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She grinned. “That’s awesome! I’m really happy for you, Zoe.”
I smiled back. It felt good to have her support, especially when it came to something as big as this.
“So,” she began, changing the subject. “Have you heard anything more about the fire?”
I shook my head. “No, not really. Lucian and his friends are on high alert, but there haven’t been any signs of anything. It very well might have been some freak fire.”
Annabelle stared off. “Jeez, I hope so. But that’s good, in a way.” She hesitated a moment longer, then said, “Well, I should probably let you get back to work. I’ll see you later?”
I nodded, giving her a quick hug through the order window before she headed off. I was glad to have her support, and it was nice to see her again after such a crazy week.
That was when my phone buzzed with a new text. It was a picture from Lucian that he snapped off a community board. I zoomed in to see a flyer advertising a ‘Spiciest Dish Contest’. All entries were free to enter, and the winning dish would be featured in a national magazine.
My mind immediately raced at the possibilities. This really could be my chance, even if somehow my bozo ex tried to compete against me again. This time around, I would guard my station like a hawk. Spice was my specialty too—Jacob could barely handle mild salsa, so he’d stand no chance if he tried.
Lucian sent a follow-up text after, saying, “I think you’d easily have a shot at the title.”
“I’m going for it.”
“That’s what I like to hear! All the guys at the station have been craving another bowl, so what do you think about making a pot for us tonight and we can give you some feedback?”
I hesitated. “Tonight?”
“Would that be a problem?”
I took a deep breath, my palms sweating at the thought of Lucian’s coworkers not just judging me, but my food. And sure, they tasted it before, but that was back when I was just some random food truck lady who appeared out of nowhere in the nick of time for lunch.
Now I was Lucian’s… Girlfriend? Fling?
Well, I was pretty certain I was more than a fling. But either way, their judgment might not be as lax this time around.
Most of the guys at his station were monsters. Did they know he was with a human? What would they think about that? Would they think I wasn’t good enough for him?
I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I was being ridiculous. These were good men. Lucian had said as much before.
I glanced down at my phone again, looking at the contest flyer. This could really be my chance to make a name for myself, and if I was brave enough, I could have the advantage of getting feedback from a diverse group of firemen.
Finally, I replied, “Tonight it is!”
Now, to get the ingredients…
As I closed up the food truck and made my way to the nearest grocery store, my imagination kept returning to the contest and how it could change everything for me and my business if I won. It’d be an even bigger deal than the local competition I lost, considering the exposure I could get from the magazine article.
With a renewed sense of determination, I pushed aside my worries and focused on the task at hand: making the best damn spicy gumbo these boys ever tasted.
Chapter 15
Zoe
At around six inthe evening, I parked my truck at the fire station, the gumbo finished and kept warm on the stove. There was no way I was carrying that big pot all the way inside, so I messaged Lucian, typing, “I’m here. Could use some muscle, though!”
Lucian appeared shortly after, grinning as he helped me carry the pot inside.
“This smells amazing,” he said, sniffing the contents.
“I hope they like it,” I replied, trying to not sound too nervous.
Lucian laughed. “Are you kidding? They’ll love it.”
