Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 8

dawned on him how Staff got all those little white scars on his fingers.
    "How long did it take to get so... masterful with the knives?" he asked.
    "Years and lots of slips." Staff grinned though he didn't take his eyes off what he was cutting.
    "What're you making for me?"
    "A chicken dish with a Middle Eastern twist. Damn, I should have checked to see..." Staff's voice trailed off as he muttered softly about herbs and spices again. He put the knife down and headed for a cabinet lined with dozens of jars and bottles of brightly colored spices and magical ingredients.
    Burke watched Staff grabbing at bottles, peering at labels and putting them back on the shelf, shaking his head. There was more muttering and possibly a couple of curse words. After a few minutes of this Staff let out a triumphant chortle and waved a small bottle of brick-red powder in Burke's direction.
    "They've got it! They've got it!"
    Burke didn't think he could have sounded more excited if he'd found the Holy Grail or a $600 million winning lottery ticket.
    "This is the stuff! I just need to mix it with some thyme and...."
    "That's the secret ingredient?"
    Staff nodded and his face brightened with a genuine ear-to-ear grin."Sumac!"
    "Her secret ingredient is poison?"
    "Not that kind of sumac. There are a few varieties."
    "Okay..." Burke wasn't very hungry anymore.
    "Trust me."
    If the restaurant had a supply of sumac with their spices, maybe it wasn't poison after all, Burke thought as he tried to smile.
    "I thought you said something about thyme."
    "I did. You mix them together for certain dishes and, well you'll see. Or taste. It's not a common combination outside the Middle East, which is why it didn't dawn on me what she was using."
    Burke watched Staff concoct a little paste of sumac, thyme, olive oil and maybe a few other things and spread it on boneless chicken pieces, which he then sautéed to a beautiful golden hue.
    The chef came by at one point to see what Staff was cooking, probably attracted by the delectable aroma, but he was waved away in a friendly but firm manner. Despite that, he brought a bottle of wine and two glasses, and quickly left the scene.
    In another pan Staff cooked some vegetables and then combined everything and served it on a bed of rice. It was fascinating watching his efficient movements. Burke wasn't very talented in the kitchen, though he did enjoy cooking. Usually he spent more time cleaning up from his culinary experiments than he did cooking or eating. But Staff didn't make any mess at all.
    By the time the dish was finished, Burke's mouth was watering at the amazing aromas emanating from the sauté pan. Staff's face was slightly flushed and he looked to be in seventh heaven. He plated his masterpiece and pushed it towards Burke.
    "Try it."
    "You try it first".
    "Afraid I'm gonna poison you?"
    "No. It's your creation, or at least the whole reason you're here, right? You should taste it see if it you figured it out."
    A crooked smile blossomed on Staff's face. "Here." He handed Burke a fork and picked one up himself. “Together?"
    Burke nodded and speared a piece of chicken. It smelled wonderful. He'd never heard of some of the ingredients Staff had used, but if they tasted half as good as they smelled...
    He waited for Staff to pick up a chunk of chicken then as if on cue, they both took a bite.
    Flavors exploded in Burke's mouth. Something sharp and tangy mixed with earthiness and fresh herbal notes. The chicken was moist and tender and well, it might have been the best thing he'd put his mouth in a very long time. With the exception of the previous night.
    "I was kind of thinking the same thing myself." Staff's voice wasn't much more than a whisper and he leaned forward and give Burke a spice-tinged kiss.
    Oh crap . Burke realized he'd said that thing about the chicken and putting things in his mouth out loud. But Staff had shared his sentiment. It still didn't lessen his near mortification. His cheeks burned but Staff winked and kissed him again.
    "Is it as good as what's-her-name's secret recipe?" Burke needed to shift the subject and their thoughts away from what he'd just said.
    Staff didn't answer right away. Burke's heart skipped a few beats. He wished he hadn't asked. He knew Staff would be heartbroken if he hadn't figured out the secret after all his planning and spying.
    Staff let out a sigh, then smiled. "You know, I think it's better."
    Burke grinned raised his glass to Staff, who clinked his