Page 7 of Winner Takes All

I’m about to lay into all of them when the door opens again. My heart sinks as I see who’s decided to join us. The air shifts and my heart lodges in my throat as my blood runs hot. I tell myself it’s in disgust, but I know it’s not true. Victor looks over at our group, our eyes meeting. I wish the man was hideous, but clearly he’s not.

The years have been good to Victor since high school. He’s taller, broader, and more confident than ever before. He wasn’t small or timid in school, but the Marines did things to him that honed his already beautiful body to perfection. Not only that, but there’s a new ease in the way he carries himself, a self-assurance that’s on steroids now. And the eyes that currently have me captured hold the same intensity as always, but now it feels like he can see straight into my soul.

He starts walking straight to our table and I try to prepare myself. We’ve always smiled in public and put on false niceties. It’s when we’re alone that I have to worry. I’m fine with all of these people surrounding me. I’m going to have to get used to him being back in our very small town. He stops, not taking his gaze from me, a slow smile spreading across his handsome features.

“Hello, Nik,” he says, his voice deep and smooth. “Rumor is you’re planning on giving me a run for my money again this year. I’ve developed some new moves, so it won’t be easy.”

I cross my arms and glare at him, ignoring how much my heart’s thundering. I forget anyone else is around us. Victor has always had this effect on me. “Go ahead and bring it, Victor. You’re going to need all the help you can get to achieve second place.”

His eyes twinkle as his grin widens. He places his hands on the table and leans in close to me, making my blood light on fire. “I’m not worried, darling. I’m used to watching you come in second to me.”

Eileen laughs, causing us to finally break eye contact. I take my first breath in what feels like hours. “You two should kiss and make up. Come on, give us a show.”

I shoot her a look that could melt steel, but Victor shocks me when he laughs, the deep sound washing through me, then looks at me again and winks.

“I’m game,” he says, making several people in the café clap as giggles surround us.

My heart skips several beats. “Not ever happening, Victor.” I don’t add the word again. Luckily he doesn’t bust me on this. We have kissed before, and damn, it was good.

“We’ll see, Nik,” he tells me, before winking again. Now I’m thinking about what an incredible kisser the man is. Nobody’s ever made me burn the way this man has... and the scary thing is I think he knows it.

He turns and walks away and several sighs let out at our table. I groan. This hasn’t helped the gossip mill at all. If anything, it’s set it on fire and will make my life a living hell.

Sia pats my shoulder, her voice full of amusement. “Looks like this will be the best summer festival ever.”

“I wouldn’t say best ever, but nothing’s going to stop me from winning,” I mutter, trying to drown out the whispers happening all around us. I wouldn’t be surprised if bets are being placed all over the café about Victor and me.

The competition between us is most certainly on, and it’s not just about the fantastic prize at the end. It’s about proving to myself and everyone here that I’m the best. I’m not letting him win, and I’m not letting the sexual tension between us stand in my way or distract me.

Still, as I sit here, surrounded by laughter and the comforting chaos of the Mermaid Café, I can’t help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, there’s more at stake in this year’s competition than I initially realized. The trio is right about one thing, sparks are flying, and the flames keep getting hotter.

Chapter Four

Victor

The clang of pots and pans and the sizzle of vegetables hitting a hot cast-iron pan fills the small kitchen at Robert’s bar, making me grin. This place has certainly seen better days, but it’s comforting in its familiarity, smells, sounds, and regular patrons. It’s also an ideal place for me to work out the kinks in my recipes. Sure, there are plenty of prying eyes, but no one here will pay enough attention to know my secret ingredients, and they’re more than willing to be my taste testers, not holding back their criticism, which only makes me a better cook.

The townspeople in Seaville will weigh heavily in judging all the cooks in the competition. It’s smart to get in their good graces now. I’m simply giving them all a sneak peek at what’s to come in a couple of weeks.

Robert gazes at me through the large window overlooking the bar, his arms crossed, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. He enjoys watching me make masterpieces. Then again, we’ve been friends for a very long time. I can see he’s itching to say something. I wait him out. I know he’ll break first... and he does.

“I’ve witnessed a lot of unusual happenings in this town, but seeing you cooking gourmet food in my dive bar is somethingelse. I always thought you’d be working at your dad’s side with grease-covered hands, not standing at a stove with a spatula.”

I give him a grin. “People change, Robert. Cooking isn’t all that different from fixing cars anyway. Both require precision, patience, following a formula, and most importantly of all, creativity.”

“Don’t forget a hell of a lot of talent,” Robert says with a chuckle. I immediately notice the twinkle in his eyes and know a heck of a lot more is coming.

“You’ve been a bit moody today,” he finally adds.

I don’t show him a reaction. “I’m always happy.”

“Yeah, you’re always wearing a smile, however I think there might be a certain woman in this town driving you a little mad, if the rumor mill’s correct... and it usually is. That might affect your great cooking skills.”

I don’t try to deny it and don’t act like I’m not sure who he’s talking about. I have plans where Nikki’s concerned, and her fighting it is only making me that much more determined.

“She might be on my mind, and she most certainly has me doing a lot of thinking.”

Robert leans back against the bar and reaches over to grab a cherry, popping it into his mouth as several pairs of eyes look our way. There’s nothing they like more than local gossip. No one here needs to watch national news, they simply sit back and watch the locals to get their daily entertainment.

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