Page 94 of You Chive Me Crazy
ChapterTwenty
ZOE
As Marty popped the cork on the bottle of champagne in the front room of the Serendipity Inn, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude wash over me. Even with that dramatic setback on day two, the food festival had been a tremendous success. There was no way I could have done it without the support of Lucas, Rolando, and Savannah. Even Betsy, Marty, Hank, Harmony, and Jeremy were so supportive, all of them coming by to try my baked potatoes and raving about them.
And I still couldn’t believe I’d ran out of potatoes!
But the credit for that goes solely to one person: Lucas. He helped to make this day happen, the way he could get so many people to my food truck after the fiasco with Damian and Lazlo. He continued to amaze me in so many ways, and my feelings for him continued to blossom and grow exponentially. Our connection in the hot tub felt like ages ago, and as incredible as it may have sounded, we still hadn’t picked up where we had left off.
“We normally like to do the afternoon cheese, crackers and wine, but today calls for something a bit more special,” Marty said, bringing me back to reality as he went around the room and filled everyone’s champagne glasses. “I will allow my better half to do the honors.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” Betsy gave a little bow to her hubby, then held her glass in the air. “To Zoe, the queen of baked potatoes, and now a franchiser! Congratulations. Cheers!”
“Cheers!” everyone said together.
Alexa squawked. “Norm!”
Marty held up a finger to get our attention. “Marco!”
“Polo!” Alexa said.
I shared a laugh with everyone, then glanced around the room at their wonderful smiling faces, all of them waiting for me to say something when the only thing that was about to come out of me were tears of gratitude. This was probably one of the happiest moments in my life, and I wanted to imprint it in my memory forever.
“There’s no way I could have done this without you all, so thank you,” I finally said. “I still can’t believe there are going to be Potato Heaven food trucks all across the country.” I bumped Lucas with my hip. “And it all started whenthisman right here signed me up for a food truck dealership newsletter without my consent.”
Lucas held up his hand. “Guilty.”
Rolando smiled. “I can guarantee you that the Universe had been conspiring to get you two together long before that newsletter. This was meant to be, Zoe. You and Lucas make a great team, and averycute couple.”
“They do,” Marty said. “Maybe you two should work together.”
I smirked. “Only if he wears a towel to work every day.”
Lucas grabbed a peanut M&M from the bowl and popped it into his mouth. “If it pleases you, I can wear a towel now and then.” He pumped his eyebrows.
“Hey—I have an idea.” Rolando gestured to the piano. “Why don’t you please her by playing a song on the piano?”
“Yes!” I said. “I would love that.”
“What a day of surprises,” Betsy said. “I did not know you played.”
Lucas shrugged. “Let’s say that I dabble.”
Rolando scoffed. “He more than dabbles. Play something romantic for Zoe.”
“I can do that, but pardon me if I’m a little rusty,” Lucas said. “It’s been a while.” He set his drink down, took a seat on the black leather piano bench, sucked in a deep breath, then winked at me. “This is for you, Zoe.”
My heart felt a sonic boom with that wink.
The room went quiet in anticipation of his song.
I held my breath, wondering what he was going to play.
Lucas looked contemplative, then blew out a deep breath and started playing “Macarena.” He bobbed his head and shoulders up and down, closing his eyes like he was focusing on a difficult sonatina.
I blinked twice, then snorted. “Seriously? That’s what you chose out of a billion songs?”
He stopped and smirked. “Just kidding, curly fry.”
