“Well, I never.” Sheryl sounded shocked. “She hardly ever lets anyone into the kitchen with her. She’s a bit of a control freak, in case you hadn’t noticed.” She followed up with a big grin.

“Annie and I are business partners. She’s allowed in my kitchen,” Kristin said.

The words made Annie’s head swim. Kristin was making an exception for her? She shot out of her seat and eagerly followed her into the kitchen.

The evening had been nice so far. Now that Jane could stop being nervous about having to turn Sheryl down, it had the potential to become a night to remember. Jane had said no to so many things over the years, Annie didn’t waste her breath trying to convince her otherwise any longer. Jane was old and wise enough to make her own decisions.

“How are you with sauces?” Kristin asked.

In Annie’s head, it instantly translated into “how saucy are you?” and, for a split second, Annie believed she was being propositioned. She quickly snapped to. “Put me on whatever station you want, chef. I believe Jane and I have watched every episode of MasterChef ever produced. I’m ready.” Annie was jabbering.

“I prefer the UK version,” Kristin said in an earnest tone. “It’s so much more civilized than the Australian one. I certainly can’t bear the US version. All that shouting. When has shouting at someone ever truly accomplished anything?”

“Never, I believe,” Annie said, as she watched Kristin pull containers from the fridge.

“Here’s a saucepan.” Kristin crouched down, then sprang swiftly up again. “The sauce just needs to be reheated. Without burning.”

“I’m on it.” The kitchen wasn’t big and they stood in close proximity. Annie poured the sauce in the pan, making sure not to spill a drop. She’d rather die than burn that sauce.

As she stirred, she wondered if she should already extend a reciprocal dinner invitation tonight. What could she cook to impress Kristin? It wouldn’t be an easy task, judging by all of Kristin’s preparations and how everything was about to come together—probably according to a minute-by-minute plan.

“This is all very impressive,” Annie said.

“I took up cooking as a hobby after I left my corporate job. But, as Sheryl will gladly tell you, I have a bit of an obsessive personality and a hobby can’t just be a hobby.” She smiled and her face lit up. Kristin wasn’t an easy smiler like Sheryl so when she did smile, her entire face changed.

“The perfect MasterChef candidate,” Annie joked.

“Even though I can enjoy watching a cooking-related reality TV show, I would never want to be on it. I’m not one for the spotlight either. Like Jane.”