“You’re not a dumbass,” I assure her. “You’re a woman in a male-dominated field and that makes things harder. Believe me, I know. Almost every top-level chef in this country is a man with a giant ego and a sour temper, and they’re revered like gods. But if I acted like that, they’d call me a psycho bitch and boycott everything I touch.” I shrug. “Frankly, some people already do, even though I try to walk the line between demanding the best of my staff and being an empathetic human being.”
Jess’s lips part but she breaks off with a smile and a clap of her hands. “Oh, thank you. You brought sugar, too. You know me so well.”
“Sounds like you two know each other pretty well now, too,” Cam says, his gaze shifting between us as he sets the plates on his tray in front of his friend. “How much ground did you cover in ten minutes?”
“Just a few things,” Jess says, grabbing a crouton off the top of the salad and popping it into her mouth. She crunches and swallows before ticking items off on her fingers, “When we met, how long we’ve been friends, how cool you are, how cool I am, what I do for work, how deeply fucked I am right now, and how deeply fucked Natalie is going to be if she doesn’t date you.” She looks up from her hands, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “We actually didn’t get to that last one, just yet, but we can cover it now. Seriously, woman, you should date this man. He’s responsible, sexy, gorgeous, funny, and, as you know, a completely kick-ass cook. If I hadn’t known him since we were snotty-nosed kids making worm pies in our other best friend’s backyard, I would snatch him up and never let him go.”
“I know I’m supposed to be talking you out of murder,” Cam mutters, “but I’m feeling a little murderous myself all of a sudden, Jessica. We’ve talked about this. Numerous times.”
“I know, I know,” she says, jabbing her fork into her salad. “I’m not supposed to interfere in your dating life, but I can’t help it. Since I’ll be alone forever in the code dungeon, untouched by man nor beast, I need to live vicariously through you, Evie, and Harlow.” She shifts her focus my way. “I really want to get a cat, but I can barely take care of myself with all the work on my plate right now, so I feel that would be irresponsible.”
“My daughter wants a cat, too, but our building has dumb rules.” I glance up at Cam, fighting a smile at the mixture of amusement and mortification on his face. “I’ll go, and let you two talk,” I say, pushing my chair back and rising to my feet. “Take as long as you need. I’m going to work with the meat crew after lunch, while Betsy and Tom reorganize their stations. We shouldn’t need you until we’re ready to run the new recipes at one thirty or two.”
“Thank you!” Jess calls after me as I turn to go. “So nice to meet you. And think about what I said.”
I lock eyes with Cam for a moment, the intensity in his blue eyes sending warmth spreading through my chest. I force my gaze from his as I wiggle my fingers at Jess and promise, “I will.”
And I will, though I don’t think it will take me very long to come to a decision.
Now that I have evidence that Cam truly is what he appears to be—a capable, kind, confident guy who has his shit together—I would be stupid to keep pushing him away.
Yes, I’m scared about what might happen if things go wrong. But what if things go right?
What if they go really, really right?
For the first time in longer than I can remember, hope blossoms inside of me, and I can feel my soul gathering the strength to roll the dice one more time…
Chapter Eight
From the texts of Cristina Natalia Barbu III
and Henri Thomas
Natalie: Hello, Oh Well-Connected One, I need a favor.
Henri: Of course, doll. What’s up? Want me to grab Chinese from the place by my office and drop it by the apartment for you and the spawn on my way home? After a day in the culinary training trenches, I’m sure the last thing you want to worry about is cooking yet another meal.
Natalie: That’s sweet of you to offer, but no. I was actually hoping you might be able to score an extra ticket to the charity gala on Friday. I thought it might be nice to bring The Cutest Boy in the World. If he wants to go, of course. I didn’t want to ask him until I was sure we could get another ticket and that you wouldn’t feel like a third wheel.