I’m in the contest tent. Why?
Zach
Perfect. I’ll meet you up there in 5.
He ignored his jacket. Surely his jeans and polo shirt were warm enough for a June morning. Snatching up his keys, he dashed out of Ollie’s apartment. As he pushed through the exterior door, a blast of wind raised goosebumps along his arms. So much for not needing that jacket.
He headed up to the Grand at a jog, dodging tourists and locals the whole way. A flash of blonde hair under the canopy of the contest tent told Zach where to go. He made a beeline for his sister and caught up with her with a minute to spare. In her light jacket, jeans, and Jonathon Island Flavor Fest T-shirt, Dani was better dressed for the weather than he was. She made a few marks on the clipboard in her hands as he approached.
“Dani,” Zach said. “Can you tell me where to find Anne Green?”
“Hello to you too, big brother.” Dani grinned at him.
“Hello. Now can you tell me where to find her?”
“What? Why?” Dani’s brow crinkled.
“I need to talk to her.” Zach’s pulse pounded.
“You know I can’t let you do that.” Dani put her arm out and grabbed his bicep. “You’re still in another contest. I can’t let you speak to the judges for that contest.”
Right. Dani would be a stickler for the rules. Best not to tell her about Paul seeking him out earlier. Her reputation was at stake. Well, so was his. Just not in the same way.
“I don’t really care about that.” Liar. He knew how much the Silver Platter could use the money. “Okay, I care, but I care more about landing a new job after this thing is over.”
“And you think a one-on-one with Anne Green will do that for you?” A strand of her long blonde hair blew into Dani’s eyes,and she released her hold on his arm to brush it away. “I can guarantee you that it won’t work. She’s not going to respect you for breaking the rules.”
Her words punctured the hope that had filled his lungs, and he let out a long sigh. “You’re right, of course. I just think talking directly to her is the best way to win her over.”
“So do that. But not until you’ve completed your obligations.” She glanced at her phone, then back at him. “Have you and Ava made a plan for the competition yet?”
He looked around the tent. Was she here? He didn’t see her blonde head anywhere. “Um. No. Not really. I told her I would come up with the recipes. She just needs to be my helper.”
Dani raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t that a little…arrogant?”
Was it? He thought back over their conversation. Okay, yes. A little arrogant. But he hadn’t meant it that way. It was just that he had the experience, and he knew Ava’s secret lack of skills. He rubbed a hand through his hair. “You’re right. I’ll apologize. But we did come up with the menu together.” Their evening spent chatting and planning had been the best part of his trip here so far.
Ava’s soft voice filtered through his mind.G’night, Golden Boy.A warmth spread through his chest and up his neck. The wind flapping the edges of the canopy did nothing to cool him.
Dani eyed him carefully. “Wait. Do you like Ava? Ollie filled me in on your history with the review and everything from back in Seattle.”
“Of course I like Ava.” Zach attempted a laugh.
“No, I meanlikelike.”
“I, ah. I don’t know.” Zach’s stomach somersaulted. “I spent so long hating her, blaming her for losing my restaurant, that I forgot that she was a real person. These past few weeks since she first came to my class in Chicago have been…eye-opening. She’s fun to be around.”
“I think my big brother has a crush.” Dani elbowed him.
“Stop.” His fingers tingled. “It’s not a crush. I’m just trying to give her a second chance. That’s all.”
“What’s up, sibs?” Ollie appeared at Dani’s side, Eliza next to him. They wore matching Island Bookstore T-shirts. Zach noted they had also checked the weather, Ollie in a brown cardigan and Eliza, a head shorter, in a jacket.
“Zach here has been telling me that he definitely doesn’t have a crush on Ava Harper. Even though he’s blushing.”
“I’m not blushing!” But his sister and brother must not have heard him.
“He denies it’s a crush, eh?” Ollie pretended to think this over, hand stroking his chin. “Do you look for her in crowds?”
