Page 6 of Winner Takes All

“You know I’m a creature of habit.” I take the soda she pours then make my way to my favorite booth next to the window. I love talking to the people inside while also being entertained by the shenanigans on the streets.

It doesn’t take more than sixty seconds before Sasha’s Aunt Eileen and her two best friends, Vivian and Martha, dance over to my booth, all three wearing big grins on their surprisingly youthful faces. No one knows their actual ages because it’s kept a top secret not even the CIA could crack, but we all know they’re forces of nature in our small town.

If there’s gossip here, these ladies will be the first to tell it, and there’s nothing they like better than matchmaking, even if those they’re trying to pair up don’t want to be in a relationship. Somehow, they always seem to get their way, though. The one guarantee with these women is that they’ve also got hearts of gold and are loved by every person in town.

Eileen is the main spokesperson for the trio, and therefore the first to talk. “We just saw the competitors for the cooking competition and hear you’re on a vengeance mission to claim victory.” Her eyes twinkle with a mix of warmth and mischief.

“I definitely want vengeance. I failed last year, and it won’t happen again. I’ve been working nonstop on new recipes to blow the judges minds.”

“You’re already perfect, darling,” Vivian says with twinkling eyes and a sharp wit that fools many because she looks like Mrs. Santa Claus. The woman’s a genius though and not easily fooled. “You’re the only one who finds flaws in your recipes.”

“The judges obviously did last year,” I tell her with a pout.

“Oh, those were foolish judges. Don’t you dare doubt yourself,” Vivian insists.

“It’s not that I doubt myself, but I know I’m up against stiff competition. It’s too bad for them, though, because there’s no way they want it as much as I do.”

Martha speaks next. “We think you might need a little something extra to guarantee a win.”

I look at her with confusion. “What are you talking about?” I know these women are always ten steps ahead of everyone and I can’t figure out what they’re talking about now. I don’t even try. They’ll eventually spit it out.

“We’re talking about a super special secret ingredient,” Martha says. “Something toreallyspice things up.”

“If there’s one thing I know well, it’s secret ingredients. I combine things others might not ever think of using together, so I can’t imagine what you might be suggesting.”

Eileen’s eyes gleam with amusement as she says, “The ultimate ingredient, darling... love.”

I laugh. “I always cook with love.”

“Notthatsort of love,” Eileen says. “We’re talking about you and Victor working together instead of against each other.You’ve always competed, but imagine if you put your heads together instead of butting them against each other. Magic would happen.”

I choke on my drink, and Vivian moves forward and pats my back. “You ladies have always been eccentric, but seriously?” I finally gasp. “Victor and I are sworn enemies. We’re competing against each other. I’m here to win not enter some twisted game-show romance to amuse my neighbors.”

Amelia steps up to drop off my food. She hears everything in this restaurant. I swear the woman has superhuman hearing. “You have to admit, Nikki, that you and Victor certainly have some interesting history.”

I let out a sigh. I need to stop this before it gets out of hand. “We were enemies in school that sometimes got along for the good of the student body. Trust me, there’s no love lost between us,” I say, trying to sound casual, as if this conversation is boring me. These people can smell blood in the water, and if they think there’s any truth to the rumor of an untold romance between Victor and me, they won’t ever stop.

Vivian isn’t buying it. “There’s a very thin line between love and hate, my darling. We all know this.”

“It’s not thin enough,” I retort. Now they have me thinking about Victor again, which is what I’m sure they intended. It’s true, we’ve spent a lot of time trying to outdo one another, and I do know more than anyone else how thin that line is as I’ve found myself lost in his arms before. It was foolish then and it won’t happen again.

Before anyone else can reply, the door to the café swings open and in walks Sasha and Sia, laughing about something as they make their way inside. They spot me and laugh harder as they see me surrounded. I send them a pleading stare to save me. They shrug as if telling me there’s no saving anyone fromthe wicked trio. They’re right. They still move in my direction. Maybe they’ll take some of the heat off of me.

“How is everyone doing?” Sia asks as she slides into the booth next to me.

“We’re giving Nikki some advice on how to win the cooking competition,” Eileen says with full innocence that doesn’t fool a soul.

Sasha raises her eyebrow. “What advice would this be, Aunt Eileen?”

“By winning Victor’s heart and combining their spices,” Amelia chimes in.

Both Sasha and Sia burst into laughter as my cheeks heat up. I’m very aware everyone in the café is listening in on this conversation and greatly enjoying the show. They don’t enjoy it so much when they’re on the receiving end of all this motherly advice. “For the millionth time, Victor and I have nothing going on between us,” I say loudly enough for everyone in the café to hear. “We’ve always been rivals and always will be.”

Sia nudges me as she sends a wink. “There might be more than you’re letting on, Nik.”

I look at her in utter betrayal. Sasha chimes in next. “There’s nothing wrong with a little friendly competition. Things can get pretty hot in the kitchen.”

They were supposed to come over and help save me, not add to the gossip. I’m going to hurt both of them. I’m not enjoying this conversation at all. I should’ve stayed in my kitchen. At least my stove doesn’t harass me like this.

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