Savory Sins

ns swirling in his mind. The memory of last night with Celeste lingered like the aftertaste of a pot

t. Richard Hayes, the event organizer and a notoriously difficult client, expected

sh herbs filled the air. Adrian barked out instructions, his voice sharp and commanding as he slipped into his usual role. But his composure faltered when Celeste walked

" she said, her tone

focused on chopping a bundle of fresh basil, th

," he said curtly. "Let's

into a sly smile. "Of

rony, and Adrian felt hi

over a counter, every time her fingers brushed his as they exchanged utensils, Adrian felt the heat sim

brief lull, her voice low en

r, his brows fu

last ni

oice harsher than he intended.

pression unreadable. "Fine. But f

sous chefs called for his attentio

the final menu, one of his pastry chefs a

e said, holding up a bowl of what should have been smoot

ch dropped. "W

It was fine earlier, but no

wasn't just a mistake-it had been tampered with. Someon

Who would sabotage

is voice tight. "And don't

was speaking with one of the servers, her expression calm and compose

But the timing of their... encounter, combined with

arrive, Adrian's nerves were frayed. Every dish had to be per

y is late," one of the ki

ean, late?" Ad

an hour ago, but the supplie

no coincidence. First the ganache, now the

for his underhanded tactics. Adrian wouldn't put it past Marco to p

that she was involved. She had been late last night, after all. And she had

t the salmon," one of his sous chefs s

l improvise. Use the halibut instead

osed to be his moment, his chance to shine. But everything was falling apar

ian kept a close eye on every dish, his frustration bubbling just beneath the surface

he said, his voice

, clearly unfazed by his

he said, his words coming out in a rush. "First the

d in shock. "Ar

ng closer. "Because right now,

u're accusing me of sabotage? Afte

pressing down on him. He wanted to believe her,

said, his voice softer now. "

long moment, her green eyes

the night," she said, her voice cold. "

ing Adrian to grapple with the c

t substitution was passable but lacked the wow factor Adrian had envisioned.

food critic-sent his dish back

te come back into the kitchen. This was more t

ng out of time t