When a new volunteer shows up at her shelter on Thanksgiving, aspiring chef Sophie Kim assumes Thomas Harrington, a famous politician's son, is there for the photo op. Reluctantly working together, they avert disaster and find love.
Written as a pre...
Thomas could never quite understand the sensation of mixing the batter of brownies stirred up. The base was a simple recipe, but beyond the flour, sugar and eggs, the possibilities seemed endless. A traditionalist would add cocoa, but his mother always encouraged him to experiment. Add other ingredients to create something different, something new. Toasted coconut gave them a crunchier texture where maraschino cherries elicited pops of sweetness in every bite. But when they'd searched for more daring alternatives, they'd discovered pumpkin brownies.
While Thomas shared the same blond hair, green eyes and tall, lanky frame of his father and was expected to follow in his father's footsteps or beyond, personality wise Thomas and his mother were two peas in a pod. She fed his creativity, his sense of humor and, most assuredly, his need for adventure. His mother had encouraged him to go to Oxford in England for school. Not because of the prestige, but for the opportunity to travel, to experience other cultures that were a train ride from Paddington station, to be young and live life.
His father cleared paths for Thomas and his mother insisted he take the road less travelled.
He added the correct amount of vanilla. "Can you add the butter?"
Sophie sprung into action, and he admired her confidence. Until today, he worried his parents, no his entire family had too much faith in him. What if he wasn't up to the task of solving real-life problems? What if all he was good for was regurgitating the practiced lines and posing for photo ops? As they stirred in the butter, a small candle of pride burned in his chest at the prospect of sharing the adventures of today with his parents. His actions wouldn't win awards or change the world, but his quick thinking might make the day of a few people who, like everyone, deserved a home cooked meal on Thanksgiving.
Thomas couldn't quite say he believed in fate. Not burning the pies in the first place was a better outcome, but the look in Sophie's eyes as she snipped open the first bag of white chocolate chips had Thomas almost grateful Matt had been selfish today. Not only did he get the chance to prove to himself he was worthy of a little of the praise so many bestowed upon him, he may have also earned the respect of the fascinating and hard working woman beside him.
"Wait." He stopped Sophie from pouring the chips into the batter. He could sense her heart rate where the pads of his fingers pressed against the threads at her wrist. "Are you sure those haven't expired?"
Her nose crinkled. "Can they even?"
Relieving her of the bag, he poured a half a dozen or so into his palm. "We should try one first. To be sure." The glint in Sophie's eye made his mouth salivate more than the prospect of the chocolate.
"They look perfectly fine." Still, she reached for his hand and at the last possible second, he pulled it away. "Hey." She aimed for the bag in his other hand, and he held it out of her reach.
"What if they're off? I can't have you blaming me for food poisoning." Something like adrenaline after running a mile surged through his bloodstream at the sparkle in those dark, mysterious eyes that might be laughing at him. "I guess I'll have to sacrifice and try one myself."
Her laughter sounded like church bells and a lightness filled his chest. "Oh, my knight in shining armour."
The mocking tone tugged at the tenuous strings, keeping him from floating away.
What he wouldn't give to be her white knight, staving off all her enemies, carrying her away on his horse. He tossed a few in his mouth while Sophie glowered in fake indignation. The sweet milk product took a moment to melt on his tongue.
"So?" She bounced on the balls of her feet.
"Not sure." He plucked out a tiny chip. "Maybe you should try one." With slow intent, he brought the chocolate to her mouth. Her lips parted and his heart slammed into overdrive as he skimmed the soft pink skin and placed the morsel on her tongue. She surprised him by snapping her lips shut, trapping his finger. As he withdrew his finger, her mouth made a smacking noise and the bag of chocolate chips fell out of his other hand, landing on the counter.
There was a plan, something they were supposed to be doing, but he was lost in thoughts of the lips he'd wanted to kiss all day, now only inches away. She was the perfect height. He'd barely have to bend down to touch them with his. His fingers had a mind of their own and tentatively traced the curve of her jaw. A thousand fireflies buzzed in his chest at the contact.
A roar of boos erupted in the other room, and reality rushed in. The kitchen. Burnt Pies. People counting on him. Thomas blinked away the desire coating his vision and stepped back. "We should get these in the oven."
Sophie cleared her throat and nodded. "We don't have much time." She snatched up another bag of the chocolate chips and the scissors while he added the open one to the batch. They worked in silence, stirring in the chocolate and pouring the batter into the pans. Thomas held the oven door open as Sophie slid the brownie mixture in.
"We should both set a time on our phones." Sophie offered, pulling out hers. Thomas resisted the urge to take the device and add his number to his contacts like he'd teased before. He assured himself there would be time for that.
Later.
After they fed the crowds.
Later.
After he kissed her.
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Hi all, D L here. Do you think they'll manage to not burn the brownies?
I'm trying something new here, writing a short story, creating emotions in seven short chapters. (Yes, there's only one more to go.)
Can you help by providing feedback in the comments. Even something as simple as "I like it" or a heart emoji really helps me know if this story is working for readers. Appreciate your help.
