“I’m excited to see what you will prepare tonight.” He looked around appreciatively. “This is a unique concept you have here.”
“Thanks.”
“Where did you study?” he asked as he tied his apron around him.
“Oh, I’m self-taught,” I said.
A look of surprise and something else flashed in his eyes.
“Hold that thought,” I said. “I need to see to my guests.”
I turned to the four couples who’d already entered and were milling around. A few of them were toward the front of the store gazing at the paintings from previous sessions. “Go ahead and find the station you’d like to sit at. I’ll bring out the prepped food in a few minutes.”
The couples thanked me and went to find the cooking station they wanted.
“Hope we aren’t late,” Mom said as she, Gilda, and a reluctant Jacob came strolling through the door.
“I’m sorry,” he mouthed.
I put on a fake smile. “Mom, so glad you guys could make it. Of course, I usually limit to two per station.”
“Honey,” Mom said, “you and I both know manners dictate we invite new friends out.” Mom and Gilda each grabbed hold of one of Jacob’s arms. “And since Jacob is alone and won’t have his first date until tomorrow night, we couldn’t very well let him sit at home tonight.”
Jacob quirked an eyebrow. “I could have called on Daniel if—”
“Nonsense,” Gilda said. “Yummy thing like you needs to be out on the town with equally yummy-looking women, not sitting at home hanging with another guy drinking beer.”
Jacob gave me a slow grin, and even though I screamed at myself to not be affected…I totally was. His smile did the craziest things to my insides.
I shook my head to clear my wayward thoughts. “Jonathan just arrived.” I looked at Mom. “Much better. I’m actually impressed.”
“We figured you’d like him,” Gilda said. “He’s a lot like you since he’s a chef and all.”
“Where did you find him?” I asked.
“Senior center secrets,” Gilda said. “We’d have to kill you if we told you.”
I snorted. “Channeling Ingrid now are you?”
Gilda shrugged.
“So you like him?” Jacob asked.
I bit my lip, unsure of what to say. If I said no, I’d be lying and he’d probably see right through me. But if I said yes, I might push him away. And then I kicked myself. What was I doing? I wanted to push him away!
“So far he’s okay,” I said. “I haven’t really had a lot of time to speak with him. But he’s already hands down better than Roger. This guy at least asked me a question and didn’t just talk about himself.”
“That’s great,” Jacob said.
Only I didn’t get the idea Jacob thought it was great. There was something in his voice that said he wasn’t being truthful. I caught him sizing up Jonathan and decided to get them seated before things got too awkward.
I clapped my hands together and introduced myself. There were a few returning couples, so they knew what to expect.
I brought out the food to each station and then walked to the front of the class where I’d demonstrate what to do. Jonathan sidled up next to me. “I assume you have no objection if I stand next to you while you teach?”
I didn’t mind…but I wasn’t sure I would have phrased it quite the way he did. Like he didn’t really care what my answer was, he was going to stand there regardless. Or maybe I was just being overly-sensitive? “Of course not.”
I turned and addressed the others. “So tonight we’re going to learn how to prepare a quick, easy meal.”
