by Eliza Ellis
“I know you’re really busy,” Susie said after coming through the door, “and that you really don’t put a lot of effort in marketing yourself—which is odd, since you want to start your own business—so I took the liberty of showcasing some of your work to a well-known chef, and he’s coming into town for a quick visit tomorrow.”
Kat dropped her stirrer into the bowl. “What?” She snatched the paper Susie held out for her to see. “LeBleu? Are you serious!”
“Very serious.”
LeBleu! One of the premier chefs, well-known in Europe and someone who had his own show in America. Anyone serious about baking knew the name. “He’s…he’s…”
“Amazing, fabulous, someone who is going to love your recipes. Look. I reached out to him on Instagram with a photo of one of your new cakes that you’re making for Drew and Parker. He thought it sounded incredible and wants to try it. He’ll be here on business, and I want you to whip up some of your best ideas and a few of your new ones. Show him how creative you are.” She shrugged. “You never know. It could lead to your own television show.”
Kat stood with her mouth open. Having LeBleu try one of her desserts would be a dream come true. Wowing him would blow her mind. Anything beyond that would literally be icing on the cake. Her eyes watered, and she threw her arms around Susie’s shoulders. “Thank you!”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa! You’re covered in flour!” Susie laughed and hugged her back.
Kat sniffed and wiped her eyes, knowingly smearing white flour on her cheek.
“Katrina, what on earth is the matter? You know you can do this.”
She nodded. “I know. I really needed something to distract me, and this is perfect.”
“Ah, Drew’s kiss.”
Kat closed her eyes and groaned.
Susie chuckled. “You should totally steal him away. I hope you used some tongue and rocked his world.”
“Susie!”
“Hey, your mom is right. Don’t live with regrets. Go get your Steven. Don’t let some other girl marry your future husband. What sense does that make?”
“Plenty if he doesn’t want to marry me.”
Susie snorted. “Kiss him right, and he’ll want to do whatever you tell him.” She wagged her brows.
Kat laughed. “I’m seeing him today to get flowers for the wedding. Should be a quick trip, but I screwed up this recipe. If I restart now, I’m going to be late.”
“Just throw it in the oven. People will eat whatever you make, you know that. We’ll go over the flavors you want to showcase to LeBleu when you get back.”
Kat did what she was told and was across town and running into the flower shop right on the dot of the appointment time.
“Running late again?” Drew said with a wink.
“Almost,” Kat said, out of breath.
“No worries. So, flowers. What do we need?” He turned, his gaze scanning the shop.
She was grateful he got right down to business. They hadn’t seen each other since the kiss, and she worried this would be awkward. She followed his easy example.
“It’s a simple wedding. I’m thinking a few centerpieces, and then we’ll use some vases from the hotel. And we’ll need the bouquets.”
“Great. Doesn’t the hotel have centerpieces?”
“Ones they reuse over and over. You’ll want something original.”
“We’ll save money using flowers?”
“Probably. I saw the list price for the hotel, and it was steep.”
“You’re the wedding planner. We’ll do what you suggest. Although, I think an outdoor wedding where we don’t have to pick the flowers is actually kind of perfect.”
Kat smiled remembering their shared idea at the reenactment. The setting was lovely, and marrying at the lake would be amazing. “Me too. But you’re not having that wedding.”
Drew’s smile waned. “No, I’m not, am I?”
After choosing a few flower arrangements and the bouquets Kat felt Parker would like—and not getting a response to her text messages after sending several pictures—Kat and Drew left the shop feeling satisfied and accomplished.
Drew drove her back to the bakery and followed her in, complaining about the lack of baked goods at his grandmother’s house. He picked out some cupcakes, cookies, and sweet bread and Kat boxed them up.
“Your grandmother…” was all Kat would say.
His contrite gaze caught hers. “I’m sorry about that. About yesterday,” he said softly.
“My mother had a hand in it too, so I’m sorry as well.”
