While the chef spoke, a pair of catamarans with brightly colored sails skimmed across her view. Excitement rose in her chest, and she leaned to one side for a better look. Was that Sailor and his friends? As the wind propelled the crafts, they gained speed. It looked like such fun.
Todd rested a hand on hers. “Which one do you want?”
“I’m sorry, I missed that,” Maileah replied, dragging her attention to her date.
“Now, choose your stations and put on your aprons,” Gianna said with a flourish. “Review the recipes and start work. I’ll be here for questions.”
“We’re making all the dishes?” Terror struck her heart, and she fumbled to slip on a red apron withThe Majestic Kitchenemblazoned on the front. “I thought we might just watch. Like being part of a live cooking show audience.”
While others streamed toward the cooking stations, Todd chuckled. “You’re so funny. Wait a minute, I’ll help you withyour apron.” He had already put his on and looked very much at ease.
Maileah’s gaze darted to the easier ice cream and Italian soda stations, but other couples were quicker than they were and claimed those. All the easy dishes were quickly snapped up.
Todd wrapped the ties around her waist and finished the bow with a flourish. “You look like a pro.”
They should have bolted from the starting line. The only food station remaining was for the main dish. Slowly, Maileah approached a platter of raw salmon with trepidation. “Looks like sashimi to me.”
“I’m sure we’ll cook that.” Todd read their station’s card. “This is the recipe for salmon vodka farfalle. We lucked out with the best dish.”
Maileah clasped her hands to steady them. “How hard can boiling water for pasta be, right?”
Todd raised an eyebrow. “Are you okay?”
“Just excited to dive in and do all the cooking,” Maileah replied, forcing a smile.
However, as they began gathering ingredients, she decided to confide in Todd. “In the spirit of full disclosure, I once burned pasta in Seattle. I left it on the stove and forgot about it.”For a very long time.
Todd chuckled at that. “At least you didn’t burn down your home—” He stopped and frowned. “Wait, you didn’t, did you?”
“Of course not,” she replied with mild indignation. “It was an apartment. Evidently, the alarm went off, and the neighbors called the fire department. When I returned, they had been evacuated. I asked who the idiot who’d started the fire was.”
It had taken forever to get the smell of smoke out of her furnishings and clothing.
Todd drew his brow in concern. “I hope that was a long time ago.”
“Don’t worry. My mom gave me a timer that makes a loud ticking noise.” Not that she’d ever cooked pasta again after being so traumatized. That was Junie’s job now.
Another woman at the Italian soda station piped up. “I have one of those gadgets.”
Junie gave her a sweet smile, wishing they could trade places. How difficult was it to slice fancy fruit garnishes? “My usual idea of cooking is calling for takeout.”
“Nothing wrong with that occasionally.” Todd gave her an earnest look. “But wouldn’t you agree, a homemade meal is more satisfying?”
She realized her mistake. Hastily, she added, “Which is why I’m so excited to learn everything today. After I move, I plan to do a huge amount of cooking in my new place. Lots of pasta and…and other things, too. Like oatmeal cookies,” she finished with what she hoped was a dazzling smile. She would have to get Junie’s recipe.
“That’s baking, not cooking,” Todd said, breaking a smile.
“Whatever it is, they’re delicious,” Maileah said. “And with at least two or three ingredients from the major food groups.”
Todd chuckled. “This is why I like you, Maileah. You make me laugh. Only sometimes I can’t tell when you’re joking.”
“That’s me—a real jokester. That’s what my family says,” she added, maybe a little too brightly. She could think of a few other names Junie might call her. She let out a small sigh, praying she could get through this day without a catastrophe.
“We should start with the sauce,” Todd said, eyeing the measured ingredients artfully arranged at their station. He picked up a small glass container. “That smells like vodka. Better keep that away from the flame.”
“That’s all you, though I have first dibs on vodka leftovers.” Maileah picked up the recipe card. “I’ll read the instructions for you, and you can stir it all up.”
Todd rubbed his hands. “Let’s do this.” When he wasthrough, he put the sauce mixture into a saucepan and placed it on the stove to simmer.
