“This is so exciting! What are you going to make?” Ali props her chin on her hand.
“I’m not sure yet.” I’ve been running menus through my head since I first came up with this idea in the shower last night. Should I go the Mediterranean route, falafel and mezze platters? I could marinate some feta with sundried tomatoes and steal fresh pita from the restaurant. Or maybe Indian flavors? I just found a new recipe for sweet potato curry that I’ve been dying to try.
“What’s your gut telling you?” Chloe tucks a lock of goldenhair behind her ear. She’s just gotten a fresh manicure, a steely-blue color that looks perfect against her skin.
My gut?Jake’s face pops up in front of my eyes, and for the first time, I know exactly what my gut is telling me.
“My gut,” I reply, a slow smile spreading across my face, “is telling me that you two are in for some Southern hospitality.”
“SOMETHING SMELLS AMAZING.” JAKEwalks into the living room, running a towel through his still-damp hair. He looks sexy as hell in a navy knit with the sleeves rolled up and dark jeans. Once again, I marvel at how right it feels to see him against the backdrop of the apartment. Like he’s not a visitor at all, but a part of the foundation. “What are you making?”
“‘What am Inotmaking?’ is the better question.” I glance at my handwritten menu. “Let’s see. Grilled salmon with Cajun aioli. Tomato and mozzarella caprese salad. Smashed potatoes with truffle oil. Orange and fennel braised greens. And…”
Walking over to the fridge, I retrieve a glass pitcher.
“Can I offer you some sweet tea?”
Jake’s eyes go wide. “You didn’t.”
I grin as I pour him a glass. “Apparently the secret is making simple syrup on the stovetop.” I hand it to him and watch with anticipation as he takes a sip. “Well… what’s the consensus?”
Jake drains the cup and then smacks his lips together. “Holy cow. Are you trying to make me fall in love with you?”
Instantly, my cheeks flood with heat. My mouth drops open, but I can’t get a single word past my lips. My skin is still burning when the door opens a moment later, and Ali and Chloe step inside.
“Hello, hello!” Ali crows. She’s dressed in a black halter top and wide-leg, mustard-colored pants, her dark curls spiraling around her head. When she sees Jake, she pales before dropping into a small curtsy.
“You probably don’t remember me, but I’m Ali,” she says.
“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Jake.”
Ali’s eyes flood with gratitude as she realizes he’s too polite to bring up their fateful first meeting or her cringeworthy text.
Jake smiles warmly. “Is it okay if I give you a hug? Since we’re destined to be best friends and all?”
Ali nods numbly, looking like she might pass out. When his arms encircle her, she presses forward to sniff his hair.
“You’ll have to excuse her. She’s not used to humans.” Chloe grips Ali by the elbow and pulls her away. She sticks out a hand toward Jake. “I’m Chloe.” He grins at her and shakes it.
I carry a charcuterie board toward the table. “Can I get anyone some wine?”
“Oh, that reminds me!” Ali reaches into her bag and withdraws a bottle of Sancerre. She holds it out in front of her, wiggling it back and forth. “Look what I stole from work!”
A few minutes later, we’re gathered around the kitchen table, tucking into the overfilled wooden board. Jake fiddles with Ali’s wine bottle for a minute before realizing it’s not the twist-off kind I normally keep in the apartment.
“Hey, Lex, do you have a wine opener?” he asks.
“Yep.” I pull it from the kitchen drawer and toss it to Jake, who catches it deftly in one hand.
“Wow, nicely done.” Chloe looks uncharacteristically impressed.
“Thanks. I’ve gotten a lot of practice in the past year. For some reason, people love throwing stuff onstage while I’m performing.”
“What kind of stuff?” Ali smears brie and fig jam across a cracker.
“Flowers, water bottles. The occasional cell phone. A few bras here and there.” His eyes sparkle with amusement. “One time someone threw a vibrator at me. Hit me smack in the middle of my forehead.”
“No way! Which model?” Ali’s eyes are wide.
