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

not?”
    “Yeah, why not?”  Jessie laughed, and dug into her food.  “Ohmygod…this is…so yummy.”  She quickly took a bite of the ravioli.  “Good lord.  Where did you learn to cook like this?”
    “Mostly self-taught.  I took a couple of cooking classes at the community college where I grew up, but that was before I got serious about cooking.  I’ve always enjoyed it, but it wasn’t a passion for me until I was grown.  When I discovered my bachelorhood, I realized I couldn’t survive on take-out alone, so I started experimenting in the kitchen, and voila!  Here I am.”
    “Well, I approve.  You make my cheese taste so good.”  She licked her lips exaggeratedly, for emphasis.
    “Jessie, you make good cheese.  Period.”  He said to her appraisingly.  He raised his glass of wine in a toasting gesture.  “May I?”
    “Of course.”  She raised hers.
    “To new relationships, and their continued success.”  They clinked glasses and sipped.  Jessie watched Connor’s lips caress the wine glass, his eyes never leaving hers over the rim.
    Jessie thought about the toast as she finished eating her food.  She felt positive he was flirting with her, but she wasn’t sure how much she should humor him.  There was no way she would sleep with this guy, no matter how hot he was.  He had bought so much stuff from her yesterday, and would continue to do so each week, as long as she didn’t screw it up.  If she slept with him, she would definitely screw it up.  She always did. 
    On the other hand, if she didn’t sleep with him, would he stop doing business with her?  She didn’t think he was that type of guy, but who knew?  She originally didn’t think Chad was the type to beat on defenseless women, and look where that had landed her.  She was a horrible judge of men’s character, which was why she had always preferred to have physical, no strings attached, sex.  No relationships.  Relationships were not her forte.  And here, she had just toasted to one.  Sheesh…
    Kathy brought out dessert, a cherry chevre tart, which looked scrumptious.  “Where did Summer take off to?”
    Jessie shrugged, “I’ll tell you later.  She had a …moment.”  Summer’s friends were accustomed to her ‘moments.’ Kathy nodded knowingly, while Connor watched the exchange quizzically.
    “Ah… Oh well, more for you guys.  Enjoy!”  She set the tart down on the table.  “I’ve almost got the kitchen closed down, Connor.  I’m going to go ahead and leave, if that’s okay?”
    “Sure, Kathy.  Have a good evening.”
    “Thanks, you too.”  She was gone in a flurry.
    Connor dished out helpings of the tart that oozed dark cherries, and creamy white goodness.  Jessie was so full, she couldn’t honestly eat another bite, but she knew she would have to force herself.  It was all too good.
    After trying her first bite, she said, “I wish this had been the appetizer.  It’s by far, my favorite, but I’m too full to eat any of it.”
    Connor looked at her with hooded eyes.  “It’s okay, I can wrap it up for you to take home.”
    “Would you?  It’s so good.”
    “Of course.  I’m glad you like it.”
    “I love it, Connor.  Tonight has been really special.  Thank you.  I’ve never tasted creations made from my cheese like this before.”
    “You don’t cook at all?”  He was incredulous.
    “Not much, no.”  She looked down, embarrassed.
    “Why not?  It seems like a natural progression from growing and producing all of the ingredients.”
    “I don’t know.  I’m so tired after working all day, I just don’t have the energy to spend more time in the kitchen, I guess.  I don’t have a passion for the creation of flavors from the stuff.  I just eat them in the raw.”
    Connor looked amused.  “You make all of the wonderful, top quality ingredients, and you don’t cook with them?”  He sounded like he didn’t believe her.
    “Nope.”  She pushed her plate