Page 25 of Cooking Up My Comeback

Brett: I noticed. Kid’s got strong opinions about crab habitats.

Me: He gets that from my dad. Give him five minutes, and he’ll explain why blue crabs are superior to Dungeness.

Brett: I’d rather hear your thoughts on crab cake recipes.

Warmth settles in my chest. He’s not just being polite.

Me: Now you’re talking my language. Grandma’s secret was the breadcrumb ratio.

Brett: Of course it was. Everything comes down to ratios.

Me: Spoken like a true contractor.

Brett: You say that like it’s a bad thing.

Me: Not bad. Just... practical. Methodical. Very serious.

Brett: I’m extremely serious.

I can practically see him scowling at his phone, which makes me grin.

Me: I can tell. You probably measure your coffee.

Brett: I do measure my coffee.

Me: Of course you do. Let me guess. You also iron your t-shirts?

Brett: What’s wrong with ironed t-shirts?

Me: Nothing! It’s very... civilized. Controlled. Very you.

Brett: You say that like it’s a character flaw.

Me: Not a flaw. Just different from someone who color-codes their spice rack by mood.

Brett: You color-code by mood?

Me: Only on Tuesdays.

There’s a pause, then:

Brett: I can’t tell if you’re joking.

Me: That’s part of my charm.

Brett: Is that what we’re calling it?

The teasing tone makes my stomach flutter.

Me: What would you call it?

Brett: Complicated.

There’s that word again. The one he said like it was dangerous.

Me: I prefer ‘delightfully unpredictable.’

Brett: Same thing.