& Basil smelled s

rd: Fig + Ricotta + Hot Honey + Crushed Pistachio. She'd labeled it the Hope Pie. Sweet, savory, sof

spring: soft sun, sharp breeze, and couples trailing laughter as they passed by. One girl pointed through th

with tomato paste from last week's experimental garlic pie. Riley hadn't washed

t the time. A

ndred had tugged Ariana in a thousand directions. But tonight was supposed to be theirs: a q

ley ha

wind in her hair and a tote

ck," she said, dropping the bag on the

n bun that looked like it had survived

lled it

er and lazy string lights. The table still bore a stain from a spilled sod

ff her boots. R

Ariana said. "Jus

e gone t

long

em of her wine glass

forward. "Sp

y said, "but

be

e New York Culin

it. That elite incubator t

f waiting for perfect timing. I submitt

d the le

h people how to tell s

or Riley's hand. "You're going

vous, flickering

sat str

to bring a bu

pa

us. Me and you. Brick & Basil a

d. "I didn't

her d

t was t

e sound of ice shifting in the wine bucket and

expression was unreadable-somewh

built," Riley said quiet

the stem of her glass. "It's ama

kno

means exposure. E

nterviews. Mayb

l disse

we c

inally l

us. I don't ca

he table. Their finger

it," Arian

led, heart

ng days wer

ntil her arms ached. Ariana reorganized inventory with the intensity of a woman managing a hedge fund. They painted a wall light t

rnt crusts. Fell asleep

aving voice notes

our sweet-and-sour sauce. I nearly walked i

g a photo of a dough ba

crew arrived,

oft jazz played. The oven

es about "heart flour." Ariana answered emails w

ot a pie in the oven. Sm

fanning the air

e director laug

na reached over and

rector

silence-feet sore, hair flo

howed them who we

r shoulder. "I think

inal video aired at th

aughter. Riley told tales with garlic in her hands. Ariana spoke abo

and dough both need time. Bu

owd er

t win the

iet smile and said, "We didn't pick you... beca

ing grant. An offer to lead a mas

y st

, and whispered, "Looks like we're not ju

it was business as

and Crushed Honey Dreams. Customers wrote notes on

tes like fig j

d when th

. Riley taught her how to shape crust with both hands. Ariana ta

l into s

ie

rt

evening, an en

sta

urn ad

a reci

randmother's

Hot Honey + Cr

Riley had made

the card, th

best stories show up

it besid

d two mo