Kelly turned back to his parents. “I’m so glad you enjoyed it.” A customer across the way was waving her down. “I need to get their check to them. Excuse me.” She left, but she had one ear cast toward their table. Call it female intuition, but every nerve in her body was on alert. Something was up.

She heard his mother’s giggle, followed by, “Tell him, honey.”

“I thought you wanted to tell him. Aunt Claire is your aunt.” His voice was impatient.

“What’s going on?” Andrew asked.

“Aunt Claire called tonight,” his mother said. “You know how excited she’s been about your cooking and all. Well, she’s lined up the opportunity for you to go to Paris to study under one of the best pastry chefs in the world.”

“What?” Andrew’s voice carried across the cafe. Kelly glanced over. He looked flat-out dumbfounded. “But I’m not a baker. Kelly is the baker. I’m a chef. There’s a difference, Mom.”

“You’re no chef, just a short-order cook. But maybe you’ll be as good as Kelly when you get back,” his dad said. “With any luck.”

Kelly gulped. What was wrong with that man? Insulting his own son like that? Andrew had a natural talent in the kitchen. It was something to be proud of. Andrew had expressed his disappointment in his father not appreciating his career choice, but it wasn’t until today that she realized how much he disapproved. Her heart ached for Andrew.

“You’ll be able to stay at Aunt Claire’s while you’re there,” his mother said. “The owner of the school is renting the carriage house for the executive pastry chef teaching this special curriculum. I have no idea what this is costing her, but she’s covering every dime. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Andrew pulled up a chair to the end of the booth. “Wow.”

“Unless you’ve got second thoughts about the whole cooking thing,” his dad said. “You can always come back and work at the shop with me.”

“I have a job, Dad.” He fiddled with the bottom of his shirt. “And Kelly is here.”

Kelly tucked herself out of their view. Ever since Andrew had refused to work with his father in the family business, his dad had hated all of Andrew’s ideas. Truth be told, Andrew was an awesome mechanic, but he didn’t enjoy doing that kind of work. After a long day turning wrenches, he’d been filthy and in a foul mood. When he was in the kitchen, his whole demeanor changed.

Andrew’s mom pressed her hand on his arm. “I need to let Aunt Claire know if you’re coming. The Pastry and Baking Program begins the first week of July.”

“So soon? Kelly and I had plans this summer.” He tugged at his shirt collar.