“They’re childhood friends,” Logan answered for her as his gaze met hers once more. “Boyer said you two were pretty tight back in the day, but then you lost touch over the years.”
Childhood friends.
They’d been more than that. A lot more. To her, anyway. Though she’d led him to believe something other than the truth. For Scottie, what she and Chase had together, once upon a time had meant…everything.
He was my everything.
But that was ages ago, and they’d both been love-crazed kids. They hadn’t spoken since, and he’d almost certainly moved on. She most definitely had.
Yeah? If you’re so sure you feel nothing for the man, why does his revised version of what you two shared hurt so damn much?
The internal demand for self-reflection took her so off-guard she barely managed to school her expression in time for Natalie’s boisterous exclamation.
“Seriously?” Shock widened the other woman’s eyes. “That’s so cool! I mean, what are the odds that the two of you end up in the same city, working the same benefit gala, after all these years?”
Apparently not as astronomical as one would think.
“I know, right?” Scottie chuckled nervously. “I’m not sure who was more surprised, him or me.”
Oh, it was definitely you.
“All I know is that Boyer hasn’t stopped talking about you and your cooking since,” Logan revealed. “Makes me look forward to tonight’s to-go meal even more.” The handsome man gave his watch a quick peek. “I’d better get back out there before Sloane fires me for shirking my responsibilities.”
Natalie assured him with an affectionate voice and a pointed brow. “You, my dear, are a lot of things, however, a shirker isn’t one of them. But yes, while I don’t think Sloane would fire one of her best volunteers, you probablyshouldget back out there, just in case. If for no other reason than to keep in the woman’s good graces so we can hopefully sample more of Scottie’s yummy creations in the future.”
Scottie smiled, and before she could keep from it, she heard herself say, “I’m happy to cook for you and the team any time.”
Wait, what? No, no, no! That came out wrong and was not at all what I meant to say!
Natalie and Logan. Scottie meant to say she’d cook for Natalie and Logan any time.Notthe team! Why she’d tossed the others into the mix, she hadn’t the slightest inkling of an idea.
Mmmm…I’m pretty sure you have more than an inkling.
Her back teeth ground tightly together as she imagined her fist flying through the air to throat-punch her annoying inner self. But picking a fight with her subconscious wasn’t going to fix the problem.
“Speaking of not getting fired, I should get going with these. Here…” Scottie quickly chose two of the paper-lined mini desserts from one of the two trays and held them out for the adorable couple to take.
Natalie didn’t so much as hesitate to snag one of the bites from her hand. “Far be it from me to turn down perfection.” When her husband snickered, the other woman shot him a playful glare. “No, seriously, Logan. Youhaveto try it.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” Logan grabbed the other one. Removing the small, accordioned paper liner, he popped the tiny cheesecake in his mouth. His eyes grew wide, and he moaned with pleasure. “Oh, man.” His strong jaw worked as he chewed. “That’s delicious.”
“Told ya.” Natalie gloated.
A beam of pride outshone Scottie’s earlier, self-induced anxiety. “I’ll set a few aside for you to take home.”
“Thanks, Scottie.” The other woman rested a friendly hand on Scottie’s bare arm. “You’re the best. And…you’re right. We should all get back out there and do what we came here to do. For me, that means mingling to help spread the word about what an incredible facility Sloane runs. And if I don’t leave this kitchen now, I’ll probably end up locking myself in that cooler and finishing off the rest of whatever you have in there.”
“Baby still hungry?” Logan teased.
“The baby has great taste.” Natalie rose onto her tiptoes and kissed her husband square on the lips. “Just like me.”
Scottie couldn’t keep the smile from lifting the corners of her mouth. The expectant parents were so obviously in love. Despite having just met them, it was plain as day the two belonged together. Like two pieces of a puzzle, Natalie and Logan seemed to complete each other perfectly.
I had that once.
Logan held the swinging door open for Scottie as she exited the kitchen, clutching the tray tightly in her hands while simultaneously brushing away the useless thought. With every cautious step she took, she prayed that she wouldn’t slip or trip in the low, navy blue heels that perfectly matched her shin-length cocktail dress.
Since breaking away from the always-watchful eyes of the paparazzi, her wardrobe mostly consisted of jeans, t-shirts, tanks, and hoodies. But given how important tonight was for the shelter, she’d wanted to blend in with the crowd.