Daphne looked from Linday to Travis, eyes wide. “You’re really suggesting a cooking contest between me and Finn? With the whole town participating?”
“Exactly.” Travis’s grin spread to massive proportions. “Think of it as the ultimate showdown, but with a mutual prize. Both of you will get visibility, regardless of who wins.”
“Wednesday night is the festival’s kick-off dinner,” Lindsay continued, clearly already picturing it all. “There’ll be dancing after. It’s a perfect moment to showcase what you both do best.”
The vision took root and grew in Finn’s mind. Yes, he was new to Wisteria and he didn’t even know what the festival was, let alone how many people would be there. But the idea of going head-to-head with Daphne? Publicly? Somehow it didn’t feel like a threat.
It felt like an opportunity.
“That’s two days away,” Daphne squeaked.
Sheneeded the visibility. The chance to be brave. “Daph,” he said gently, waiting until her eyes flicked up to his. “You said business was up. That the online attention was helping. This—this is a good idea. Strange, perhaps. But good. For everyone.”
She stared at him like he’d grown two heads.
Lindsay jumped in. “The people are already getting into your rivalry, and it’s making news outside of Wisteria. Extra tourists will come. More business. It will benefit the entire community, Daphne, which I know you love.” She took Daphne’s hand across the counter. “We can’t invite them all to the wedding, but this is a wonderful way for them to play a part and for us to show our appreciation for them too.”
“And support two caterers whose work we’ve come to admire,” Travis added.
Daphne kept blinking and shifting her attention to each face in the room like a trapped rabbit. Poor hen.
Time to rescue her—or push her buttons. Maybe both.
“Daphne?” He let his smile stretch slow and lazy. “If you’re afraid I’ll best you in front of the whole town, maybe we should decline. Wouldn’t want to embarrass you on your home turf.”
Her blinking stopped cold.
She turned her head with exaggerated calm and pinned him with a stare hot enough to scald.
“Best me?” she repeated, folding her arms like she was preparing for war.
“You do seem incredibly reluctant,” he said mildly, though the wink that followed likely ruined any attempt at innocence.
Her glare was pure fire. Well, not completely fire, because her lips twitched—just slightly. She was definitely enjoying the challenge as much as him.
“I’m not afraid, Mr. Dashwood.” She turned to Lindsay and Travis, her posture suddenly regal. “Sounds like an excellent plan.” Then she looked back at him, golden brow bowed in challenge. “And may the best chef win.”
Finn swallowed the grin that threatened to take over his face.
Oh, it was on.
And creating the recipe to win Daphne’s heart had just begun.
Chapter 15
@LindsayMonroeOfficial:Just had the most charming meeting with the culinary rivals of Wisteria. Sparks flew. So did passive-aggressive compliments. Can’t wait for the cook-off at the Harvest Festival! #TeamPub vs. #TeamTea #WisteriaWeddings #FoodieDramaIsMyLoveLanguage
Comments:
@TravisLangston:Big news coming to the Harvest Festival: a cook-off for the ages. One pub. One tea shop. One couple—ahem, pair—of caterers who definitely don’t have unresolved feelings simmering under every dish. #WisteriaFoodWars #WeddingSeasonShowdown
@WisteriaWeekly:Breaking: Tea Thyme’s Daphne Austen and our newest restaurateur, The Green Dragon’s Finn Dashwood, to face off in a culinary duel at this year’s Harvest Festival. Citizens are advised to take sides responsibly. #TeamTea #TeamPub #PrayForTheJudges
@SheriffGrady:For the record, I’m not choosing sides. Unless one of them bribes me with lemon bars or beef Wellington. Then it’s every man for himself. #LawAndOrderAndSnacks
@PastorNateNHC:Some things are meant to go together. Peanut butter & jelly. Loaves & fish. And two certain business owners who seem a little too obsessed with each other’s opinions. #JustSaying #LetHeWhoHasEarsHear
@JackAustenPhotography:Listen, I work with Finn and I’m related to Daphne. Neither of them is emotionally prepared for this conversation.
