Perfectly Shattered by Emily Jane Trent

time while I was in school. Full time now.”
    “Nice. I’m not sure if I’ll go back to school. I did one year at a culinary institute back home. My dream would be to attend a Le Cordon Bleu college, but I don’t see that happening. It’s just too much money.”
    The meals were served and the duck smelled like a blend of garlic, pepper, and the cooking wine it had been soaked in. Cami suspected they knew the technique, and was pleased to see the skin was thin and crispy. “I can tell this is good before even sampling it. I pick up a light peanut-oil aroma. Nice.”
    “Looks good. I’m hungry.” Bradan began cutting into his.
    The duck, roasted potatoes, and julienne vegetables lived up to her expectations. Savoring each bite, Cami kept looking over to see if Bradan was enjoying his. He certainly seemed to be, and ate every morsel. Between mouthfuls they chatted about the city, about music, and other neutral topics.
    As the food disappeared from the plates, Cami wished the dinner wouldn’t end. She liked talking with him and getting to know him. It was so different from her other encounters. Not drinking, he seemed like a different person, even nice.
    That was stretching it. At least not annoying.
    When Bradan suggested they go someplace for coffee and dessert, she was relieved. It would extend their time together, something she shouldn’t want as much as she did. He took her to a café called Small Bites. It was a corner building with windows facing both streets, and it was fairly large inside.
    “I like their Baileys Irish Cream cheesecake.”
    “Because you are Irish?”
    “Even if I wasn’t.”
    His smile made her happy, just pleased to be having a good time with him, and relieved that they could be together under better circumstances. They split the cheesecake and ordered espressos, staying to talk for nearly two more hours. Cami felt like she could have talked with him all night, which surprised her.
    “So you grew up in Washington?” Bradan took a sip of his hot drink.
    Cami nodded. “But not here. In the wine country. Walla Walla is at the very south end of the state. It’s beautiful. Very quiet. Much more of a small town.”
    “Your parents are still there?”
    “My mom is. My dad passed away a year ago.” Mentioning it, Cami felt an ache inside. “I miss him.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    “Yes, I am too. He was a good dad, and we were very close. Sometimes I still cannot believe he’s gone, and I think if I go home that he will just be there.”
    Bradan looked at her with concern.
    “But he won’t. He died of cancer. It was unexpected. My dad was always healthy, good diet, ran for exercise. The cancer got to his lungs. It was sudden.” Tears formed in her eyes, and Cami looked down.
    Bradan thankfully changed the subject. “My parents are in Boston. My dad teaches the third grade. You’d like my mom. Everyone likes her.”
    Cami didn’t have the feeling she’d ever meet her, but it was good to know Bradan had loving parents. The conversation turned toward their life’s passions, goals, even music. It turned out Bradan was at Cube X for the experience but hoped to have his own company someday. He seemed honestly excited for her when she told him about the cooking contest.
    “It’s about making gourmet simple, which is my talent. There’s a limit of twelve ingredients per dish.”
    “Did you cook back home?”
    “Yes, all the time. In fact, my family owned a small vineyard, and provided wine for my aunt’s café. I used to create menus and cook some of the gourmet items. I got lots of experience that way.”
    “Does your mother still have the vineyard?”
    “No, we had to sell when Dad died. Couldn’t afford to keep it going. And he was the winemaker. It wouldn’t have been the same.” Cami studied her empty espresso cup.
    “I keep making you sad.”
    “No, it’s not you. It’s just, well…it’s only been a year.”
    “Yeah.” Bradan was quiet for a moment. “I don’t