My hands shake as I sign the contract, and looking at Sky, he's not doing much better.
We walk out of the town hall in silence, neither of us saying anything until we're in front of Vino.
I have an idea, so I grab Sky's hand and pull him to the bookstore.
We walk past the checkout desk and wave at Briar, who's ringing up a purchase. Sometimes I come over before starting my shift at the bar to look at their selection of cookbooks, and I've seen him with a group of people, talking about the books they've read.
I've always enjoyed reading, especially crime fiction. But with the schedule I kept as a chef, my body clock rarely aligned with most people's, so I never bothered joining a book club.
"What are we doing here?" Sky asks.
"First things first. Coffee? I can't get you anything stronger at this time of day."
"Coffee would be good, thanks."
I grab us drinks from the coffee counter and bring them back to the comfy couches in the event area. We take up a three-seater and face each other. I'm glad there aren’t any events going on right now, so apart from a few people browsing, it's fairly quiet around us.
"Are we really doing this?" Skyler whispers, looking around as if to ensure we're not overheard.
"I guess we are. Are you as freaked out as I am?"
He nods.
I'm holding the folder with all of the information, so I open it between us.
The more I read, the more confident I become about our chances at winning this. Ideas take form in my head quickly, and I realize I need to write them down.
"Where are you going?" Sky asks.
"Just buying a notebook. I'll be right back."
I walk over to the desk where there's a range of fancy notebooks, but I'm looking for something a little less expensive.
"Can I help you with anything?" Briar asks.
"Yeah, I need a notebook, but nothing fancy. I just want to write down some stuff, and it’ll probably end up with coffee stains on it, so I don't want to spend much money on it."
He points at a small display on the opposite side of the checkout desk, and I see a range of chicken-themed stationery. I remember Molly telling me how Harrison, the owner of V&V, met his now-boyfriend after some confusion over a chicken delivery.
The pictures on all the items are ridiculously adorable, and I have to contain myself to not spend money I really don't have.
I grab a notepad and a pen and pay for it. On my way back to Sky, I notice he looks a little lost in himself.
"Hey, you okay?"
He nods and smiles at me. I try not to think about how amazing it feels every time Sky smiles at me.
"Okay so, clearly there are a few things we need to do on this list, but let's put that to one side. I think we have a real shot at this," I say.
"You do?"
"Yeah."
"How? How are you so confident?"
"Because, my dear friend, I didn't become the youngest hot thing in the Paris restaurant scene for nothing. Well, before my reputation got shredded to pieces, of course. Anyway, we're going to win this because I know food, you own the main attraction, and we both know how to run a business."
I don't think Sky's smile could get any wider. His hair has grown a little longer since I met him that first night at the bar. His beard is longer than a little scruff, and I wonder how it would feel to…
