Love Bytes says hello and welcome to author Claudia Mayrant joining us today to talk about her release “Place Setting”.
Welcome Claudia 🙂
Hi! Thank you for inviting me to share an excerpt from my novella, Place Setting with you. A number of the scenes in this book take place in a kitchen, at a table, or somewhere the characters are enjoying food together. That wasn’t a conscious plan, but I wasn’t surprised when I saw it had turned out that way. Place Setting is about the people and places that make one’s home and tone of the most familiar ways to offer support or show love is to make something delicious.
Of course, as in the excerpt where Gray admits to a bit of stew-based revenge fantasy, sometimes there’s the temptation to do something rather less comforting – but luckily Cameron is there to provide a distraction for Gray, and soon something more. It won’t be long before he’s fantasizing about what he could cook for Cameron, and that’s a sure sign of him getting smitten!
“Well, welcome back. Let me show you the house.”
The bones of the two-story cottage weren’t terribly different from Cameron’s own house. There were concrete steps up to a deep front porch. Gray wasn’t troubled by them, though, jogging up ahead of Cameron.
“And thanks for that,” Cameron murmured to himself. Gray was wearing pale pink chinos that showed off his tan and his butt. “I think you’ll like it,” Cameron said out loud as he trotted up to the front door.
“The ad said the kitchen had been reno’d?” Gray asked.
“Sure has.” Cameron escorted them inside and to the kitchen. “Do you cook?”
The expression on Gray’s face as he took in the kitchen answered that question emphatically. If his earlier sunny smile had been attractive, this enraptured grin surpassed it. He took in the granite countertops, the deep farmhouse sink, and the gleaming new appliances.
“I’m a chef,” Gray said as he ran his hand over the smooth surface of the large butcher-block island.
It was a good thing he was so enraptured with the kitchen’s details that he didn’t notice Cameron’s heart eyes. A beautiful man who cooks.
“Currently between gigs,” Gray said almost to himself as he poked his head in the pantry before kneeling down to inspect the oven.
That explains the six-month lease. “Sorry to hear,” he said.
“Hazard of working with a partner. But better to just walk out than give Matt a lapful of bouillabaisse, not that I ever thought of that.”
Cameron’s jaw dropped.
Gray turned around and looked up. “That was probably TMI, sorry. And slightly bitter…”
“Bitter wasn’t what came to mind,” Cameron said honestly. You’re gay was the first thing, but probably better not to blurt that out. He went for the slightly more subtle, “I’ve probably gone out with a few guys that deserved a lapful of bull, uh, bullya—”
“Hot fish soup,” Gray supplied, an eyebrow slightly raised, though Cameron wasn’t sure if that was a “you like guys too” eyebrow or a “you can’t even pronounce quality cuisine” eyebrow.
“That,” Cameron agreed. “But my cooking skills haven’t been up to challenge.”
“Just as well; it’d be a terrible waste of good soup.”
“Not the way I’d make it,” Cameron laughed. “But I’ll take the tip,” He bit his lips at the unintentional innuendo, quickly adding, “Ready to see the rest of the house?”
The rest of the house was cute, but after that kitchen, Gray wouldn’t have cared what it looked like. He was glad to see that the master bath upstairs had also been redone with a wide vanity and soaking tub, and the included furniture was decent. He could make this work.
He was conscious of Cameron behind him, probably waiting to hear a verdict. He was also conscious of Cameron generally. He was terribly cute, in a rumpled sort of way, although that probably came with being a property manager. It was a good look for him. It was a good look, period; a total one-eighty from Matt, who always strove for a GQ style. That style had turned Gray’s head the first time, but he definitely wasn’t immune to Cameron’s charms—brown hair that curled a little in the humidity, warm brown eyes with long lashes, a smattering of freckles, a dust of soft-looking stubble, and the smile that seemed to hint at a sly sense of humor. Cameron had said he’d gone out with a few guys, which Gray had not expected to hear and then he’d blurted out that innuendo about taking the tip, which made Gray’s mind wander briefly to a very unprofessional place. Gray had always told his friends in Philly that he’d felt like his hometown’s token gay kid, but maybe that was wrong. Apparently Cameron was just enough younger that they hadn’t crossed paths when they were in school but it was very nice to meet him now. Most of Gray’s friends had moved away or settled down with wives and kids, it would be good to have someone to hang out with if Gray stayed in town for a while. He didn’t want to come off as creepy or desperate though.
“It’s great, thanks. I really appreciate y’all getting it ready so fast too,” he said which was a little stilted maybe but at least not weird.
“We aim to please.” Cameron’s eyes twinkled, and Gray wondered if he was being flirted with or if he was just so out of practice.
Blurb :
Cameron Dunlop has lived in the Lowcountry town of Summer Corners, South Carolina, his whole life. He loves his home, but his little town in the Deep South doesn’t offer much in the way of dating options. Chef Gray Callahan has enjoyed success in the kitchen, but his last relationship sunk like a bad soufflé. When plans for his sister’s wedding go awry, it provides the perfect excuse to pack up and go home, where he can help out as he decides how to start his life over. Gray’s path crosses Cameron’s, and he realizes together they might have all the ingredients to save the day—with maybe enough left over for something sweet just for the two of them.
Purchase links:
Author bio:
Claudia Mayrant has been exploring the world around her since she was old enough to get around under her own power. Since then, she’s enjoyed visiting as many places as she can.
For all her love of travel, she’s most relaxed back in the South on a Gulf Coast beach with good friends, refreshing beverages, and plenty of sunscreen.
Author twitter: @ClaudiaMayrant
Author Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/claudiamayrant/