An Acquired Taste

by Kelly Cain

  I nod. “Yes, I’m her daughter, Rowan. And this is my, uh, friend, Knox.” Real smooth, Rowan.

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Jane and I’ll be your mom’s nurse until seven. You can meet me upstairs. Do you know her room number?”

  I look to Knox because although the ER nurse just told us, I’ve already forgotten.

  He says, “Yes, we’ll meet you there. Thanks.”

  Knox and I gather our belongings while Nurse Jane switches Mama’s oxygen to a portable tank and places it on the end of the bed. She’s busy gathering her medicine and other items for the transport, so we leave and head for the main elevators to carry us to the sixth floor.

  When we get to her new room, there’s a recliner and a small couch that appears to double as a bed if the cushions are moved around. It’ll be good to have options so maybe I can get comfortable enough to get some much-needed rest.

  Knox settles onto the couch, putting our stuff on the floor next to it.

  I sit on the recliner, suddenly hyper aware of the situation. I suppose I’ve been running on instinct and not thinking much, but now that we’re in this new room that Mama isn’t in yet, and Knox is stretching out on the makeshift bed, it hits me—Knox has seen me at my absolute worst. My mother was in an emergency situation and I froze. I couldn’t do anything to help her but panic. If Knox hadn’t been there, I’m not sure what would have happened.

  “Hey, you should go. You only have a few hours before you need to be on a plane.”

  He sits up. His hair has noticeably grown over the past month, and the dark curls in front are half falling in his eyes which have turned redder. There are ashen undertones beneath his tanned skin. “Aren’t you worried about me driving in the middle of the night?”

  “You live twenty minutes away by a major freeway. You should be fine as long as you don’t fall asleep. You won’t, will you?”

  He shrugs. “Probably not. I don’t mind staying though.”

  I want nothing more than for him to stay and that scares the hell out of me. “It’s okay. And I really appreciate everything you’ve done for us tonight.” I remember my car as he stands. “I’ll probably have Wyatt drop me off to pick up my car before going to the airport. Maybe I’ll leave it in long-term parking while we’re in San Francisco.”

  He was reaching down for his bag before freezing mid-reach. “You’re still going? Your mother just had a heart attack.”

  The hairs on my arm rise, and the back of my neck heats. “She’s going to be fine. And it’s none of your business.” He has no idea why I would need to still do this competition, no matter what. This is for Mama more than anybody.

  He picks up his bag and extends to his full six-foot-two height, towering over me. His eyes droop and turn cold. “You really are something. Do what you want.” He heads to the door, then comes back, handing me my purse. “Give me your keys. Weston and I will return your car later this morning and leave the keys in the restaurant.”

  I’m dumbfounded and shaken.

  He rolls his eyes and unceremoniously dumps the contents of my purse onto the sofa, retrieving my keys. Then he leaves without a backward glance.

  Lillie’s Butterhorn Rolls

  1 package active dry yeast

  2 tbsp + 2 tsp warm water (110-115 degrees)

  1 cup warm milk (110-115 degrees)

  1/2 cup vegetable shortening

  1 cup sugar

  3 eggs

  1 tsp salt

  4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided

  3 tbsp butter, melted

  Grease 2 baking sheets and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add milk, shortening, sugar, eggs, salt and 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured board and knead lightly. Grease a separate bowl and place the dough in, flipping it once. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled. Punch dough down and divide into 2 equal parts. Roll each part into an 8-inch circle and brush with butter. Cut each circle into 8 triangles and roll up each triangle from wide edge to tip and pinch to seal. Place rolls with tip down on baking sheets 2 inches apart. Cover with lightly greased plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake until golden, 12-14 minutes.

  Yield: 16 servings

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  It really isn’t any of your business anyway.

  We only have two rooms this time. Hannah and Wyatt are sharing the one connected to mine. I’m closer to the elevator than the last time we stayed, but not quite as close as the first time. I still have a Jacuzzi tub, which is really all I want out of this hotel, especially since we’ll be here nearly a week.

