Page 4 of Winner Takes All

“Are you ready for the competition?” she asks.

I beam at her. “I’ve been working nonstop on some new recipes. This year’s prize is invaluable. I have to win.”

“You’re going to rock this, Nik. You learned last year what they’re expecting, and you’re the best cook in the universe.”

“You always say that, but you also love Taco Bell so I’m not so sure of your tastes,” I say with a laugh.

“Hey, those Cantina Burritos are the bomb,” she argues, making me laugh.

“Don’t get me wrong. Taco Bell is my secret shame. I honestly don’t see how I can love and appreciate a fine lobster and steak and still think a cheap burrito is good.”

“That’s because we like it all,” she says. “There’s nothing wrong with liking many different food choices.”

“I agree. I think it makes me a finer cook. It doesn’t always have to be a gourmet meal to be delicious. At times the simplest ingredients can make the absolute best dishes.”

“Okay, as much as I love talking about food, it’s time to talk about men,” she tells me. I laugh at this. We do love talking about the opposite sex.

“I love talking about men as much as food,” I agree. “Not that I have any men to talk about.”

“That’s so not true, but I’ll let you get away with it for now,” she says with a wink. Before I can respond, she continues talking. “I’m happy, Nik, so happy it’s almost too much to bear.”

“Brag, brag, brag,” I say, but I’m still smiling. I love how happy my best friend is.

“We get to travel, live together in this beautiful town I thought I hated but really love, and be a family. It’s amazing.”

“You guys are a sickingly perfect couple.”

She nods. “Zach’s been my rock through all of this craziness. I can’t believe I tried to run from him. Why do we make such foolish decisions in our lives?”

“Because we’re human and we’re going to make mistakes. It doesn’t mean we’re evil though. It just means we come out on the other side so much stronger because of the trials we go through,” I tell her.

“Then I should be incredibly strong because I screw up all of the time,” she says with a laugh.

“You’re simply building character. We both are.”

“Talking about mistakes. Any regrets on letting Victor slip away from you again?”

I gape at her. “I didn’t let him slip away. That would mean I was once holding on to him, which I have absolutely zero desire to do.”

“Oh, you’ve held on to him for many years. You’re being foolish trying to deny it,” she says.

I’m immediately shaking my head. “Victor Fortier will forever be my enemy,” I assure her.

“We’re not supposed to lie to each other, but since you’re trying to convince yourself of this, instead of me, I’ll let you get away with it. I know this since it was me a year ago, trying to convince myself I wasn’t in love and not hurting while missing Zach every single moment we were apart.”

“You know Victor’s once again in the cooking competition,” I say with a sigh.

She laughs. “Yep, I know. Mom’s told me all about it, and she’s loving every second of it.”

“Why?” I gasp, feeling betrayed.

“Because she sees the sparks flying between the two of you, as does the entire town, and you know there’s nothing this community likes more than an enemies to lovers romance.”

I roll my eyes. “That’s so not going to happen. The enemies part, sure, but not the lovers part.”

“Well, you mean not the lovers partagain?” she pushes with mischievousness in her eyes.

“You’re breaking the girl code. You know that’s something we don’t ever talk about,” I say.

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