stand in the hallway behind the scenes, waiting for new fans to finish rushing Theo, which is half the morning show crew, the only doubt is what Theo wants. And giving him time to figure it out.
“Matt Mann?” an incredulous voice says, and I look up.
“Well, if it isn’t Caswell Vaughn.” I instinctively move in to hug Cas, but a big guy stops me before I even see him standing there.
