Page 78 of You Chive Me Crazy
“What the hell kind of game is he playing?” Lucas asked.
“I have no idea,” Rolando said. “That was just plain weird.”
Luckily, Damian didn’t return, and there were no more surprises for the rest of the day. In fact, we were able to forget about him and get back to working together like a well-oiled machine.
As I watched the attendees at the festival enjoying my baked potatoes and posting pictures of them on social media, I felt an indescribable joy. This was undoubtedly one of the best work days I had ever had. I couldn’t have pulled it off without the incredible support of Lucas, Savannah, and Rolando. I was already thinking of ways to thank the three of them for their hard work.
As for now, it was time to take it easy for the rest of the evening and bask in the glow of our accomplishment.
“What a day . . .” Lucas held his hand in the air above my head. When I went to high-five with him, he held onto my hand, dropping it down to his side and massaging the top with his thumb. “You and your potatoes are a colossal hit. You deserve all the success in the world. Seriously.”
“Thank you,” I managed to whisper, glancing down at our intertwined hands, feeling a sense of comfort and security in his touch.
I tried to mask the rush of emotions flooding through me, but it wasn’t easy. Lucas was someone who genuinely seemed to care so much about me, just like I cared about him.
And that was when it hit me like a ton of bricks.
The feelings I’d had for him in culinary school had returned, back with a vengeance, stronger than ever. It was as though destiny had brought us back together, and I couldn’t deny the overwhelming attraction I felt towards him. The way Lucas gazed at me, his eyes full of depth and intensity, I realized he felt the same way, that this connection between us was more than just a passing fancy.
I was falling for him all over again.
ChapterSixteen
LUCAS
Although I enjoyed working with Zoe at the festival, nothing could compare to the excitement I felt about celebrating her birthday this evening. I was eager to let her know just how much she meant to me with a special gift I had found online. I couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when she opened it.
Betsy had prepared Zoe’s favorite meal for dinner, a scrumptious lasagna that met every expectation I would have had from a five-star restaurant. The dishes had already been cleared from the table, and we were just waiting for her to return from the kitchen with the birthday cake.
“Here she comes,” Marty said, glancing back at the kitchen as he dimmed the lights.
Betsy entered the dining room with Zoe’s birthday cake, then set it on the table in front of her, the lit candles flickering brightly. “Okay, everyone. One, two, three!”
On her cue, we belted out our best rendition of “Happy Birthday” to a stunned Zoe, who began to blush from all the attention.
Rolando pointed to the cake. “Make a wish, and make it good.”
Zoe nodded, leaned closer to the cake, then closed her eyes slowly, her glow eclipsing everything around her, turning the candle lights into a glimmer. A few seconds later, she opened her eyes, smiled, and blew out the candles.
Marty snapped a few pictures as the rest of us clapped and cheered.
Betsy passed plates and forks around the table, then began cutting the cake. The warm and gooey center of melted chocolate oozed out, filling the air with the irresistible aroma of decadent chocolate and a hint of vanilla.
“It’s your favorite,” Betsy said, setting the first piece in front of the birthday girl. “Chocolate lava.”
Zoe’s mouth dropped open again. “How did you know?”
“A little bird told me,” Betsy said, smiling.
“I think I know who that bird is,” Zoe said, giving me a knowing smile.
Alexa squawked. “You are the wind beneath my wings.”
“I got you a little something . . .” I signaled to Marty, who had the present hidden behind his back.
I had delivered it to Betsy while we were out today.
“You didn’t have to do this,” she said, peeling off the paper.
