Taste (H.S. / A.U.)

Chapter 64

DOUBLE UPDATE: Chapter 64-65

ELOISE DUPONT

I hadn't even had a moment to catch my breath today, let alone pause. From the frantic last-minute packing, to handling final details with Nonna, hopping on a plane, and then landing just in time to rush straight to class. Today had turned into an absolute whirlwind. All I wanted was a moment to stop, take a deep breath, maybe even sip some water. But even that would have to wait.

I was already running late and would probably arrive just as class was supposed to start.

Flipping through my notes, I muttered under my breath, rehearsing today's entrée. "Roasted broccoli, red onions, and crispy prosciutto tossed in a miso Caesar dressing, served alongside salmon broiled with Cajun seasoning, Japanese BBQ sauce, and garlic." I sighed, realizing I probably should have chosen something other than fish. With how packed my day was, class, then rushing straight to Harry's show, the last thing I needed was to smell like salmon all night.

Ricky maneuvered us through traffic with a New York Style ease, weaving between cars like it was second nature. The rental car was small but surprisingly efficient, managing to fit him, Jade, me, and all our luggage. Still, the sheer amount of stuff crammed inside made it feel like we had stumbled straight out of a clown car skit.

On the plane, when I mentioned my latest plan, Ricky had immediately pulled out his notebook, jotting down ideas and sketching out details, already making moves to turn my dream into a reality. He loved the concept, and Jade had been just as excited, scrolling through her phone, searching for ways to contribute. Their enthusiasm was contagious.

With my excitement fluttering, I wanted to talk to Harry, even just to hear his voice. Before I knew it, I had dialed Harry's number to let him know we were finally heading into the city. His voice was groggy when he answered, heavy with sleep, and I couldn't help but smile. He sounded effortlessly smooth, that deep, sleepy tone making my stomach flip.

We fell into easy conversation, he told me about his day yesterday, I shared bits and pieces of mine, carefully leaving out my new project.

I wanted to tell him in person, to see his reaction firsthand. I loved watching the way his green eyes lit up when he was excited, the way his dimple appeared with that wide, bunny-toothed smile. He was so effortlessly charming, and it made my heart soar. Lost in a daze of thoughts about him, I barely noticed when the car rolled to a stop in front of the school.

This wasn't just any school. The building before me was stunning, sleek, modern, and impossibly polished. It looked nothing like the cozy, rustic cooking schools I had imagined when I thought about Italy. This was something out of a high-end culinary magazine. The thought of stepping inside, of possibly making a mess in such a pristine space, sent a flicker of nervousness through me. And today wasn't just any class, it was my biggest one yet, twenty-six students.

Even though this was one of the simplest menus of the trip, the nerves still crept in. Maybe it was because my mind was still stuck on seeing Harry later. Maybe it was because social media had been a relentless storm of attention lately, my name circulating as "Harry Styles' new girlfriend of the week."

I had stopped checking my phone as much, tired of the endless messages from people I hadn't spoken to in years. Old acquaintances suddenly wanted to catch up, except they didn't really care about me, just about him. The only people I actually bothered to reply to were Harper, Harry, and Olivia from back home. Olivia had left me a loud, excited voicemail, demanding to know when I was coming home and—more importantly—if I'd be bringing Harry Styles with me.