Drew laughed. “Can’t blame them for trying. Grandma really doesn’t like Parker. But she didn’t like my mom either, and she was wrong about her.”
Kat stayed silent. She inferred he believed his grandmother to be wrong about Parker as well. If that were the case, then she was completely wrong about that kiss they had shared. Kat kept her eyes averted so he wouldn’t read how much she wanted him.
When Drew offered Susie money to pay, Susie said, “It’s on the house.”
“Don’t you need the business?”
“She’ll be getting more business soon enough,” Susie said. “Tell him.”
Kat’s cheeks warmed. “Susie is not only an amazing friend and boss”—she smiled at Susie—“but she’s also my accountability partner who earns her take.”
“I haven’t seen any silver crossing my palms,” Susie quipped.
Kat laughed. “She got in contact with a famous chef who will be in town tomorrow. He’s agreed to stop by the bakery and try some of my creations.”
“Kat!” Drew scooped her up in his arms and twirled her around. “That is incredible!”
When he put her back down, her head continued to spin. “Yeah…”
“Aren’t you excited?” He studied her face, his brows furrowed. “You’re going after your dreams. Making opportunities happen.”
“Of course she’s excited,” Susie answered. “She’s a little nervous, is all.”
“I haven’t attended college or—”
“Who needs that when you have talent?” Susie asked.
“I’ve only had a few culinary classes. He’ll probably want me to complete a course at least.”
Drew cupped her face and stood close. “Kat. Don’t do that. Don’t give in to fear. I know you had a bad experience with your ex, but that doesn’t dictate your future. You’re a wonderful baker. You’ll blow him away. Trust yourself. This is your moment.”
Her moment. She’d thought that moment had passed when Marcus had changed his mind about his financial support. She didn’t know how many chances people got in their lives, but one didn’t seem to be on the horizon—until Susie.
Having a second chance terrified her. She didn’t want to screw this up for anything. It could mean the chance to go out on her own and…maybe leave Springfield and Drew behind.
Kat inhaled deeply and let the air out. “Okay,” she whispered, her gaze still latched to his. How much longer would she be able to gaze into his eyes like this? To see pride for her?
The corners of his eyes crinkled with his smile. “Okay.” He kissed her forehead and stepped back.
“Okay!” Susie exclaimed. “Well, if we’re going to be ready for him, we’ll need to go over the menu, and you need to start baking, Kat.”
Kat saluted. “Yes, ma’am.” Drew winked. She watched him leave, and a small amount of fear settled back into her mind. She couldn’t describe it really, other than feeling like everything was about to change.
And that she would lose him forever.
Chapter 17
K at moaned for the hundredth time, walking around her presentation and feeling more anxious when she couldn’t find another thing to change.
“Cut it out!” Susie said from the counter. “He’s going to be here any minute, and you look like a wreck. You still have your apron on, your curls have flour tips, and you look like you don’t belong in his world.”
Kat shot her a narrowed look. “
Because if you look at my lack of resume, I don’t belong in his world.”
Susie put her hands on her hips. “If you’ve eaten your own food, I’d say you do belong there. And he’ll think so too if you act like it.” She cocked a brow at her. “What did Drew tell you about your fear?”
Not to give in to it. Kat knew as much, but that still didn’t automatically get rid of her anxiety. Presentation was everything to these celebrity chefs. If it didn’t look good, that meant the food tasted even worse.
She kept her newest creations on a separate plate as a last-minute desperate attempt to win him over if he thought everything else was too vanilla. He was well known for thinking outside the box when combining flavors and was half the reason why she became a baker in the first place. Although he mastered many cooking techniques, he’d once said sweets were his Achilles’ heel.
She had about twenty arrows to shoot. One of them had to hit.
Susie hugged her from behind and planted a kiss on Kat’s cheek before slapping the flour out of Kat’s hair. “Don’t worry. LeBleu is going to love you. No pressure, but I did talk you up as his greatest fan and inspiration. He already knows you haven’t gone to school. Told him you didn’t need to because you were a genius. A prodigy.”
