“Here’s the thing.” She shifted in her chair before bracing her arms on the table. “I didn’t give it a bad review. Or not intentionally. I was still learning the ropes, feeling my way through writing my own column, and had some writer’s block, so I tried out a writing prompt to get my juices flowing.”
Emily’s eyes rounded. “Oh no, something like ‘describe an outing using only negative adjectives’?”
“Something like that. You know where this is going. By the time I’d written my real review, I was close to deadline on my first writing assignment. I got nervous, flustered, you name it.” She twisted her fingers together. “So when I sent in my article, Isent in the wrong file. I didn’t notice until I looked for it in the paper the next day. Then to make it worse, my parents shared the newspaper clipping on their social media, and it went viral.”
“Ava, that’s terrible. I’m so sorry.” Emily placed her hand over Ava’s. “What did he say when you told him?”
“I never talked to him again, until last week anyway. I was too embarrassed and young and naive.” Only Emily’s grip kept her from burying her face in her hands.
“Well, it’s been what, six years since you were in Seattle? I’m sure he’s over it.”
She pictured the end of her class the week before. Zach getting in her face, green eyes flashing. “He’s definitely not over it. The worst part is, I couldn’t find another place for a class, so I have to see him tonight again. Unless he decided he couldn’t stand the sight of me and got a colleague to fill in.”
Emily gave her twisted fingers a squeeze before releasing them. “I’m sure if you just explain to him what happened, it will be fine.”
“I tried to do that last time, believe me. He was not interested in hearing my side of the story.”
“That’s awful.”
Ava took a long drink of her latte. The ice had all melted, leaving the coffee lukewarm. The sweet concoction soured in her stomach, and she straightened in her chair. “Anyway, I just need to make it through one more class, then I can focus on my trip to Jonathon Island. All that matters is that I learn enough to make it through that charity competition Judson signed me up for. Keeping my editor happy is at the top of my list.”
At Escargot, she would keep her head down and learn everything she could. Because after tonight, she would never have to see Zachary Sullivan again.
Just get through the night. Zach’s countdown for the last several days had turned into a mantra.Just make it through.
The kitchen waited, silent and ready, for the class tonight. Earlier that evening, he’d set up every station, lining up knives and mixing bowls and a pair of aprons at each spot, anticipating another full class. He double-checked the roster again. The bachelorette party would be back, this time missing one member. RJ was also on the schedule, as was Ava. He stifled a growl. He shut his eyes and breathed deep for a four count, then blew out his breath with a huff. No amount of deep breathing would change the fact that he was in this dead-end job because of Ava Harper.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and glanced at the caller ID. His brother, Ollie. “What’s up, bro?”
“I’m doing Dani a favor and confirming your arrival time for the Flavor Fest. You’re coming in a day or two early, she said?”
“I’m counting down the minutes. I’ll send you and Dani my flight info. I think I’ll be able to catch the two o’clock ferry across.” Zach straightened a knife that sat askew on the counter.
“Sounds good. Dani said to tell you she’s got you all signed up for the contests you wanted. You’re still staying with me, right?”
“Yeah. I appreciate it.”
“No problem. You’re welcome any time.” A rustle came over the phone, and then Zach heard Ollie whisper something to someone on the other end. “Sorry about that.” Ollie’s voice rang through the line again.
“Everything okay?”
“Yep. All good. Eliza just had a question.”
His brother had moved back to their hometown of Jonathon Island. He and his girlfriend, Eliza, ran a bookstore on the island. Zach hadn’t seen them for a few weeks, not since Dani’s wedding in April.
“Are you okay, though?” Ollie said. “You just sound a little off.”
“It’s nothing.” Zach adjusted the spacing between two mixing bowls on the far workstation. “It’s just…Do you remember that article that was super critical about my restaurant in Seattle?”
“The one that made the place a ghost town? Sure. I remember.”
“The food critic was at my class last week.” Zach rubbed his temple. “She’s supposed to be here again tonight.”
“Oh man. I can see why you’re distracted. Don’t let her get to you. Just be polite. I’m sure it will be fine.”
Polite. Right. He could do that.
The restaurant’s front door opened and closed with a bang. He cut a look at the clock. Class didn’t start for another fifteen minutes. “Thanks for calling, Ollie. I need to get going—someone’s here.”
