Nate sat on a stool at the bar while Pete opened them each a bottle of beer.
“I don’t get it,” Pete said. “She must know what a great cook she is? In fact, she’s more than that. When it comes to food, Jess is like you, she’s an artist.”
“She doesn’t seem to think so.”
“I’m wondering if I’m the one who’s putting her off. Let’s face it, I’m not what you’d call a natural entrepreneur.”
As much as he wanted to, Nate couldn’t deny this.
“She probably thinks I’ll muck it up for her, like I do with everything else.”
“Or it’s a confidence thing?” Nate suggested. Trying to make his friend feel better, he could see Pete didn’t quite agree.
“Either way, I haven’t a clue what to do about it. The last thing I want is for her to be held back, foranyreason. I don’t suppose you’ve got any ideas?”
Nate thought for a moment. If a successful catering event like the video shoot didn’t instil a sense of confidence in Jess, he felt at a loss as to what would. “Maybe a restaurant is too big a venture for her? It’s too all or nothing?”
“Maybe.”
An idea formed in Nate’s mind. “What if you suggested she started small? Private catering for dinner parties, say? Or you could hold the odd food night here, once a month, just to start off with?”
A smile formed on Pete’s lips. “That way she’s not risking the security of the bar side of things.” He looked around the empty room. “For what that’s worth.”
“And starting small would certainly enable her to build a reputation for when she is ready to take the leap.”
“Friend.” Pete raised his beer bottle and clinked it against Nate’s. “Cheers. I think you might have just hit on something.”
As Nate joined him in taking a swig, he remembered his dilemma over where to take Flick on their date night. “I might even be able to help with the first booking. If Jess is up for it.”
“If Jess is up for what?” she asked. Re-entering the room, Jess carried a tray that she placed down on the bar. Taking the solitary piece of meat on offer, she gave it to the little Jack Russell who immediately snatched it in his jaws. Passing Nate his lunch, she waited for an answer. “Well?”
“Never mind that…” He stared down at a bowl of the tastiest-looking French lentil soup. “This looks wonderful. How do you do it?”
“Don’t get too excited, it’s nothing special. I was making it anyway.”
“Nothing special. You’ve got to be kidding me.” Nate picked up his spoon and stirred the perfect mix of lentils, onion, celery, carrots and stock, enabling an aromatic hint of garlic and thyme to rise up and meet his nostrils. Scooping up a spoonful, he blew on its contents to cool them a little before putting it in his mouth. He closed his eyes as he savoured the flavours, groaning a little as each and every one danced on his taste buds.
“Enough already,” Jess said. “Sod the food, I want to hear all about you and Flick.”
Nate opened his eyes. “What about us?”
“It’s no good acting the innocent with me. It was pretty obvious to everyone at the shoot that there’s something going on between you two. Of course, we all also know what that something is, I want all the gory details.” She jumped up onto the stool next to him, fixing him with an expectant gaze.
Nate looked to Pete, hoping for a bit of male support, however, none was forthcoming. Instead, his friend offered a raised eyebrow, making it clear he wanted the low down on events so far too. “Cheers, mate.” Nate returned his attention to Jess. “If you must know, there’s nothing to tell.”
Jess gave him the hard stare, refusing to blink even once.
“Okay, okay.” Nate relented. “We’re seeing how things go.”
Jess let out a loud squeal and clapped her hands together. “I just knew you were perfect for each other. The first time I met Flick, I thought of you and what a great couple you’d make.”
“Really. And what made you think that?”
“Because she’s real and smart and pretty. She’s authentic, nothing at all like the women in your past and everyone and their dog knows how those relationships turned out. Flick will tell you how it is, she won’t massage that ego of yours.”
Jess’s observation made Nate a tad uncomfortable. “What do you mean? Massage my ego?”
“We all know you can be a bit precious sometimes.”
