“I’ll take a look.”
“So, how is the apartment?” Finn asks.
“A hundred fucking times better than the shithole I was living in.”
I met Finn shortly after I moved to California. I was a young kid with a tragic backstory who wanted to get out of this sleepy town. Same tragic story as the next—parents died young, left alone to navigate young adulthood, fucked up at every turn, foolishly following my dreams before I even knew what they were.
That last part… that’s probably just me.
I dreamed of leaving this tiny town where everyone knows everyone’s business. I wanted the big kitchens, the white jackets, the whole Michelin fantasy—none of which Camden is exactly famous for.
That’s what I’dthoughtI wanted, but turns out that world isn’t for me. It’s more about how quickly you can advance your career, and less about the love of cooking. I won’t do that. I won’t sacrifice one for the other.
I’ve lost pieces of myself before. This isn’t going to be one of them. Cooking is the one thing that still feels truly authentic to me—with steady hands, the perfect heat, and genuine flavors. If I let that go, then what’s left? That would be the real failure.
I can’t fail the two people who loved me fiercely and had strong feelings about following your dreams. Sometimes, those dreams need to pivot, so that’s what I’m doing.
“I was talking to Lucas the other day,” I mention to Finn.
The table wobbles, causing me to quickly grab my beer before it topples over and spills everywhere. I look up at Dom, who’s holding on to the table, staring down at his drink and looking like it killed his beloved dog.Chill, dude.
“Oh yeah? How is he? Still a sore loser who needs to call his Daddy?” Finn jokes, setting his beer back on the table once it settles.
“Actually, his Daddy broke up with him.”
“Oh, ouch, my bad.”
“Yeah, he’s pretty torn up about it. Sounds like he’s thinking of flying out here for a few weeks. Says he needs cuddle time.” I roll my eyes.
Finn chuckles. “Always a needy little fucker.”
Lucas is a great guy, and he and Finn get along fairly well. They’re just not allowed to playMario Karttogether. Feelings get hurt.
“Wait? A few weeks. Where is he going to sleep?”
“Well, for now, he’s going to be sleeping on my couch.” I wince; we both know sharing a room with Lucas can be… difficult. He’s… messy and a loud sleeper, and I’m not talking about snoring. I’m talking tossing and turning, and little grunts and moans with every fucking shift in position.
The table wobbles again, this time with a grunt from Dom as he gets up.We need a stack of napkins.“I’m going to buy another round. Anyone need anything else?” he all but barks out. My brows rise, and I shake my head.
What’s gotten into him?
I turn to look at Finn, who just shrugs.
The bastard knows what’s going on because whatever Dom’s babysitting act is, Spencer’s in on it, and he’s a horrible liar. The other day, I dropped a hot plate—which, to be fair, was really fucking hot—and Spencer all but pushed me out the door, telling me I work too hard and need to find time for myself before I burn out. He’s already started the process of hiring someone to help in the kitchen.
He has no idea of the burnout I’ve already been through, and this isn’t it. Frustration? Maybe. Burnout? No.
“We should all get together when Lucas is in town,” Finn says.
“Yes, let’s do that,” I agree.
Spencer comes up behind Finn and wraps his arms around his shoulders. “Finn, honey. I don’t want you to panic.”
Finn turns his head. “Panic? What’s going on? Why would you say panic? Oh god, it’s Mazie, isn’t it?”
I laugh. Spencer is usually the one panicking, but this little girl has Finn so tightly wound around her finger, I fear the day she asks for a pony. I never pictured Finn with a kid. Especially knowing what his life was like back in California. But here, in this sleepy little town with his adorkable bookstore geek, I can’t see his life any other way.
I’m so happy he found love. He deserves it the most out of anyone I know. And Mazie is so fucking adorable, how could he not spoil her rotten? We all have our fingers crossed that the paperwork to adopt Mazie gets processed soon.
