Page 25 of A Farmer’s Guide To Gamers

I laughed at my pick-up line for Jack and then placed my phone down as I looked through my kitchen to figure out what I was going to cook.

It wasn’t like me to do a dinner party of any kind without planning.

Biting my bottom lip, I searched through my fridge, freezer, and the chest freezer to see what I really had for options.

Ribs… Not going to work this last minute.

No burgers, it seemed too casual.

Fish… That could potentially work.

Wait, did anyone have allergies? Shit! I need to check.

Tillie

Is anyone allergic to anything? Before I start getting things together for tonight.

There was a slight pause before Aiden popped into the chat.

Aiden

Kai is allergic to pine nuts but that’s it.

Kai

Though Jack does have a weird aversion to smooth mashed potatoes.

Jack

That is not weird! They taste strange… and slimy.

Kai

I seriously have no idea how you ever had slimy mashed potatoes. They are potatoes!

Dean

Just skip the mashed potatoes entirely to be on the safe side.

I smirked at their banter and sent a quick thanks text to the group chat as they kept giving each other a hard time.

Okay, no pine nuts and no mashed potatoes. I can work with that.

After double checking my supplies and making a quick list, I found myself in the grocery store, doing my best not to overthink as I shopped.

The idea of having them over felt more cozy and laid back. Now, I was freaking out that they’d be disappointed… or worse, hate my farm.

“Oh, Tillie. I always love running into you!” I bit back the cringe as I put on my best sweet smile to greet Bridget. She was well known as the town gossip and I just knew she was here fishing for something.

“Hello, Bridget,” I greeted as I continued to pick out peaches. The local farm sent them in and they were in season right now. I added a few extra for good measure as she gave up all pretenses at minding her own business.

“I hear that sweet Dean Ames is back in town. You two used to be close, didn’t you?” Her eyes were narrowed and focused, seeking out information like she could laser beam it from my mind.

“Oh, is he?” I feigned ignorance. “We weren’t too close. I’m friends with his sister Sabrina, of course, but he’s been gone a long time.”

“Hmmm,” she huffed, stalking behind me as I moved onto fresh vegetables. They didn’t give me their likes and dislikes, but as long as I avoided mashed potatoes I was apparently golden.

I nabbed some potatoes to roast on the grill along with some asparagus and bacon. My pantry was full of seasonings and the garden had fresh herbs, so I skipped right past those aisles and headed for the butcher counter for fresh chicken.