AllFreeNovel
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Most people thought it was because I lived by a special code or something, but the truth was simple: I loved plants and creating from the beautiful things grown in the dirt.
I still loved delicious, unhealthy food as much as the next person. It just wasn’t what I’d created my brand around.
I’d mixed all my ingredients as I mused. Flynn’s mom always made this for him, a special treat when he won tournaments, for his birthday, but rarely as a just because. I knew for a fact that it wasn’t a meal he shared with reporters or magazines, because it was one of the few things he’d kept close to the chest.
Like me.
As the bread sizzled in the pan, I dropped little dollops of butter all around the edges to create even more flavor. Glancing at the timer on my phone, I jogged over to the liquor cabinet and grabbed a bottle of orange liqueur. It was my favorite to bake with, a top shelf made from a blend of brandy, orange, and sugar. A quick pour into the maple syrup created a whole new level of flavor.
In another small pan, I tossed apple slices in with butter, cinnamon, and sugar.
Sure, the apples and the french toast didn’t necessarily go together, but this wasn’t about creating the perfect dish. It was about creating Flynn’s favorite dish.
When the timer went off, I had to keep myself from doing a little victory dance. I hadn’t made the dish in a long time, but it looked close to perfect. I removed my earbuds and pocketed them, glancing around the kitchen at my competitors.
Across the kitchen, Lexi scowled. Whatever she’d cooked still steamed, burnt black on her serving plate. I chose to keep my pettiness to myself and fist pumped on the inside.
“I’m just not used to a gas stovetop. When I made this at home, it was fine.”
“Hey, that’s a valid reason.” I shrugged. “It’s the thought that counts, though.”
“Whatever.”
Tom and Flynn entered the room, and my heart raced with adrenaline. I rose up on my toes, then fell back down on my heels, eager for him to see my breakfast.
“Alright, ladies!” Tom flashed a smile, and beside me, Dani sighed. “Time is up, and Flynn is ready to see what you made!”
I had to give Flynn credit where credit was due. He tried a bite of every single dish, even Lexi’s and Dani’s. But when he came to me, his face lit up.
He took the silverware next to the plate and cut into the stack of toast, a grin playing around his lips as he dragged his bread around in the syrup. The moment he took the first bite, I knew I’d won. A low groan escaped from his chest, and he closed his eyes.
“This is Heaven on a fork.”
“Does this mean you like it?” Heat radiated through my chest knowing how much he enjoyed my food, and that I’d snagged the one-on-one date.
“Harper, will you be my date to the Luck o’ the Irish Festival?”
“Absolutely,” I replied, smiling so big my face hurt.
It was the first challenge I’d won, four weeks into the show. And it was the only one I cared about.
