“Really? Thanks. I love yours, too.” The other woman smiled as she smoothed the shimmery satin covering her rounded midsection. “There weren’t many options to choose from, thanks to this little fella.”
“You’re having a boy?”
Natalie chuckled. “Oh, I have no idea. I go back and forth between calling our growing bundle a him or her.”
“Which are you hoping for?”
“Honestly?” Maternal love filled her dark gaze. “It doesn’t matter to us at all. I know it sounds cliché, but as long as our baby is healthy, we don’t care either way. Ido, however, need more of those little cheesecake things.” Natalie arched a brow before adding, “STAT.”
“Already?” Scottie abandoned the platter of salmon appetizer bites she’d been carefully arranging to walk toward the woman she’d met earlier that morning. A woman who, from what Sloane had said during their initial introductions, was instrumental in starting up the private security firm Chase worked for.
Chase.
Aaaand just like that, the man’s handsome face filled her mind’s eye. Again.
The truth was, Chase had pretty much consumed her every thought ever since their unexpected reunion. Minus a few moments of clarity when tonight’s gala took center stage, of course. But mostly, she’d thought of little else besides the mouthwatering man she’d known as a boy.
Scottie had hoped to ask him more about, well, everything, on the drive here to deliver the food. Unfortunately, Chase had received a work-related phone call that hadn’t ended until they were less than a block from their destination.
Once they’d arrived, their time together had morphed into a whirlwind of unloading the trays and placing them into either the walk-in cooler or the multiple warmers, depending on what the items were.
When they’d finished, Scottie had been so lost in her mental list of last-minute to-dos for the fundraiser she’d barely said two words to him the entire ride back. Now he was somewhere standing guard—while wearing a tux, no less—and probably looking even more delicious than the food she painstakingly created.
“I swear, I can’t seem to get enough of those little cheesecake things. And given the rate at which they’re vanishing, I’m not the only one. You really outdid yourself.”
Scottie ignored the imagined picture of Chase Boyer in a tuxedo and focused on the other woman in the room. “Thank you. I’m glad they turned out okay.”
“Okay?”Natalie’s pretty brown eyes grew incredulous. “Girl, those tiny bites of heaven are disappearing faster than my waistline,” the pregnant woman joked.
A soft chuckle shook Scottie’s shoulders. “I suppose that’s better than no one wanting to eat them at all.”
Natalie leaned her backside against the edge of a nearby counter. “Trust me. I bet, even without my help, you won’t have a single one left by the time the band starts playing.”
Shoot! The band!
She glanced down at her watch. “When is that again? I’m supposed to have the remnants of the main course items cleared off the buffet table before the dancing starts.”
“You have time.” The kind woman flashed her a sweet smile. “The dance portion of the night isn’t supposed to start for another fifteen minutes.”
“Oh, thank goodness!” Scottie’s exclamation escaped with an exhale of relief. And then, “I swear, I’m not usually this high-strung. It’s just…I know how important this event is for Sloane and the shelter, and with this being my first year on staff…I don’t know.” She blew out a breath. “I guess I’m justafraid of messing something up.”
Natalie’s pretty expression softened. “Well take a deep breath and try to relax because, from what I’ve tasted, you’re an amazing chef. And from the comments I’ve heard in passing, everyone out there would agree.”
A sense of pride began to ease some of her fired-up nerves. The sweet woman’s reminder was one she hadn’t realized she needed but apparently had.
Because shewasa good chef. Great, even. And, though Scottie no longer cooked or baked for the attention or the accolades, it was still nice to hear when people enjoyed her culinary creations.
The real reward in this new endeavor, however, was getting to spend her days cooking for women who were less fortunate than her. If she could offer them even a small slice of peace and comfort while they were residents of Liberty House, then as far as Scottie was concerned, that was better than any televised award she could ever receive.
Funny how some things change.
Growing up, she’d always imagined herself a star. It had been her dream to make a name for herself. To host her very own cooking show and eventually become a household name known across the globe for her delectable talents.
That had once been her dream. But Scottie knew all too well that not all dreams come true. At least she was lucky enough to still be alive…and still be able to make a living doing what she loved most.
At least you’re finally safe.
“Do you need any help?” Natalie spoke up again. “I might move a bit slow, and I’ll definitely waddle, but I have two free hands.”