“And have you?”
Paul considered the question. “Most days, yes. My staff go home at reasonable hours. My customers can afford to eat here regularly. I know their names, their anniversaries, and what their children have been doing.” He looked down at his coffee cup. “It doesn’t sound like much, but it means a lot to me.”
Susan smiled. “It sounds like everything.”
Paul sighed. For so long, he’d worried that giving up his California success meant he’d failed. But when Susan looked at him with genuine respect and understanding, he wondered if he’d finally gotten something right.
“Thank you,” he said quietly.
“For what?”
“For not making me feel like I settled for less.”
Susan shook her head. “You didn’t settle. You chose something better.”
Paul thought about the choices he’d made and the people he’d met, especially Susan. “You’re right. My life wouldn’t be nearly as enjoyable if I hadn’t moved here.” The restaurant’s phone rang and Paul frowned. “I’ll have to get back to work soon.”
“Of course,” Susan said. “What are the next steps?”
He’d been thinking about how their collaboration could work all day. “What if we both spend the next week developing our appetizer recipes, then meet to compare them? We could do the same thing over the next couple of weeks for the main and dessert options. If we make our final selections in the restaurant’s kitchen, we can adjust the recipes as we go.”
“That sounds like a good plan,” Susan said.
Paul opened the calendar on his phone. “Does another meeting at two o’clock next Monday work for you?”
Susan checked the calendar on her phone. “That’s fine.”
“Send me through your list of ingredients by Friday,” Paul told Susan. “I’ll make sure the equipment is ready and we have everything we need.”
“Perfect.” Susan closed her notebook with satisfaction. “I can’t wait to create some new recipes.”
Paul believed her. More than that, he was grateful for her partnership. For the first time since opening the Grill, he felt like he was moving forward rather than just maintaining what he’d built. And if there was a small voice in the back of his mind whispering that he enjoyed Susan’s company for reasons beyond her culinary expertise, well, he’d deal with that later.
For now, they had recipes to develop and a menu to create. The rest could wait for another day.
Chapter 6
Susan wiped flour from her hands and checked the oven timer. On the counter beside her were three different appetizer recipes that she’d been working on since her meeting with Paul. The creative work should have been consuming her attention, but her mind kept drifting back to Paul.
There was a huge vulnerability in his eyes when he’d talked about his failed marriage. She knew that deep, sinking feeling all too well. Her business had consumed her. Family, friends, and any lasting connections had been worn down by her demanding schedule. She’d lived half a life and regretted every moment she’d missed.
A knock at the door startled her. Through the window, she saw Lynda’s truck in the driveway.
When she opened the front door, Lynda was bundled in a thick wool coat and wearing a scarf Susan hadn’t seen before. It was orange with purple thread that caught the morning light.
“Hi!” Lynda burst out. “I should have called first, but I was driving past, and I have news that I can’t wait to tell you.”
“Come in.” Susan stepped aside, smiling at her friend’s enthusiasm. “I was just working on some recipes. It’s perfect timing for a distraction.”
Lynda unwound her scarf and immediately zeroed in on the phyllo dough Susan had thawing on the counter. “Are you testing appetizers for Paul’s restaurant?”
“I am, and yes, you can try them. But you have to tell me your news first.” Susan gestured toward the kitchen table. “Coffee? Herbal tea?”
“Coffee would be amazing.” Lynda settled into a chair, her whole face glowing in a way Susan hadn’t seen since... well, since Lynda had fallen in love with Matt. “Matt and I set our wedding date last night.”
Susan’s hand froze halfway to the coffeepot. “You did?”
“December twenty-fourth. Christmas Eve.” The words tumbled out in a rush. “I know it’s soon, maybe too soon. But we were at the clinic after treating a puppy, and Matt just looked at me and said, ‘What about Christmas Eve for our wedding?’ And suddenly everything felt perfect.”
