Page 52 of The Chef's Kiss
“Nothing.”
“Hudson.”
“You’re good with people. I’m just wondering how you were so awful with me at first.”
She scowled at that and stuffed the rest of her scone into her mouth.
“Slow down there, champ.” I couldn’t help the smile that came to my lips.
“Can’t.” She swallowed. “Have to finish it before we go next door.”
I looked up at the sign for Jake’s Cakes. My eyes drifted to the window to find him glaring out at us.
“Oops,” she said. “Caught.”
Jake opened the glass door. “Just get in here, Jorgie. And you can bring the chef with you.”
I followed her in, still munching on my scone. This time, he didn’t make me put my coffee outside, despite the sign still declaring this a Hugga-Mugga-free zone.
Her face looked guilty, but there was a gleam in her eye. “You can’t really blame me for eating her baked goods, can you? Honestly, Jake, I don’t get why you two hate each other so much. Maybe it’s not hate at all.” She smirked.
“Oh, stop.” He practically growled the word, but I almost had to agree. Otherwise, their fight was utterly ridiculous. Surely a town was big enough for two shops selling baked goods and coffee. “I assume you brought him to sweet talk me into designing desserts for that fancy restaurant of his.”
Jorgina snorted. “Him? Sweet talk? No, that’s my job. And it’s my restaurant too. I’m working for him.”
Jake stared at her. “For now.”
I was about to step in when she shoved her tea at my chest. I barely managed to catch it before she let go and lunged at her cousin, pushing him against the counter. “Take that back.”
“Get off me.” Jake tried to push her away.
“No.” She dug her fingers into him.
“Are you seriously pinching me right now?”
“Are you seriously not going to stop being an a—”
He cut her off. “Jorgie, come on. I’m sorry. You must be really hormonal to turn on me.”
Ouch, wrong thing to say. Even I knew that.
But she didn’t attack again. Instead, she stepped back calmly. “I’m assuming Conner told you then.”
He nodded. “We don’t talk much, but he brings Duke in for my carrot cake.”
“You mean he uses that dog as an excuse to get cake.” She shook her head. “I take it that means the entire town will know soon.”
He shrugged. “Maybe.”
She smoothed down her shirt. “Okay. Okay. Listen, Jake, we have a busy schedule of obstinate townies who have been way too unwelcoming to a newcomer. I really don’t want to argue with you. I’m going to go out and get some air so I don’t rip your head right from your shoulders.”
His lips twitched.
“And you’re going to stand there and work with Chef Silverman. He promises not to be a jerk.” She shot me a look. “And you promise not to be difficult. Got it?” She didn’t wait for an answer before snatching her drink back and marching out.
I watched her go with a mixture of wonder and fear. That girl could run this town if she so chose.
“My cousin is right.” Jake sighed. “I’m sorry I was … difficult, as she said. The truth is, I could use the restaurant’s business. But the desserts have to be within my skill set.”
