The Problem With Perfect by Philip William Stover

Author:Philip William Stover
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hera
Published: 2023-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

I wanted to lie. I tried to lie. But I couldn’t. I’m sure the expression on my face gave me away. Beau’s vegan Wellington was absolutely delicious. Devout carnivores would fall in love with it. I never believed you could make creamy soup without dairy but what was left in the blender was exquisite. I volunteer to clean up but Beau insists on helping me with the dishes.

I’m wiping down the counter and finally decide I have to ask him. ‘So what’s the deal… with the crust. How do you get it that flaky without butter? I have to know.’ On the show we’ll need to use the refrigerated dough since the sponsor has paid a great deal for the promotion but it doesn’t mean I’d serve something out of a can at a dinner party of my own.

‘So you admit you liked it?’

Of course I liked it. I ate more than my share although I claimed each mouthful was only for research purposes. ‘I admit nothing.’ Not about to give into him so easily.

‘Fine, but you have zero poker face. I just need to look in your eyes to see what you’re really thinking.’ My eyes. He’s been looking into my eyes? The thought of it makes me suddenly shy. I turn away and wipe down the counter furiously.

‘You have to be gentle,’ he says. At first, I think he’s talking about wiping down the counter but then he adds, ‘with the dough.’

‘I see,’ I say, not looking up. I’m scared about what my eyes might give away.

‘Some people think you need to really beat it and knead it under your knuckles, but that doesn’t work. With a mix of vegetable shortening and coconut oil, you have to help everything bloom and you can’t do that by force. Let everything find its own way.’

I don’t know who I expected Beau to be or what I expected of him. My first thought was that he would be a copy of his brother. That went away almost immediately. Then I thought he would be this rough mountain man ready to use an axe to divide a sandwich. He isn’t that either.

I think about how he is on set – gentle and patient. I’m always making sure we meet deadlines and don’t go over budget. I think about Chase and how I order him around. I have to acknowledge my part in Chase’s departure. Maybe I never gave him a chance to bloom. I’m beginning to regret that.

I finish wiping down the counter and realize I have to tell Beau about the party at Maria Luisa’s and the role he needs to play at it. A little alcohol might make this conversation easier.

‘How do you feel about wheat beers?’ I ask. The fruit flavor is not appealing to everyone.

‘I feel like they get a bad rap for being too fruity but the right ones are excellent,’ he says.

I reach in the back of the fridge where I know I have some hiding from Chase.

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