The Perfect Ingredient (Dare Valley) by Ava Miles Page A

the first platter. “I understand Matt is an all-American man when it comes to meat.”
    “All of us Hales love meat,” Natalie said. “Except Caroline, who likes salad. We’re thinking about disowning her.”
    Terrance and Rhett laughed, but Elizabeth couldn’t even muster a smile. She was too aware of his husky voice, which seemed to wrap around her.
    “Then we have shrimp wrapped in one of my all-time favorite bacons. It’s cob-smoked, a rare and remarkable flavor, coming to us from the Native American tradition back East.”
    “Like a corn cob?” Rhett asked, plopping one of the appetizers off the tray without waiting for anyone to serve him. “Holy heck! This is amazing. Rye would love it.”
    “Yes, he would,” Terrance agreed, since he also knew their country singer friend well.
    “I heard you knew Rye Crenshaw,” Natalie said, clapping her hands. “Please tell me he’s coming to visit. Jill couldn’t stop talking about the impromptu concert he gave for your wife before you became engaged.”
    “That boy is about ready to get himself hitched to the sweetest chef you’ve ever met. He’s coming here for a bachelor weekend in the near future, isn’t he, T?”
    “I’m already planning the menu,” Terrance said.
    “I don’t expect he’s going to sing here, but who knows.”
    “I’ll keep my fingers crossed,” Natalie said.
    “Okay, T. What else do you have for us?”
    “Crab cake sliders for Jane. And finally pizza, since they told me it was their first meal together.”
    “Oh how romantic,” Natalie breathed out.
    Elizabeth had to fight against rolling her eyes. It would be romantic if she wasn’t so upset at Terrance. Who knew he had a nostalgic side? Okay, that wasn’t fair. Hadn’t he served her favorite white wine?
    “I made them mini meat-lovers calzones,” he said. “Easier to munch on than pizza slices at a party.”
    “But much harder to make,” Natalie said, snaking out a hand like she wanted to snag one off the plate. “Wow! I love this idea. I might have to steal it.”
    “Steal away,” Terrance said, and even Elizabeth could hear the smile in his voice. His profession always lit him up inside. Like her, he was one of the rare people who loved what he did. “Enjoy.”
    She was so sensitive to Terrance’s presence, she knew the moment he left the room. Funny how when she’d agreed to do this, she hadn’t considered how hard it would be to eat. Terrance had a way of filling her belly with girly butterflies.
    Rhett and Natalie made up for her lack of enjoyment by moaning their way through the appetizers all the way to the desserts. By the time everyone had finished writing down their scores and comments, Terrance was standing behind her again, crowding her personal space and all her senses.
    She forcibly pushed back from the table, hoping to run over his toes or smack him in the shins. But he’d always been light on his feet, and he easily ducked out of her way, a knowing look in his eyes.
    Rhett stood and pounded him on the back. Terrance didn’t move a muscle—a feat few men could muster.
    “Man, I can’t wait until the party. I’m going to gobble like a hog, eating those babies all over again.”
    Natalie patted her stomach. “I’m not going to be able to eat any of my mom’s dinner tonight, but it was worth it. Chef T, everything was incredible. Thank you.”
    He held her hand a fraction too long, just to piss Elizabeth off, she suspected.
    “My pleasure, Natalie. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
    Then it came time for her to say something. Her mind fumbled for a minute. “I’m sure Jane and Matt will be happy with your final selections.” It was the most gracious she could be at the moment.
    He must have known because his smile turned secretive, his bottle green eyes filled with a challenge. “I’ll see you soon, Elizabeth.”
    As they left the restaurant, she linked her arm through Rhett’s and said, “How about we play some poker?”
    Now that