Culinary Delight Read Free Page A

locate everything I needed. Half an hour later I was beginning to plate the meal, certain my face was red from standing in front of the heat. I chose a bad night to wear skinny jeans and a fitted, if a bit low cut, black top. At least I was wearing ballet flats.
    Midway through I’d thrown my hair up into a messy bun. It was worth it though. I was happy with the end results.
    I got the feeling the only reason why Carlos agreed to let me cook was because he felt like he was going to lose his restaurant anyways. He literally had nothing else he could lose at the moment, which made me all the more determined to make him something amazing.
    I pu t a simple cilantro garnish on the dishes. Making sure everything was off and put away, I grabbed the plates and headed back to the judges.
    “Took you long enough, gringa .” Rico took me in as I approached. If I wasn’t already red from the stove, I know my cheeks would have shown my reaction to the way he looked me up and down.
    “Because I didn’t use any of your prepped crap,” I shot back.
    I set the plates on the table beside his. “Take a look at the color on my plate.” I beamed.
    “This looks good, Molly,” Carlos said, inspecting the dishes with the others.
    “Yeah. Sorry, Rico, but Molly’s looks way more appetizing.”
    He sneered. I couldn’t tell how much was real and how much of his attitude was show.
    I couldn’t bite back my smile. I couldn’t wait for the judges to pick me.
    I glanced at the hostess station.
    “I sent her home,” Carlos stated.
    I nodded before focusing on Rico. I cut my eyes at him. “Scoot your butt over.”
    Thankfully he didn’t make a fuss and made room for me.
    “Holy shit, Mol. I forgot how well you cook this stuff.” She spoke around a mouthful of rice.
    Carlos took a small bite. His brows rose. “She nailed it, primo .” He quickly scooped up another bite.
    I knew I looked as smug as Rico did in the beginning. “I’m sorry, what was it you said? That this gringa didn’t know anything about cooking your people’s food? Hm.” I turned my nose up, smiting him with my elbow.
    He dramatically pulled the fork from the last rolled silverware set on the table. He dug his fork in, watching me the entire time.
    Electricity sizzled between us. I was just waiting for the rubber band to snap.
    His attention fell to the food then back to me. “Not bad for a gringa. ” He didn’t sound impressed, but then again, I didn’t picture him being the type to compliment. He didn’t give them; he took them.
    Molly and Carlos each took an empanada . Carlos paused with the food in his mouth. The moment he swallowed, he asked, “What do you do for a living, Molly?”
    “I’m a paralegal.”
    “Did you go to culinary school or take any classes? This is really good.” Rachel was right. Carlos was nice. He looked good, but he wasn’t full of himself. He was very humble. I found myself rooting for him. I really wanted him to succeed.
    “No. Cooking has always been a hobby.”
    “If the paralegal thing doesn’t work out, you have a strong back up.”
    I smiled, my heart warming under his kindness. “Thank you.”
    “It may not work out as early as Friday. Molly’s firm is making more job cuts.”
    I glared across the table at her. “Rachel.”
    She shrugged. “You might need a job and Rico might need a trainer.”
    Carlos cut into the pork chop, watching as the juices oozed from it. I waited for the flavors to hit his tongue. “ Ay que rico; ‘ta perfecto, Molly. I’ll fire Rico right now if you’ll take his place.”
    “Hey! I’ll admit it’s good, but really cuz? You’d do your own blood like that?”
    I chuckled. I patted his shoulder. “Did it hurt?”
    “ Nena, someone needs to take you over their knee with that mouth.”
    “Molly doesn’t do that kinda kink,” Rachel stated.
    I was going to murder my best friend and a cocky, sexy stranger in one night.
    Rico turned in the booth, leaning back against the wall,