The Holiduel: A Sweet Romantic Comedy Christmas Novella (Falling for Franklin Series Prequel) by Hailey Gardiner

Author:Hailey Gardiner [Gardiner, Hailey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2022-11-15T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Finn

Finn: Hey, Helms. Would this Friday work for dinner?

I stuff my phone back into my pocket as a few people approach the catering table. I had to be vague with the dinner question. Mostly because I’m not planning on taking Ava out on the town for dinner.

I want to create a meal for her. An experience. Something simple, yet remarkable.

Something I make for her myself, with my own two hands.

I may be serving up crepes with a smile at the Day Report corporate event we’re catering, but in my mind, I’m planning out the menu.

First course…

Courses for a dinner date? Too pretentious. Ava won’t like that.

Starter…

Something simple. Bread. Olive oil. Balsamic vinegar.

Main course…

A pasta dish? Some kind of roasted meat?

Does Ava even eat meat?

I sigh. Why is coming up with a home cooked meal so much harder than planning the menu for a catering gig or a five star restaurant?

I’ll tell you why. Because the person who will be eating my food, critiquing my methods, filling her stomach and soul with what I create for her is Ava.

Practical, simple, extraordinary Ava. How am I supposed to impress her when she’s literally my greatest inspiration?

Take tonight’s catering gig, for example. I pared things down. Sourced local, fresh ingredients where I could, and used properly prepared preserves where I needed to. Good chocolate. Quality butter. Locally milled flour.

Gone are my days of reaching for intense, exotic flavor combinations in my dishes. I’ve entered a new phase. One where I think to myself, what would Ava do? One that leads to simple, comforting dishes that fill me with pride and a sense of great accomplishment.

And that’s more than I can say for the dishes I painstakingly crafted in the five star kitchens I’d worked in. Tiny portions of edible art that served to inspire rather than satiate.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I resist the urge to whip it out and draw attention to myself, instead waiting for a moment when the food line dies down and I can read her response.

Ava: That depends. Where are you right now?

I feel a smile hitch up one side of my face.

Finn: Catering gig. The Day Report?

Ava: That was supposed to be my gig, Canada. So my answer will have to be no to dinner on Friday.

Ava: Can’t be seen fraternizing with the competition.

I furrow my brow.

I had no idea that Ember had been up for this job as well. Five years ago, I would have felt victorious knowing I’d beat out Ava in being chosen to cater an event.

But now? The win doesn’t feel like a win at all. It feels hollow. Meaningless.

Finn: Totally understandable.

Finn: If it makes you feel any better, this party is a dud. Unworthy of your presence.

I’m interrupted again as more of Day Report employees flock to get their crepe fix.

As soon as there’s a break in the flow of the evening, I pull my phone back out and am disappointed that she hasn’t responded to me. Maybe she really is still bitter about not booking this terribly boring event.

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