“You didn’t!”
“She did.”
LeBleu stood at the door, bowler hat in hand, with a huge grin on his face. He was taller than Kat would’ve guessed, but he still sported his signature curly mustache reminiscent of the 1800s. He stuck his hand out, and Kat shook it vigorously.
“Mr. LeBleu.”
“Please, call me Pascal. Are these what I’ll be eating today?” He eyed Kat’s presentation and rushed over.
“Yes, I have a lot for you to taste. Please have a seat.” She pulled out the chair from one of the tables.
He rubbed his hands together and gestured for her to join him. “Please, please. Both of you. I can’t wait to eat. Everything smells amazing.”
After Susie and Kat sat down, he asked Kat to explain her creations to him, and one by one, he tasted them all. Moan after moan filled Kat’s ears as Pascal leaned back and placed his hand over his heart several times. He looked at Kat with disbelief, asking her several times to confirm that she indeed made these herself.
Susie did most of the talking as Kat found herself more and more tongue-tied as he lavished her with praise. Was Susie right? Was she a prodigy?
“You must come to New York. I won’t take no for an answer.” He reached for the all-or-nothing plate of sweets she had created. “What are these?”
“My last-ditch efforts. I only made them last night, and the recipes haven’t been—”
“Oh!” LeBleu practically shouted around the cream in his mouth. “Uh,” he groaned, again dramatically portraying a fainting gesture. “This is simply incredible. Some of the flavors I wouldn’t have dreamed putting together. What is your inspiration?”
Kat shrugged. “Eating. Sweets always puts a smile on people’s faces and…” Images from her childhood flashed before her mind. Her father’s booming voice of disapproval, her mother’s tears, frustrated grimaces from her sisters. “And I didn’t smile much as a child, so I wanted to see smiles for the rest of my life.”
LeBleu’s eyes held sadness. “That is exactly the kind of story that will draw viewers to your show.”
Kat’s head snapped back. “My show?”
“Her show?” Susie said at the same time.
LeBleu nodded. “Of course. Did I not tell you? I’m looking for a new chef for the cooking show that will air here. It’ll take over Middle America. It’s why I thought you had contacted me.” He nodded to Susie.
Susie’s eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open with a shake of her head. “Uh, sure. Of course.”
“Mmm. Anyway,” LeBleu continued, “you must come to New York. Be my apprentice for about…” He nodded his head from side to side. “Six weeks. I think you’ll be a master in a few other areas by then. At least, enough to do the show. Then you can return and be on television.”
Kat sat speechless. Never had she anticipated this type of deal. Maybe that he’d feature a dessert of hers in one of his restaurants or on his Instagram page, but a six-week apprenticeship? Her very own television show? She felt so undeserving and completely unqualified.
“Well?” LeBleu pressed. “Are you coming or not? I’ll need you there in two days.”
“I…I have a wedding cake—”
“No, you don’t!” Susie practically shouted. Then she awkwardly chuckled, patting Kat on the back. “Kat is so devoted to our clients. It’s one of her many qualities.” She gave Kat a pointed look. “I’ll finish that cake while you do the apprenticeship in New York. I don’t think this offer will come back around any time soon, do you?”
Kat shook her head.
“Good. She’ll do it. Thank you. Say thank you, Katrina.”
Kat dipped her head in embarrassment. “Thank you, Mr. LeBleu. It really is an honor.”
He arched a brow at her. “I hope you’re more talkative when you get in front of the camera. Your beauty is captivating, but the viewers can’t taste your creations. You’ll have to convince them by telling them they’re magnificent.”
“She’ll be no problem.” Susie gripped Kat’s shoulders. “You should see how she interacts with customers. Sometimes we can’t get her to shut up.”
Kat let out a heavy breath. “I apologize. I really have allowed myself to become stressed out about this. This is…this is really a dream come true for me, honest. I will be the most diligent student you’ve ever had.”
“I don’t take on many,” LeBleu said. “I prefer to work with people I know have true talent. Your desserts are incredible, really, Katrina. And I think if you expand your horizons, you’ll find the application easy in other areas.”
