“I’ll take off,” she said. “Good luck.”
Ava cooed over several details of the house. “Everything looks even better in person than it did in the emails Mia sent me.”
“Here’s the best part.” He led her into the airy kitchen at the back of the house. A long counter ran along the back wall with a large window over the sink facing out to the backyard. The wood flooring warmed the room. White cabinets and gray slate countertops lent an air of modern charm to the space. The homeowners had installed an oversized range featuring six burners and a double oven, one of which was a convection oven. “There’s a big pantry behind the door over there.”
“It smells good in here.”
The twin scents of garlic and oregano filled the air. A timer beeped on the stove. He went to it and pulled out a pan oflasagna. He placed it on the stovetop to rest. “I’ll just put the garlic bread in. We can eat in a few minutes.” He slid the loaf of bread wrapped in tinfoil into the oven. “I thought maybe you’d be hungry after your trip over here.”
She put one hand on her hip. “Did you just bake something in someone else’s oven?”
“Small town, remember? I grew up with the kid who used to live here. His mom came to my cooking class last week, so I called in a favor.” He lifted a shoulder. “I’m learning to embrace that small-town life.”
He opened the pantry and took out a basket he’d tucked in there on his arrival. “Plates and silverware.”
“Zach. What is going on?” A small crease showed between her eyebrows. “What is all this?”
“I know we got started on the wrong foot. Maybe several wrong feet. Our whole relationship was lumpy.” He swallowed against a sudden dryness in his throat. What if she didn’t want to forgive him? “I’m so sorry for the way I’ve acted.” He met her gaze. “I should never have accused you. I’ve been learning a lot about myself these past few weeks. Like how I blame other people for my problems instead of acknowledging my own faults.”
“I’ve been learning a lot too. I let you down at the competition, something that was important to you. I put my own goals first.” She walked over to him. “I’m sorry for reacting instead of listening.” She took a deep breath and then released it slowly. “I forgive you. We both messed up, but I wanted to find you and try to start again.” Ava put a hand on his chest. She turned her face up to him, a vulnerability shining from her eyes. “To see if there really is a chance for us.”
“Can we start over?” He put a hand over hers. “I think we have the right ingredients to make this thing between us work. Maybe we can bake something more.”
“A recipe for forever?” She smiled, her face lighting with pleasure. “I’d like that. Even if those were some of the cheesiest lines I’ve ever heard.”
He extended his arms toward her, and she, without hesitation, moved closer into his embrace. Holding Ava felt natural, a comforting warmth spreading through him, a sense of belonging he’d never known before.
“Good thing I like cheese,” she murmured into his chest.
He laughed as she nestled closer to him.
She tipped her head up to look at him. His heart rate ramped up several notches.
Rising up on her toes, she pressed her lips to his.
Kissing Ava felt like coming home. It didn’t matter where he lived or what he did, he wanted this woman in his life for all of it.
His eyes slid closed.
“Zach.” Her lips moved against his.
“Hmm.” He slid his hand up to her neck, not willing to break contact.
“I think you’re burning my house down.”
He pulled abruptly away, heart crashing to his knees. Smoke billowed from the oven.
Ava ran to open a window, and he waved a towel at the oven. He pulled out the smoldering loaf of garlic bread, dashed to the back door, and threw the whole thing on the patio.
The fire alarm began blaring. Ava waved at it until it stopped, then they collapsed into laughter on the floor. Ava tucked her head onto his chest.
“I’m afraid you’re going to be bad for my reputation as a chef,” he said into her hair. “I seem to burn everything when you’re around.”
“We still have the lasagna.”
“I hope you like floor picnics.” Zach stood. “My influence didn’t extend to them leaving a kitchen table behind.”
“I’ll eat lasagna anywhere.” Ava stood and took a forkful of lasagna straight from the pan. “This is amazing.” She nudged his shoulder with hers. “Too bad there’s no garlic bread.”
