Free Chef's Delight (Stories of Serendipity) by Anne Conley

opened, and Jessie’s stomach did a flip-flop as Connor strode toward them, looking gorgeous wearing a wide grin and carrying a bottle of wine. 
    “I brought you ladies a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc.  I don’t have my liquor license yet, but since tonight is on the house, I can get away with giving you a bottle of wine.  I think this particular wine brings out the flavor of the chevre.”  He sent Jessie a look that would have melted an icesicle in January, “I hope you enjoy it.”  He skillfully uncorked the bottle, and poured for the ladies, setting down the glasses with a flourish.  Jessie couldn’t take her eyes off him.  Standing there in his Chef’s whites and black slacks, his impressive form seemed exaggerated somehow.  “Your first course should be out shortly.  I hope you don’t mind me serving you.  I really want to see your reactions.”  He winked at them, before turning to go back into the kitchen.
    “Holy shit, Jessie.  You didn’t tell me this was the guy from the bar!”  Summer’s eyes gleamed with mischief.  “You dirty dawg!”
    “Shut up!  I’m not starting anything with him, Summer.  He’s giving me a lot of business, and I don’t want to screw it up.  This is purely a professional thing.”
    “Does he know that?”
    “Of course he does.”
    “I couldn’t tell, with the way he was looking at you.”  Summer eyeballed her with a raised brow.
    Jessie opened her mouth to respond, but was interrupted when the kitchen door opened again, and Connor reappeared holding a colorful platter.
    “This is my take on the traditional Caprese Salad, from Italy.  Instead of mozzarella, however, I’m using the herbed chevre, and instead of balsamic vinegar, I just opted to use olive oil, so as not to compete with the tangy flavor of the cheese.  The tomatoes are fresh, picked just yesterday.”  He winked again at Jessie, as she took her first bite.
    “Oh my goodness.  This is wonderful.  I’ve never had a Caprese salad before, so I’m not comparing this to anything else, but this is really good.”  Jessie said around a mouthful of awesomeness.
    “A traditional Caprese salad is tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, topped with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  Since I used the herbed chevre you make, I held back on the basil, and did without the balsamic.  I’m glad you like it.”  He bowed briefly, which caused an amused giggle to emerge from Summer.  With a slight smirk on his face, he turned and went back into the kitchen, leaving Jessie with an impressive view of his backside.
    “It’s a shame you guys are sticking with the professional thing.  He’s hot, Jessie.  Y’all could have some beautiful babies…”
    “Stop it, Summer.”  Jessie’s voice held a tone of warning.
    “I’m just saying…”  Summer waved a hand dismissively as she continued to eat.
    Jessie took a sip of wine.  “Do you have any idea how much money he gave me for my stuff yesterday?  And he’s placing the same order every week.  I’ll be able to make double payments on my loan, if it keeps up.  I can’t afford to lose him as a customer.”
    “I’m glad it’s going well for you, Jessie.  I’m just kidding around.”  She took a sip of her wine.  “He is pretty, though, yes?”
    “Yes, he is definitely daydream material.”  Jessie sighed, as she forked another mouthful of the salad into her mouth.
    Connor returned with another dish, this one a fig and chevre pizza.  He set it on the table, before serving Jessie and Summer each a slice.
    “Pizza!  Now this is my kind of food.”  Summer eagerly took a large bite, and Jessie followed suit, all under Connor’s close scrutiny.
    The pizza was cheesy, and slightly sweet, which surprised Jessie.  Her eyes widened in pleasure as she groaned.
    “This is amazing, Connor.”  She said with her mouth full.  “I didn’t know my cheese could taste this good.” 
    “Goat cheese and figs have been paired together for