Emily
That’s the problem with a tiny island. You should move with me to LA.
Ava
Not the vibe I’m looking for.
Emily
I know. You want the small-town Hallmark guy with flannel and a short beard.
Or maybe green eyes and chef’s whites. Beard optional. She shook her head.
Ava
I’d settle for someone I can trust.
Her phone rang with a video call.
“You know the right guy is out there, right?” Emily got straight to the point. Her brunette curls sprang in every direction, and her eyes glinted with mischief.
“Hello to you too.”
Emily rolled her eyes. “We were already in the middle of a conversation.”
“Fine. You’re right.” Ava began retracing her steps back into town. Emily’s face bobbed with every step.
“Ooh! Out for a walk? Turn me around so I can see.”
Ava pivoted with her phone. “This is one of the residential streets.”
“It’s cute.” Emily’s voice held no trace of sarcasm.
“You’ll never guess who is from here.”
Emily closed her eyes. “Don’t tell me…Chris Pratt. He’s from the Midwest, right?” Emily opened her eyes again.
“I think he’s from Minnesota.” Ava tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “No. It’s Zach Sullivan. His family owns the big hotel, and he’s back participating in Flavor Fest.”
“The nemesis.” Emily grinned.
“He’s not my nemesis. If anything, I’m his.”
“I don’t think it works that way.” Emily put her face closer to the screen. “How come you’re always blushing when you talk about Chef Zach?”
“I’m not blushing.” But she could feel that her face was on fire. Drat this fair skin.
“Do you like this guy?”
“I…don’t know. He’s different than I thought he’d be.”
“Good different?”
Ava pictured his patience with the cooking class and the way he believed in her. “Definitely a good different.”
“Maybe he’s your lumberjack.”
“What?”
