Page 4 of 40 and (No Longer) Fighting It
Another bite, another moan. JD shifted in his seat. “That.”
“Ah.” Lily grinned. “Well, if Linc keeps cooking like this, you might be out of luck there.”
“Or in luck,” JD pointed out.
“That too.”
Linc set a plate of waffles in front of JD with a clatter. JD glanced up, and apology flitted in his eyes. Linc hated that. He never wanted his friend to feel like he had to hide his happiness to spare Linc’s feelings. But after this morning…
He swallowed hard as he went back to the waffle iron. “What barbecue are you getting ready for, Lily?”
JD groaned at his first bite of breakfast, sparking satisfaction in Linc’s chest. This was why he cooked, to fill a need. Even before Kelly’s death, he’d left behind finance for food because he wanted to fill the hunger he saw around him. There was nothing more satisfying than feeding people.
“JD didn’t tell you?” Lily asked, knowing eyes taking in her fiancé’s bent head. “Of course he didn’t. We have a barbecue planned for this afternoon, an engagement celebration. And a welcome to town for you, Linc. You’re JD’s best friend, and I wanted to introduce you to my town.”
My town.Lily was the mayor of Black Wolf’s Bluff, and he already knew from JD that she considered the town her family.
“And you’re not allowed to criticize the food while you’re there,” JD said. “You’re the guest of honor, not the town food critic.”
“I’m almost fifty years old, JD. In that many years I did learn basic manners, thank you very much.”
“You just don’t use them when it comes to your favorite topic.”
Lily laughed. “I have no worries, JD. I’m sure Linc will love the food. Clayton is setting up in my backyard as we speak, and he never goes wrong when it comes to meat.”
JD arched a brow. Lily’s cheeks turned pink. “Not that kind of meat,” she muttered.
The comment cracked JD up.
A grin tugged at Linc’s lips. “Who is Clayton?” he asked as he turned off the waffle maker and brought his plate to the table.
“He owns the local pub,” JD explained. “And Lily is right, he is a great cook.”
“You think McDonald’s is edible, JD.” Linc cut through the fluffy layers of waffle and whipped cream and strawberries to gather a bite. “Your opinion doesn’t count. But I’ll accept Lily’s.” He smirked her way and was rewarded with a wink. Linc had to admit, the woman seemed perpetually positive. From what JD had explained about the circumstances surrounding their relationship, he knew it hadn’t been straightforward or easy, but he honestly liked Lily and felt she was a great fit for his friend.
“Seriously,” JD insisted. “I’d say his wings are better than yours, Linc.”
Linc choked on his waffle. “What?”
“And Claire is bringing the rest of the food, so there will be nothing to complain about there.” JD forked up another bite.
“Claire?”
“My friend,” Lily said. “She owns the bakery here in Black Wolf’s Bluff. Gimme Sugar.”
“Cute.” Linc took another bite, forestalling further comment. A small-town baker just didn’t have a chance of being a New York–level talent. He was sure the food would be edible, but great? He doubted it.
“Did I mention she’ll be providing desserts and baked goods for the restaurant? And she’ll have a storefront in the resort,” JD announced. “So she’ll work with us on some of the design the next couple of weeks.”
This was the second time Linc had choked on his food, and he didn’t like it. “What?”
“I’ve offered Claire a spot to expand her bakery.” JD swirled his bite of strawberries in the whipped cream on his plate. “She was already on board to provide what we’d need for the resort, so I thought, why not? She has a chance at a second location, and she can explore more high-end options than Black Wolf’s Bluff provides.”
Linc had known part of JD’s deal with the town had been finding local resources to access for the resort’s needs, but…food? Foodhewas in charge of? His assumption that they’d be hiring a pastry chef had apparently been way off, as had the assumption that he’d have exclusive charge over anything food related. JD knew him too well, damn it, and had waited to spring this on him till now. “What more can she do in my restaurant than she can do in town?”
“Our restaurant,” JD reminded him, his grin making Linc’s eyes narrow. “And a lot, trust me. She’ll impress even you, I have no doubt.”
Lily was nodding, but Linc had serious doubts. They were both putting a lot of trust in someone he wasn’t convinced was up to the task. Sure, she probably handled things around here fine, but was she truly up to a five-star resort’s standards? He was the master chef, after all. Shouldn’t he be the judge of that?