  When Daddy and Wyatt arrived at the hospital around eleven this morning, they were tight-lipped on why Wyatt went to Houston. It’s not like I think I have a right to know why Wyatt went, but there’s something fishy going on. I’ve known them too long to not realize when they’re going out of their way to hide something. They kept turning the conversation back to Mama and her health, especially when she was awake, because they knew I wouldn’t push in front of her. At this point, I will never argue with Mama again. She can do whatever she wants because I refuse to cause her any stress. After staying up all night switching between worrying about her and sending Knox home upset, I couldn’t even sleep on the plane with guilty thoughts keeping me up.

  As promised, my car was waiting for me in the parking lot near the stairs going up to my apartment. I only had enough time to throw some items in a couple of suitcases and get my backpack together before jumping in the car with Hannah and Wyatt and heading to the airport.

  As I soak in the tub, I wonder if Knox is here yet. He was taking a later flight, so probably not. I really need to start giving him the benefit of the doubt. And definitely need to apologize given how ungrateful I was the last time I saw him. I sink lower into the tub but relaxation won’t come.

  When I head toward the elevators, it’s under the guise that I can’t relax and want to hang out at the bar. In truth, I want to watch for Knox and family, hoping I get a chance to talk to him before finals start tomorrow.

  There aren’t many people in the restaurant. Considering the late hour on a Monday night, I’m not surprised. I get a table facing the front doors of the hotel and hunker down for the long haul. Where I’m positioned, the glass revolving door is in full view. Although the scene beyond the door is dark, the lobby is lit up and everyone who passes through is easily spotted.

  I order some crab cakes to nibble on along with a glass of the house white wine. I’m still a little unsettled from all the alcohol I had at Everheart’s along with not getting any sleep in the past thirty-six hours or so. When the appetizer arrives, the fresh ocean smell makes my stomach rumble. I reach for a memory of the last time I ate and can’t come up with one. I wave for the waiter and add cioppino and sourdough bread to my order.

  By the time I’m finishing my stew, a familiar face walks into the restaurant. I slump in my chair, but I’m right out in the open and there’s no way Mike won’t see me. I knew I’d see him, but I guess my mind has been elsewhere, so I’m not quite prepared. I sit back up so he doesn’t feel bad when he inevitably sees me.

  He’s looking around for the hostess when he spots me and a smile creases his face.

  I wave and try to fix my face to look equally excited to see him. I like Mike and he’s been nothing but nice to me, but I’d hoped to catch a different man tonight.

  He takes my wave as an invitation so I stand when he reaches me, and we hug. “Hey there.”

  “Hi, Mike. When’d you get here?”

  He’s bright-eyed so his response makes sense. “This morning. I wandered around the city most of the day, and when I got back this afternoon, I sunk into a long nap. When I woke up, I was starved. How about you?”

  He’s standing there awkwardly, and I don’t feel as though I have a choice but to ask him to join me. “A couple hours ago. You want to sit?”

&nbs
p; He brightens even more and pulls out the chair opposite me. “Why, thank you. I’d love to. How was your flight?”

  We make small talk and I steal glances at the door. Although if Knox comes through, I’m not sure how I could talk to him tonight given Mike’s presence.

  When the waitress takes Mike’s order, her gaze stays on him a little longer than expected. I think back to what Mama said about him being fine, but I don’t see it. Clearly Lillie and the waitress disagree.

  I order dessert and a glass of port so I don’t have to sit there and watch Mike eat. It would be rude to abruptly go back to my room even though I want nothing more at this point.

  I’m not sure if it’s the warmth of the port or the late hour, but I finally relax into my chair, heavy lidded.

  Mike waves for the check. “You don’t have to stay down here and keep me company. You have a big day tomorrow.”

  “You’re right. I better get some sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.” I reach for my wallet in my purse, but Mike holds up a hand.

  “I got it. It’s the least I can do considering I’ve kept you up past your bedtime.”

  His brown eyes are twinkling but not in a lurid way. “Thanks. Good night.”

