Page 73 of Finding Yesterday

Ms. Shirley approaches. “You said if Mr. Jack became your type, you’d let me know.” She winks.

“He became my type.”

She snaps her gum. “Mmm hmm, that he sure did.”

* * *

IN THE KITCHENI’m giddy, but I’m trying to act normal. Jordan and Nick are busy preparing Jack’s special fillet, and by the way they are looking at me, it seems they know too.

My gig with Jack is up—although I’m not sure why I care. We’re going to be together, and I guess the world can know it.

I gaze around, and the kitchen looks different to me now. It’s pretty amazing when I think about it. Everything I’ve made here—the grits, the veggie burgers, the other sides on the restaurant’s menu—are all Mama’s recipes. The inspiring recipes I changed are Mama’s originals, something I’d always dreamed about.

I’ve been living my dream and I hadn’t even realized it.

And here is where it happened. Where I made Mama’s recipes, already amazing, even better. Better enough that everyone wanted to use mine instead of hers. And somehow, The Fine Bone, the place that seemed all wrong, has become home.

I guess that’s what Emma meant when she told me to try out different things. Sometimes you can’t know what’s right until you’re stuck in it, like a puddle, knee-deep.

I take out my spicy mud pie. It took me three tries, but I think I got it just the way Jack had envisioned it. At least I hope so.

I have four of the pies, only one of them spicy, which should be enough to feed the town. I put red chilis around Jack’s dish and garnish the rest with cocoa nibs. I bring them out from the kitchen, two at a time, and place them all on the table.

Jack approaches wide-eyed, saying, “You didn’t.”

“I did.”

“Would it be the worst thing ever if I had dessert first?”

“It’s your party. Eat dessert first.” I cut him a piece and hand it to him on a plate.

After taking a bite, he closes his eyes. “This. I mean…” He points the fork at the pie. “This.”

I laugh. “I’ll take that as a thumbs-up.”

Emma and Dylan approach, and with them is an older woman I don’t recognize. I walk over to them, smiling, and I know what’s coming next. Sure enough, Dylan points and says, “Chocolate! Please, Mr. Jack.”

Jack looks at Emma, and she gives him a thumbs-up.

Jack raises his brows. “It’s spicy chocolate. You think you can handle spicy, big guy?”

“Yup.” Dylan nods.

“All right.” Jack gives him a small piece. When Dylan munches it down without any complaint, Jack looks surprised, but I’m not. That kid will take chocolate in any form imaginable.

Extending my hand to the woman with Emma, I say, “I’m Claire, Emma’s sister.”

She smiles brightly as she gives my hand a sturdy shake. “I’m Barb, Emma’s new assistant at the wine store.”

I flash Emma a surprised look. “That’s great news. I didn’t know Emma was hiring.”

Emma flashes her big smile, the one that reaches her eyes and lights them up. I realize it’s been a long time since I’ve seen it, and I smile with her as she continues, “The store has really picked up. I needed another set of hands, and Barb knows her stuff.”

Barb bats her hand. “That’s a nice way of saying I’m a wino.” She lets out a loud laugh. “Well, I’m off to mingle. I heard there’s distinguished single gentlemen here tonight.” She waggles her eyebrows.

Chuckling, I say, “It was nice meeting you, Barb,” before she drifts into the crowd toward Uncle Ozzie. I’m glad to see Emma’s hired someone fun at the store—she needs that. I’m more glad to see Emma happy.

Emma darts over to Dylan, letting him have one more bite before she says, “Okay, save room for dinner, tiger.” She takes a big bite before tossing Dylan’s plate in the garbage. Then she and Jack launch into a conversation about wine, something they’re both passionate about. Of course, I already knew that, but if I didn’t, their waving arms and bright eyes say it all.

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