Sample Sunday: Passion
ROBYN
“So what’s on the menu, Chef? What am I trying today?”
“I made a few things for us.”
He chuckled before listening as I listed each item.
“In the fridge is dessert. I made tembleque and panetela.” I clapped my hands together, excited to dabble in each dish. Nadir’s mouth curved into a mischievous half-smile.
“What?”
“You got that twinkle in your eye, princesa,” he said.
When he called me by my family name, I didn't feel chafed like I did by my siblings. Every time my nickname rolled off his tongue, goosebumps covered my skin. He said it like he should’ve been the only one worthy of calling me such a name. I hated how much I loved hearing it from him. There was no way I’d ever tell him because he’d never stop.
“Ha-ha,” I said dryly, and he chuckled. “You love to tease me.”
“I do.” Nadir rubbed his hands together while eyeing everything. “Where do we start?”
Again, I looked over his appearance. I expected him to dress more casually since it was just us trying my dishes. But I wasn't mad at the all-black fit he sported. Stretched across the broad expanse of his chest in elegant script was the word, Ray’s. The high-quality cotton shirt was tucked into his tailored slacks.
“First, mofongo and tostones. I can’t decide which one to put on the menu.”
I grabbed two stools for us to sit, then handed him a set of silverware.
Nadir nodded while eyeing the plated dishes. “I’ve had mofongo before, remember?”
“Yes, but I tweaked the recipe a bit, and as you can see, this one has shrimp. The one you had before didn’t.”
Glancing at the dish, I admired how nicely I’d plated the mix of mashed plantain and broth, topped with three shrimp. I picked up the fork and took the first bite. Nadir ate a piece of shrimp, and while he chewed, I watched closely to gauge his reaction. A beat passed before he shrugged and made a sound that meant he might’ve been impressed. Picking up his fork, he dug into the dish. For a long second, he was silent. His eyes lowered as a smile played on his lips. Finally, he closed his eyes and savored the flavors of my abuelita's spice mix.
“You got a gift,” he told me. There was warmth in his eyes. He put down his fork, then picked up mine. “Here,” he urged the fork toward my mouth.
I wrinkled my nose and swatted at his hand.
“You know you didn’t need my help with this, right?” He lowered the fork. “I’ve never tasted anyone’s cooking as good as yours. Don’t tell my momma I said that though.”
I fought back a simper. “I do need your help. Everything has to be perfect.”
Nadir sighed. “Relax. Just enjoy the food, don’t critique it or try to figure out if you should’ve added another pinch of salt or whatever you chefs say. Out here we don’t care too much about that. Good food isn’t just about taste, it’s a feeling. You feel me?”
I nodded, and this time I accepted the fork when he held it toward my mouth. A moan slipped from my lips as I savored the spiciness of the broth and a slight sweetness in the plantain.
My abuelita always said, “A little bit of sweet mixed with a little bit of spice guarantees a good bite, every time.”
I smiled after swallowing the small portion.
“Shit is amazing, right?”
After wiping my mouth, I replied, “It is.”
Nadir ate another forkful of mofongo. “Your abuelita would be proud.”
Heat filled my cheeks at his sweet words.
“Your Spanish is getting better.”
“Thanks to my teacher,” he replied coolly with a wink.
He wore his newly trimmed locs in a loose, sloppy bun. I tilted my head to the side. The only time he wore his hair in a bun was when he was stressed. He claimed having his hair hanging in his face bothered him more.
Shaking away a sudden wave of intense fondness I felt for Nadir, I moved onto the next part of the tasting.
“I’m thinking of pairing this with a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc.” I poured the wine into the glasses in front of us. After examining the wine’s defects, I swirled the glasses gently to activate its aromas. Nadir watched attentively while biting back a smile. “Inhale and tell me what notes you smell.”
Nadir accepted the glass and followed instructions. For now, he was an oenophile, but I would make sure he’d become a connoisseur sooner rather than later.
“It’s fruity.” I nodded, impressed by his observation. “I smell pineapple. Is that right?”
“There are notes of pineapple, yes.” The boyish smile on his face had my heart beating triple time. “Now, take a sip,” I instructed him. For a second, his eyebrows furrowed, then they lifted.
“I taste citrus notes, I think?” His thoughtful eyes met mine. “Is that right?”
“It is. This isn’t a test,” I told him.
Nadir pushed out a breath, then took another sip. His relief was amusing to say the least.
“It is when I'm sitting next to a master sommelier.”
While rolling my eyes, I replied, “I’m still learning.”
“Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
Nadir’s eyebrows wrinkled as he replied, “Downplay how smart you are. Don’t act like you can’t tell me what grapes were used to make this or the history of its origin. Or whatever else you’ve learned over the years. You’re a few weeks from becoming a master sommelier. Act like it.”
I brought my drink to my lips, concealing a smile. “I didn’t know you were so passionate about…”
“About you?”
“About my interests,” I corrected him.
He chuckled. “Yeah, that. What’s next on the menu?”
AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 4TH.
For Nadir Bennett, Roseville is the center of his universe. He’s surrounded by friends and is the man behind Ray’s, one of the town’s hottest spots. He puts on a brave face but Roseville is also a constant reminder of the life he was supposed to have with his ex-girlfriend and her daughter. Unsure of how to move forward without them, he takes things one day at a time, learning that healing isn’t linear. Luckily for him, he isn’t alone on this journey. His best friend Robyn is at his side every step of the way.
Robyn Gold moved to Roseville in search of her own path. She crossed the country in hopes of finding her happily ever after and opening a restaurant. Unexpected failures and a breakup disrupt her five-year plan. When it seems Robyn’s world is crumbling and she’s facing one battle after another, Nadir reminds her that she isn’t alone.
During their darkest hours, Robyn and Nadir show one another what it means to remain true. Their friendship is built on trust, honesty, and dependability. When their relationship evolves into something deeper, the two must decide if their fear of the unknown supersedes their destiny.