  I ride up the elevator, and I can barely keep my eyes open. When I exit, I confusingly walk the wrong way and have to double back. The Everheart brothers plus one are coming off the elevator looking at the sign for direction. What in the absolute hell is Flynn doing here?

  Flynn Everheart is staring at the back of Knox’s head, jingling the change in his pocket, a thoroughly maddening habit. Over the four years he would visit, I came to loathe the man almost as much as his son.

  I’m not even close, but Flynn’s booming voice reaches me. “Which way are we going, son? I’d like to get in my bed before midnight.”

  Knox’s shoulders stiffen and he looks at his card key. “This way.”

  Great, they’re heading my way and this isn’t even near my room.

  When Knox spots me, it’s the first time his face registers real surprise. He normally looks as though he’s expecting me even when we meet up randomly on an airplane. This time, he’s out of sorts. Maybe it’s the Flynn-effect. “Rowan?”

  Declan raises an eyebrow and smirks but keeps walking past me. What’s that about?

  Weston smiles wide. “Hi, Rowan.” He keeps walking too, though.

  I say hello to his retreating back.

  Knox and Flynn have stopped and the elder is studying me. Clearly trying to place me even though he saw me at least four or five times a year for the entire four years of culinary school, not to mention almost quarterly for alumni meetings these past six years. He’s known my mother since elementary for goodness’ sake.

  “Dad, you remember Rowan Townsend.”

  Recognition finally hits his sharp brown eyes. “Yes, yes of course. How’s your mother been? Is she here?”

  I blink.

  Knox says, “Remember she’s been a bit under the weather, Dad? I mentioned it.”

  In fact, Flynn told Knox about Lillie’s lupus so Knox must not have mentioned the latest incident just yesterday. I wonder why.

  I finally find my voice. “She’s not here, Mr. Everheart, but she’s doing okay. Do you mind if I speak with Knox for a minute?”

  He raises his brows. “Er, okay.” Then he turns to Knox. “I’ll be in my room if you need me. What time are we meeting in the morning?”

  “Let’s meet in the lobby at seven. The car will be here at seven fifteen. If you want breakfast, you’ll need to come down earlier. They open at six.”

  Flynn nods at me before walking down the hall.

  “What’s your dad doing here?”

  “Is that what you want to talk to me about?”

  I blow out a hard breath. “No. I want to apologize.”

  “Is that right?” His voice is cool and his eyes are tired, a shade of blue I haven’t seen before.

  Okay, so he’s not going to make it easy on me I see. “Yes, I’m sorry I asked you to leave. I know I didn’t seem very appreciative especially after everything you did for me.”

  “What makes you think I did anything for you?”

  My face heats with embarrassment. Fucking Knox Everheart. Every. Single. Time. “Fine, Knox. I still want to say thank you for helping my mother. And for staying at the hospital with me. And for returning my car. So, thank you, for whoever you were doing it for.”

  “Maybe I was helping your boyfriend, Mike, out.”

  I rock back on my heels. “What the hell are you talking about? Mike isn’t my boyfriend. Where did that even come from?”

  He raises an eyebrow, the smirk on his face firmly set. “You two looked pretty cozy downstairs. I hope you and Mike will be very happy together.”

  “We just ran into each other and—”

  He lifts the other eyebrow and they’re both crawling to his hairline. “And?”

  “And you know what. It really isn’t any of your business anyway.”

  He nods and turns, following the same path as his brothers and father.

  *

  I check the time on my phone and groan. Too late to check on Mama and almost too late for me to get enough rest tonight. I go in the bathroom and scrub my face, then discard my clothes, throwing them in the closet. I unpack my suitcase, hanging the couple of dresses and nice pants I brought, basically all I own, and placing the rest in drawers.

