Camryn squeezes my shoulders. “Everyone’s going to love it.”
Katy agrees with a nod. “How could they not?”
I clasp my hands together in prayer. “I hope and pray they do.”
The time passes quickly, and the streets fill with people. There are many who have heard of us and tons who have already tried our food and want more. My fear was that everyone would walk past and not give us a second look, but that’s not the case. I’m astounded by all the love. My staff is what makes Maddy’s Tavern a success. Their smiles and willingness to go out of their way to make sure everyone enjoys our food is heartwarming, especially Katy, Camryn, and Noah. My hostesses, Abbey and Georgia, have been working nonstop, going back and forth to the truck to grab the hot food. Katy notices me watching her and once she’s done talking to an elderly lady about Camryn’s peach cobbler, she comes over to me.
“You okay?”
I hug her tight. “Thank you for everything. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Are you going to cry on me?”
My eyes burn, but I suck back the tears. “No.”
She lets me go and waves a hand toward the crowd. “We don’t need a review from any food critic for the world to know we’re good. Look at this place. So many people have lined up here from word of mouth. We have done this on our own. That has to feel good to you.”
The burn behind my eyes turns into tears. “It does.”
Her smile widens when she notices something over my shoulder. “Suck it up, buttercup, because here comes your boyfriend.”
Quickly, I wipe my tears away and turn. Adam flashes that sexy smile of his and waves as he approaches. “Hey,” I call out.
He steps up to the side of the booth and kisses me. “How’s it going?”
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Amazing, actually. We’ve been slammed.”
He looks at the line of people waiting to get our food. “I see that. If you want, I can come back later. It doesn’t look like you have time to walk around with me.”
Katy grabs my wrist and pushes me away from the booth. “Sure she does.” I open my mouth to protest, but she shakes her head. “No excuses. Go. We’re fine here.”
“Are you sure?”
She glances over at Adam. “I’m sure. Now go spend some time with Hottie McHotpants.”
Visions of last night swarm through my mind. I fan myself and blow out a breath. “Fine. I’ll go. Call me if you need me. I’ll head right back.”
She rolls her eyes. “Go.”
I take off my chef’s jacket and hang it up before meeting Adam outside of the booth. He takes my hand and kisses it. “Sleep okay last night?”
My cheeks blush. “Not really. My thoughts were on other things besides sleep.”
He leans in close and whispers in my ear. “I know what you mean. I had something hard to take care of, but after that was done, all I could think about was you.
Giggling, I squeeze his hand. “Good. I would’ve taken care of it for you if you stayed.”
His grin widens. “Don’t worry, I’ll collect tonight. It looks like you have a lot of celebrating to do.” He nods over at my booth, at the lines that keep on growing.
“I’m in awe right now. This is just what we need. We’re building a name on our own.”
Adam nods. “You are. You’ve put in the work and it shows.”
Taking a deep breath, I wrap my arms around his waist and kiss him right in front of everyone. “How should we celebrate?”
He chuckles. “How else?” He flourishes a hand about the street. “With food. Let’s see what Chicago has to offer.” Hand in hand, we walk down the street, eating samples here and there. From deep dish pizza to fish tacos, I eat anything and everything I can get my hands on, finishing up with a piece of frozen cheesecake on a stick that’s dipped in chocolate.
By the time we get back to my booth, all of the food has been eaten. Noah raises his hands in the air with a big smile on his face. “Sold out of everything! There were people willing to pay double just to get the chance to eat one of your pork chops.”
Adam drapes his arm over my shoulder. “That’s a huge feat right there. I saw how much food you had in your refrigerators.”
I grab my chest. “I know. Hopefully, I have enough for tomorrow.”
He squeezes my shoulder. “If not, they’ll come back. Everyone’s going to know your name by the time this event is over.”
“You think?”
“Oh, I know. Just you wait and see.”
Adam helps me and my staff pack up our things and we head back to the restaurant. Noah starts up the smoker and we get the pork butts going. Tomorrow is the pulled pork contest and I really want my pork to be perfect.