Page 28 of Go Cook Yourself

Or you fancy her and are making excuses for seeing those hold ups again.I grunt at my inner voice, which has a valid point. I want to see her costume. I hope she likes mine.

“Nice costume,” Kath says with a smile. If she’s surprised I’m here early, she doesn’t let on. “I’m guessing it’s for Ruby’s benefit. If I’m not wrong, you’re dressed as her favourite animal.”

In the two months I’ve been here, I’ve learnt that Kath is never wrong, but I reply with a shrug. “I don’t know what you mean.”

I'm busy in the kitchen, so she can’t see my grin. At the end of one class, Ruby mentioned that she loves pandas and wishes she could go on a panda cuddling trip.

When I first saw Ruby this week at our foraging and feasting class, I was suave and nonchalant, and I barely looked at her, though her hips called out for my touch. I was a badass chef until she made me laugh so hard at her impression of a baby chick that I spat out my tea.

I also fixed the cover on her car’s light when she was busy tidying up after class. I don’t think she knows it’s me. I didn’t do it for a thank you. I just want her safe.

“She knows you fixed her light, by the way,” Kath comments, reading my thoughts. I smile to myself. “It’s lovely that you care about her so much.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” I repeat. “Besides, I only did it because the clocks have changed, and I want her to be safe driving in the dark. I’d do it for anyone else, even Wicksy.”

I gaze at my lying reflection in the oven window. Big black ears peek out the top of my hood, and white patches of fur cover my body. I’ve barely got anything on under this costume, and I’m already overheating. I crank up the air con.

“Of course you would.” I know Kath is smiling even without seeing her. “Could you get the wine out, Mr. Formerly Grumpy Chef?”

Kath has entered into the spirit of this adult Halloween party with a long purple witchy wig and black cobweb dress. Cookie would look fabulous as part of the group, running with his six waggling legs. He’d be chasing me if he saw me in this panda onesie. The pain in my chest at not having him with me hits hard as I rip open boxes and start pulling out bottles of wine. As much as I’m excited about the food we’ll be preparing with the clients today, which will include a marshmallow cheesecake and mini spinach and feta pies, I would give it all up to have him by my side.

My phone buzzes with a reminder that Flora is popping by after class to get her onesie so she can lend it to another friend for their Halloween night. Maybe she’s shown the contract to her friend and has ideas on how to make Cookie mine again, too.

We spoke the other night, and she told me Clive is barely walking him and not spending any time with him. He’s cooped up in the apartment all day except for occasional walks with her.

I stare at the lock screen photo from last Christmas of Cookie wearing antlers. His beaming smile gives me a glow, and I sigh happily. I’ve no idea when I became the kind of guy who dresses up his dog. I used to be a lad who partied until morning and then dragged myself out of a stranger’s bed to prepare lunch for a collection of upscale clients. Cookie has taught me that there’s more to life. It’s a shame I’ll never be the kind of guy someone other than a dog could love.

Kath comes up behind me. “Are you done with that wine yet? Where is your head? I meant to add that I’m glad you and Ruby aren’t fighting anymore. I wonder what brought on that change.”

She smirks as I point at her. “I’ve got a bone to pick with you. I know why you avoided me at the cooking class this week. Apparently, the wine merchants were open all week. What was with making me and Ruby go there last weekend?”

Kath’s eyes twinkle as she holds her hand to her mouth. “I must have made a mistake. I am getting so forgetful these days.”

“The cheeky smile that you’re badly hiding isn’t fooling anyone. You’re trouble.”

Kath chuckles. “If only you knew. I have ways and means of making my work environment happy and ensuring that good people get good things. You’re good people, Garett, even if you pretend you’re not.” The corners of my lips tease up in a wry smile. I’ve been told my whole life that I’m not a good person, and Kath barely knows me. “I was wondering if you could use your good side to help me with a surprise I’m planning for Amber.”

This is significant. I try not to let my emotions get the better of me, but my grin gives me away. Kath trusts me! I nod and open my mouth, but she looks over my shoulder and puts her finger to her lips. “Later.” And with that, she disappears into the back kitchen.

Big thumping boots hit the tiled floor behind me, and the scent of passion fruit envelops me.

“You forgot this, Mr. Angry Panda Chef Who Fixes Car Lights.” Ruby’s voice tickles my ear. “Bend a little, you bloody giant.”

I bend. I’m too afraid to turn, and I can’t understand why. A part of me doesn’t want to see her face and realise she’s embarrassed about dancing like a knob in front of me or doing chick impressions this week. What will she think about me fixing her light? I still remember that kiss on my cheek from last weekend, and I hope my kindness will earn me another. That kiss has made me smile as I’ve tried to sleep every night since.

Ruby pops something on my head. “We’ll have to tape it on, or it will fall off.”

I reach my hands to hold it. It’s a chef’s hat. I roll my eyes and turn. I stifle a gasp. I’m not prepared for Ruby or her costume.

“Do you like it?” She holds her hands out and twirls.

The cutest woman in the world stands in front of me, dressed in a checked green shirt, blue jeans, and an apron, with stubble drawn on her face.

“Please tell me you didn’t.” My accent comes out strong and booming.

“Please tell me you didn’t,” she repeats, husking her voice and adding the warmth to her words that my accent sometimes brings. She takes my chef’s hat off my head and puts it back on hers, although she’s cocked it to the side. “Are you sad because I’m not wearing the sexy maid costume?”

I won’t admit that truth or that I love that she’s dressed as me. I chose my costume for her, and maybe she decided on hers to get a reaction out of me.

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