Su - Time To Spice | Things Up - Dakota Lovell, J...

Dakota looked at her neatly organized mise en place and then at Jace’s chaotic pile of tropical fruit. She was the best in her year, but she was also safe. Her flavors were balanced, her plating was surgical, and her life was lived entirely within the lines.

Jace grinned, that effortless charm that usually got him out of trouble flashing bright. "I thought we were here to 'spice things up,' Dakota. Precision seems a little bland, don't you think?" SU - Time to Spice Things Up - Dakota Lovell, J...

As the timer ticked down, the kitchen smelled like charred citrus and toasted chiles. They plated the tacos on a slate board, the vibrant orange of the mango salsa popping against the deep green of the cilantro. Dakota looked at her neatly organized mise en

The next hour was a whirlwind of stinging eyes and frantic laughter. Jace was a disaster at chopping, but he had an incredible palate, suggesting a pinch of cinnamon in the carnitas that Dakota never would have considered. In return, she taught him how to properly emulsify the crema so it didn't break under the heat. Jace grinned, that effortless charm that usually got

"Told you," he said, his voice dropping an octave. He didn't pull away. The heat in the kitchen wasn't just coming from the stove anymore. "Sometimes you just have to break the recipe, Dakota."

"Wellington is boring," Jace challenged, leaning against the stainless steel counter. "It’s what people eat when they’ve given up on adventure. Let’s do the tacos. We’ll make a ghost pepper crema. It’ll be a literal trial by fire."