Page 11 of Billionaire's Bookworm

“Everything,” he replied with a grin. “The rules, the competition, the stakes... I have a reputation to uphold, you know.”

I chuckled, despite myself. “Reputation? As a chili connoisseur?”

“Among other things,” he offered, a small smirk crossing his features. “But yes, my chili is legendary in certain circles. I wouldn’t want to disappoint the locals.”

“Well, Mr. James,” I said, leaning back in my chair and adopting a mock-serious tone, “the Seashell Cove Chili Cook-Off is a cutthroat affair. Only the best of the best dare to compete. We have grandmothers with secret family recipes, seasoned grill masters, and even a few aspiring chefs who think they have what it takes to win the coveted Golden Ladle.”

“The Golden Ladle?” Wade repeated, his eyes twinkling. “Sounds ominous.”

“It is,” I confirmed with a dramatic nod. “The winner not only receives bragging rights for the entire year but also the responsibility of upholding the culinary honor of Seashell Cove.”

“A heavy burden indeed,” Wade said, his lips twitching into a smile. “I suppose I’ll have to bring my A-game, then.”

“You’d better,” I retorted, a playful challenge in my voice. “The competition is fierce.”

Once all the awkwardness passed, we bantered back and forth with surprising ease, chatting about the chili cook-off and other local quirks. Wade finished his coffee, standing up to stretch. His gaze lingered on mine a beat longer than necessary.

“Well, Ms. Michaels. I should let you get back to your books. But I look forward to seeing you at the cook-off. May the best chili win.”

“May the best chili win,” I echoed, my heart skipping a beat as he winked and headed towards the door.

Playboy, indeed. I wonder how many women fall at his feet to earn one of those.

Watching him leave, a mix of emotions swirled within me. The chili cook-off was just a few days away, and I couldn’t deny I was suddenly looking forward to seeing the Greek god again.

Despite our rocky start last night, the man who showed up today was actually kind of likable.

I really wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

ChapterFour

Wade

I inhaled deeplyas I stepped out of Beachy Keen Reads, the intoxicating scent of old books and freshly brewed coffee lingering in my nostrils. Way better than the cloying perfumes and stale champagne of the high-society galas I usually endured. Who knew a quaint little bookstore could feel so... refreshing?

Emma Michaels—with her fiery red hair and that razor-sharp tongue—had somehow managed to crack through my carefully constructed façade. She’d awakened a curiosity I’d thought long dormant. The kind that tugged at something deep inside, stirring up feelings I wasn’t sure I wanted to examine too closely.

Her laughter—a melodic sound that tickled the edges of my memory—echoed in my ears as I strolled down the sun-drenched sidewalk. As with last night, something about her felt… familiar. Too familiar. I shook my head, dismissing it as a trick of the imagination. Probably just the unexpected connection I felt with her messing with my head.

However, Emma’s casual mention of the upcoming chili cook-off had me anticipating the rest of my week in a way I hadn’t in ages.

A chili cook-off?

In this sleepy beach town?

Sign me up.

I’d resisted getting too involved here in the past, but this seemed like the perfect excuse to dive headfirst into Seashell Cove’s colorful community—and maybe steal some more time with the enigmatic Ms. Michaels.

Besides, I reallydidhave a killer chili recipe up my sleeve, passed down from my great great grandpa Roark. He always said a little friendly competition never hurt anyone.

Especially when the competition was a stunning redhead with a sassy mouth.

As I sauntered down the sidewalk toward my car, a genuine smile tugged at my lips. Hell, I was even whistling—an old habit I thought I’d kicked years ago. I needed to swing into Miami to put out some corporate fires so my assistant would stop blowing up my phone. Then...

Well, let’s just say I had a date with the local supermarket’s spice aisle.

Chili ingredients didn’t buy themselves.

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