“I do have a few more ideas for breakfasts,” Kat added.
“There you go.” LeBleu smiled. “Then you’ll be on to dinner and steaks and forget all about desserts.”
Kat laughed. “Never! Desserts are my weakness.”
LeBleu nodded. “Mine too. Well”—he slapped his hands on his knees—“I think this has been one of my most successful discoveries yet. I really must thank you, Susie, for reaching out. You caught me in the right mood to take a chance, which I rarely ever do outside of food.”
Kat smiled and gazed at her friend through tears. “Susie is really one of a kind. I’m going to hate being away.”
Susie laughed and rubbed Kat’s arm. “No, she won’t,” she said to LeBleu. “She can’t wait to go to New York. She’s never been anywhere, and it’ll be great to experience a new place, new people, new everything. She will not miss that plane, Mr. LeBleu. You have my word on that. Kat will be in New York.”
LeBleu laughed. “I believe you. Good, because I only fly by private jet. Can’t afford to waste time in airport security. I’ll send a driver to pick you up, and we’ll start lessons on the plane. I have a kitchen that I like to use to test new recipes before I land somewhere and do a show.”
“That sounds wonderful! I will be standing at my door ready, I promise.” Kat shared a knowing look with Susie, who appeared more relieved and relaxed.
After LeBleu left, Kat couldn’t stop grinning and giggling. “I’ve never been anywhere,” she said absentmindedly while cleaning up the dishes. “This will be…”
“The most amazing experience you’ve ever had. Trust me,” Susie finished for her. “And I better get a cut of the royalties when you produce your first cookbook.”
“Done,” Kat said with a laugh. “But aren’t we getting ahead of ourselves?”
“Um, no. Do you know of any television chef who doesn’t have a cookbook or two or three out?”
Kat racked her brain but couldn’t think of one.
“Exactly,” Susie answered. “These television shows come with additional contract deals. It’ll probably be a three-book cookbook deal. You’ll need an agent or an attorney. Make
sure you get the most money you possibly can. If anything happens to the television show, like getting canceled—because these networks are so fickle—then at least you have money coming in from the books.”
“What about my bakery?” Kat asked. “I would have enough money to buy one now.”
“Girl, you could own three bakeries. Sure. You’ll have one and put me out of business.”
Kat gave her friend a side hug. “I could never do that.”
“Nah. There’s plenty of room in this city for the two of us. We’ll put the rest of them out of business.” Susie let out a devious laugh. “All I ask is that you leave me with a few of your original recipes so I can cash in on some of this.”
Kat smiled. “And a cut of my book royalties.”
“Yeah, that, too. Don’t forget about that.”
Kat bellowed. “I owe it all to you anyway. You should be my agent.”
“If you insist. Your career is on a stratospheric trajectory. I wouldn’t mind hanging up my own apron for a little while.”
That gave Kat pause. She never would’ve guessed Susie wouldn’t own a bakery for the rest of her life. This had been her one true love. She never married nor had children. “You’d seriously leave all of this behind?” Kat spread out her arms.
“Girl, do you know how many weddings you’ve left me to do in the next six weeks? I’ll be taking a three-month vacation after that. I’ll have to hire someone while you’re gone, just to run the front.”
“Sorry, Susie.” Kat bit her lip to keep from grinning.
“Uh-huh. You won’t remember that when you’re on his million-dollar, I’ve-got-a-full-kitchen-on-my-plane plane.”
Kat laughed, her heart light. Her life was changing, like she had felt, but it was in a good way. Her moment.
Just like Drew had said.
She hugged Susie, squeezing her so tight the woman protested. “Thank you, Susie. I owe everything to you.”
Susie’s arms went around Kat’s back. “My dear girl, no one I know deserves it more. Now, let go so we can get started on some of these orders.”
Kat complied and she rushed to the kitchen to get Susie ahead of as many of the orders as she could before leaving for New York.