CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - Twists of Fate

Back at the restaurant, their secret romance added an element of excitement to their daily interactions. They developed a series of subtle signals and inside jokes that allowed them to communicate their affection without anyone else catching on. If Lucas wanted to let Ella know he was thinking about her, he'd casually mention adding more vanilla to a recipe - vanilla had become their code word for "I love you" ever since their first kiss, which had tasted faintly of the vanilla lip balm Ella had been wearing. Ella, in turn, would find excuses to bring Lucas little treats throughout the day - a perfectly ripe strawberry from a new supplier, a sliver of an experimental cheesecake she was working on. Each offering was accompanied by a look that said more than words ever could. Their happiness was evident to everyone around them, even if the reason for it wasn't. Sarah commented one day that the energy in the kitchen seemed lighter somehow, more joyful. "Whatever you two are doing diffe