Biting her bottom lip, Vanessa excitedly scans the chalkboard menu hanging on the front of the truck. She looks so cute doing it, I hate to stop her.

“That list won’t help you much,” I say. “We ran out of just about everything on it. But if you tell me what you’re in the mood for … ”

“Hmm,” she says, nodding. “In that case, I’ll make it a chef’s choice. Rumor is, he’s pretty talented.” Another sweet smile my way. “But I don’t believe everything I hear. Just what I taste.”

With an idea already taking shape in my mind, I hop back into the rear of the truck. I drop a pat of butter into a frying pan and fire up the freshly cleaned stove.

Marlene exhales loudly and puts her hands on her hips.

“Seriously, Caleb?” she says. “After we just finished scrubbing this whole place down?”

“Relax. I’ll re-scrub it,” I say, moving the frying pan around in smooth circles so the butter will evenly spread. “It’ll be spotless before we reopen tomorrow, I promise. Cut me a little slack, would you? And cut me some onions and green peppers, too.”

From the fridge I remove a catfish filet and lay it into the sizzling pan. I sprinkle it with salt and pepper, then baste it with an improvised glaze of honey, cayenne, and cardamom. Once the fish has been blackened on both sides, I set the steaming filet onto a toasted baguette, dress it with some sautéed peppers and onions, and top it off with a few strategically placed dabs of horseradish. Along the way Marlene is muttering under her breath about having to work late, messing up the truck after it’s been cleaned, and doing all this to help her dumb ex-husband get laid.

I ignore her with a grin and focus on the food, and I wrap the whole thing in wax paper and step outside to serve it personally to tonight’s guest of honor.

“It smells incredible,” Vanessa says, gently breathing in the fresh scent while holding the sandwich in her petite hands. “Can you tell me about it?”

“Well, I’d say it’s a very interesting creation. It’s sweet on the outside. And very appealing. But it’s sharp, too. A little spicy. Surprising. And very tempting.”

Vanessa gives me a look. Then takes a big bite—and lets out a little moan.

“Mmmm. I didn’t know it before now, but this is exactly what I wanted.”

“I know the feeling,” I reply.

Vanessa smiles coyly. She’s about to take another bite, but instead she hesitates, then starts rewrapping the sandwich.

“I’m sorry to run,” she says softly. “But I told Lucas I was on my way home. I don’t want him to get worried … or, well, you know.”