Chapter 186 Testing the Waters

All afternoon, Emily couldn't settle down. She stared at the files on her desk without taking in a single word. Her mind kept circling over the small keychain. Could it really have been Gabriel? Her thoughts were a tangled mess, and she needed an answer. Her neighbor in Ritzland had cooked like a chef, and she still remembered one dish—a fiery jambalaya, rich and full of spice. If Gabriel was really that neighbor, he'd surely be able to replicate the taste of that dish. Emily's thumb hovered over the screen for a long moment before she finally dialed the number she knew by heart. The call connected almost immediately. "Hello? Emily?" Gabriel's voice came low and pleased, as if he hadn't dared hope she'd call. Emily tightened her grip on the phone and kept her tone even as she said, "It's me. Are you free tonight?" "Yeah," Gabriel answered without hesitation. Emily drew a breath and set the bait. "I've been craving jambalaya." She paused and added, "I want you to cook for m