Page 21 of Deep Fried Devotion
"Whatever happens with this meeting—I want you to know this weekend changed something in me. Made me believe in partnerships again, in ways I didn't think were possible."
The words were meant to be comforting, but they sounded like he was already preparing for goodbye.
"Then don't let fear make the decision for you," she said, surprising herself with the steadiness of her voice. "Whatever Peter's offering, whatever we might build here—choose based on what you actually want, not what you're afraid of losing."
As the last families headed toward the exits and the carnival rides began their nightly shutdown, Birdie realized that tomorrow would bring answers neither of them was ready for. But tonight, they still had their corner, their impossible food, and a connection that made three days feel like the beginning of everything.
Even if it might also be the end.
Chapter Eight
The fair's closing announcement echoed across the grounds as the last families headed toward the exits. Tired children clutched stuffed animals, and parents carried bags of leftover treats. Birdie and Soren worked through their closing routine with a new awkwardness, the weight of tomorrow's meeting hanging between them like a storm cloud.
"So," Birdie said. "when do you leave for the city?"
"Early morning. Peter wants to meet for lunch, show me the space they're considering." Soren's voice was carefully neutral, but she could hear the underlying current of excitement he was trying to suppress.
"That's good. You'll get a real sense of what you'd be walking into."
They continued packing in relative silence, but it wasn't the comfortable quiet they'd developed over the weekend. This felt loaded with things neither of them wanted to say.
"Birdie," Soren said suddenly, his voice softer than it had been all afternoon.
She looked up from where she was coiling electrical cords. "Yeah?"
"I need you to know—whatever happens tomorrow, this weekend changed something in me. Made me believe partnerships could work again."
The words should have been comforting, but they carried the weight of someone preparing for goodbye. "Then don't let old fears make your decision for you."
"What if it's not fear? What if it's just... practical reality?"
Birdie set down her cords and looked at him directly. "What do you mean?"
Soren leaned against his truck, suddenly looking exhausted. "I've been thinking about what you said earlier, about choosing based on what I actually want instead of what I'm afraid of losing."
"And?"
"And I realized I don't know what I want anymore. Three days ago, I would have killed for an opportunity like this. Now..." He gestured at their corner, at the evidence of their weekend success. "Now I keep thinking about sugar flowers and impossible food and the way you make everything more interesting just by being yourself."
Birdie told herself not to read too much into his words. "But you're still going to the meeting."
"I have to. Even if just to know what I'm choosing between."
"And if Peter's offer is everything you've ever wanted professionally?"
Soren was quiet for a long moment. "Then I guess I'll have to decide if professional success is worth giving up the first real partnership I've ever had."
The honesty in his voice made her chest tight. "Soren..."
"I know it's not fair to ask you to wait while I figure this out. You have your own opportunities to consider—Jennie's offer, the town council support. You shouldn't put your life on hold for someone who doesn't even know what he wants."
"I'm not putting anything on hold. I'm just... processing." Birdie resumed coiling her cords, using the familiar task to organize her thoughts. "Can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"If Peter's restaurant fails again—and let's be honest, his track record isn't great—what happens to you? Do you start over at thirty-whatever, looking for another head chef position?"
Soren's hands stilled on his equipment. "I... hadn't thought that far ahead."
