Page 81 of Pitcher Perfect

Charity:but Austin seems different. Sure, you’ve been bringing him food and doing your usual knight in shining armor thing, but didn’t you tell me he came over to comfort you after you found out about the house? And he stepped in to cook for you when you got that awful migraine? Sounds to me like he’s putting as much effort in as you

Caleb:ugh you’re right

Charity:taking a screenshot of that and making it your contact photo in my phone. Oooh! I wonder if I could duplicate it into a pattern and make wrapping paper

Caleb:I’ll let that one go because you earned it. Thanks, sis

Charity:you’re welcome :) Can’t wait to meet my future brother-in-law

Caleb:whoa. Slooooow down. Waaaay down

Charity:sure, Jan

* * *

“You sure youdon’t want help?” I watched Austin’s measured movements as he diced an onion.There’s an easier way to do it, but who am I to backseat cook when a hot guy insists on making me dinner?

He looked up at me and glared. “Worried I’ll give you food poisoning?”

I stood from the stool at my kitchen counter and walked over to wrap my arms around his waist and nuzzle his neck. “Just trying to distract myself before I distract the devastatingly handsome chef in my kitchen.” I kissed the spot just behind his ear.

He leaned back into me. “Like you’re doing now?”

“Exactly.”

“Even though I’m holding a threatening tool?”

“I know how to handle your threatening tool.” I nipped at his earlobe and warmed at his laughter.

He let me kiss on him for another minute before he banished me back to the other side of the counter. “I told youI’mcooking foryoutonight. We’ve had a busy couple of weeks, and you deserve a night off before your work at the competition this weekend.”

He deserved a night off too. Between nailing down details on the used equipment, gearing up to accommodate the Fred Meyer contract, bottling and kegging the Portland Pairing beer, and finding time to hang out with me at my truck, I wasn’t even sure when he’d slept. Actually, that was a lie because he’d done it at my place several times and we’d sleptverywell after wearing ourselves out.

I smiled at him—not just because of the adorable scrunch between Austin’s eyebrows while he concentrated hard on his cutting, not because he’d already paused three times to watch YouTube videos on some cooking thing he could’ve just asked me about, but because he was doing it forme.

Despite Austin and me initially agreeing to keep things casual until after the competition, nothing was casual about my feelings for the man. He’d made Dahlia Springs feel like home, introduced me to people who had become my friends, and helped my business grow by connecting me with Mabel. I had several people asking me to cater their upcoming events. If only I had a kitchen.

Austin made mehappy, so fucking happy.

“What’s got you smiling over there? The prospect of a foodgasm?”

“Not the kind of ‘gasm’ I’m going for, but I’ll take it.” I winked at him.

He shook his head but didn’t hide his smirk.

“I was thinking about how badly we failed.”

He frowned and dumped his chopped onion into the preheated pan. “Failed at what? You don’t think we’ll win?”

“Babe, no.”Babe? Outside the bedroom? That’s new.I shook my head and laughed. I was so gone for him.

His pleased little smile felt better than a gushing five-star Yelp review about my food.

“I think we’ve got a good chance. Your food is incredible,” he said.

“Thanks. So is your beer. If we don’t win, it’s not for lack of trying or skill.”

“Your mouth to the judges’ ears. That prize would be such a game changer for both of our businesses.” Austin paused in slicing the bell pepper. “Did you see on their social media that there’s some sort of secret surprise they’re announcing at the event? I’ve got a bad feeling about it. What if they change the rules or something?”

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