Into the Fire by C. C. Marks

Author:C. C. Marks
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: love, new york city, competition, reality television, chefs

Chapter 7

A shadow of annoyance planted firmly on her face, Shyann crossed her arms and stared at Maria. "So all this time, he's been trying to talk to me? When did he last come by the apartment?"

Maria wore a pained grimace as she chewed her bottom lip. "Last week."

Shyann groaned. Her heart hammered as her thoughts began to race. After all that had happened, she now had to question whether or not Luke was the heartless jerk she'd written him off as. Although she never intended to go back to the restaurant, she'd admit the truth. She'd been stubborn, waiting for him to come crawling back rather than doing the smart thing and just calling him. The irony of the situation slapped her hard. He had come back, but Maria had acted as a bouncer without her consent.

"And, did you really replace my cell phone along with the new number because you lost it?"

Her head moved back and forth slowly. "I just saw how hurt you were, and I know you. If he'd come in there with his cowboy charm and kissed you silly, you'd have fallen right back into his arms."

Shifting uncomfortably, she had to admit that was pretty much what had happened today—but that was her choice to make. "Maria, I'm a grown-ass woman. I don't need you to protect me."

"Shyann...I’ve been there. I didn’t want to see you make the same mistakes I’ve made."

“Yeah, but that was my decision, not yours.”

“If I could go back now…”

The stage tech approached them, cutting Maria off. "We're ready to tape again. Maria, we'll need you off set. Chef Devere, you’re serving first, so take your place beside Mr. Wildman at the judges’ table. Mr. Tracy will be to your right."

She took a deep breath and tried to relax her frayed nerves. The timing of this shit storm was horrible, but all she could do now was try to finish the competition.

As she walked up toward the raised portion of the stage, she recalled an image of the pure desperation in Luke's eyes right before the pantry door slammed. As messed up as it was, maybe in some very weird way, it was his poor attempt at trying to get her attention. But what did that mean, really? It still didn't explain why he’d let her go on and on about how she was going to be the new executive chef when he already had the job. All the while, he’d continued to make love to her, knowing she had no idea the position had already been filled—by him. How could you do that to someone you cared about?

Pasting on a smile, she nodded as Mickey Wildman asked if she was ready. Luke stood still as a makeup artist powdered his face and a hair person ran a comb through his shiny black hair.

"You and Mr. Tracy seem to have chemistry. Is there anything going on there?"

A humorless laugh escaped before she could stop it. How could she possibly explain the twisted mess that their relationship had become at this point? Better just to go simple.

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