  When I’m satisfied I’ve readied everything for tomorrow, I crawl between the sheets, and set the alarm on my phone and the bedside clock. As I try to relax enough to fall asleep, thoughts quickly turn to Knox. Why is his father here? If Flynn was so upset about his sons being away from the restaurant before, him being here really doesn’t make sense. When I think of Knox, he looked a bit rough around the edges. Still no haircut and he had more than a little stubble. I don’t mind either, because long, curly-haired Knox with a beard is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. He experimented with a beard our last year of school but shaved it after Weston teased him that he’d fit right in with all the other Austin hipsters. It’s true they’re everywhere, especially downtown, and they all look alike, the fools. But Knox Everheart stands out no matter what his style.

  Why was he upset earlier though? A thought hits me smack in the middle of my forehead but it’s hard to digest. Is Knox jealous of Mike? If so, that means… I guess it means he was telling the truth the last time we were here. When we were in his room. Oh, my skin gets all prickly when I think of the last time I was in Knox’s hotel room.

  I flip over and squeeze my legs together. Jeesh, I’ve got it bad and I’m tired of denying it. Maybe when this competition is over, we’ll be free to explore these feelings. Or at least a good fuck to get him out of my system.

  I drift off to sleep with thoughts of me licking Knox’s stubbled, square jaw.

  When I wake, the dream I’ve had pushes me into the shower even though I just had a long bath last night. I haven’t had a Knox-induced sex dream in a couple of weeks, and I can’t decide if I’ve missed them or not. I do know that although the dreams are sexy, I’m ready for the real thing. Almost.

  Hannah and Wyatt are waiting in the lobby when I come off the elevator. I glance around for anyone else I might know, but there’s only them.

  Wyatt asks, “Have you talked to Mama?”

  “Yes, I called her a few minutes ago before I came down. She sounded good and she’s home. I talked to Daddy too, and he assured me she’s better and that he won’t leave her side until we get home.”

  “Okay, good. I talked to her too, and that tracks.”

  I turn to Hannah. “Are you ready for today?”

  She shrugs, going for nonchalant, but the bouncing on her toes is giving her away. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” The smile on her face practically lights up the sidewalk. I’m glad one of us is in good form.

  When we get to the studio, Hannah marvels every step of the way. From the guarded entrance to the cargo elevators lifting
equipment to the producer talking a mile a minute, alternating between us and her headset, with coffee and tablet in hand. Hannah is positively gleeful.

  We enter the set; I’m caught up short. It has changed so much from the last time we were here. The two kitchens are spread farther apart and stripped down to the bare minimum. I think back to past seasons, and puzzle out what I’m seeing. We’ll have to build our ideal restaurants from scratch so this totally makes sense.

  There’re only two competitor tables now and the audience tables are pushed back against the back of the studio. There are more restaurant-style tables closer to the kitchens which I assume will be a part of what we design. There are more seats set up so I wonder for a moment who they’re for. I don’t get a chance to think about it long though because the Everhearts have arrived, looking fresh, crisp, and ready. Flynn is wearing a suit, but his sons are dressed to impress in their chef gear. They’ve already donned their white jackets. We’ll be wearing the same this stage of the competition, and I can only hope we look half as impressive as these beautiful giants.

  I try to catch Knox’s eye but he’s studiously avoiding me. He unpacks his laptop and notebooks at their table while Flynn strides past us to the audience section, no greeting coming our way.

  Whatever. I grab Hannah’s hand. “Let’s go to makeup.”

  She looks surprised and pats her face.

  “You look beautiful but we have to be camera ready. Unfortunately, that’s quite a bit more makeup than we’d usually wear.”

  “What about Wyatt?”

  “He’ll have to go too, but he knows the drill.” I was trying to be helpful, but maybe it’s unwanted. “Do you want to wait for him?” He has wandered over to the enemy’s table, chatting up all three men.

  “Thank you, Rowan. I’d love to go with you.”

  When we come back to our table, the studio has filled up quite a bit while we were gone. Mike has made it and we exchange waves. Also, all three of the model sisters from the first round are here as well as a couple family members from the Warren and Ward families. There’s lots of crew moving around setting up as well as the presenters going over notes with each other. The only ones missing so far are the judges.