Chapter 14 #2
STACI KNOCKED EVERYONE’S socks off and won the next two weeks of challenges.
She kept thinking about what Remy had said to her.
It was impossible not to think about it or about him.
After all she was living in the same house with him.
They’d returned to Malibu but everything was different now.
Especially as they entered this last week of competition and everyone had been eliminated except for her, Christian and Remy.
A part of her was glad Remy was still here because she wanted him to see that he hadn’t broken her spirit. But another, secret part of her was just glad he was still around because even though it made her ache a little inside she knew she’d miss him if she couldn’t see him every day.
It was Sunday and starting tomorrow they’d have an intensive cook-off where they’d be judged and earn points every day. At the end of the week the two chefs with the most points would go up against each other in a three-course meal.
Staci stiffened her spine and met the others in the living room. She took a seat at the opposite side of the room from Remy.
“Staci, that’s not necessary,” he said.
“Just trying to be smart,” she said. “I’m hoping to win this by next week.”
“I hope you do, too,” he said quietly.
Christian arrived and then a moment later Jack did.
“Good news, guys, tonight you will be dining at Hamilton Ramsfeld’s house.
He and Lorenz are fixing dinner for you.
They’ve invited some special guests along and instead of making you wait until we get to Hamilton’s place I’ve brought the guests here to meet you. ”
Jack went back outside. Staci looked at Remy and Christian and they both shrugged.
“At least they aren’t taping this,” Christian said, glancing around to confirm that there weren’t any cameras.
“That’s one small blessing,” Remy agreed.
They heard the door open and then the sound of footsteps on the marble foyer. Jack’s voice was a low rumble as he gave directions to whomever he had with him. The next minute a group of three people were standing before them. In the middle was Alysse.
Staci was so happy to see her best friend she almost started crying. She noticed that Remy’s dad stood next to Alysse and a tall, thin woman with mocha colored skin stood on the other side.
“Everyone this is Alexi Montrell, Christian’s wife. Alysse Dresden, Staci’s best friend and Alain Cruzel, Remy’s father,” Jack announced. “You have the rest of the afternoon free. Be back here in the living room dressed casually at five.”
Jack turned to leave as Christian rushed to Alexi’s side and lifted her off the ground in a big hug. Watching them made Staci wish that things had turned out differently for her and Remy.
“Hey, girl. I’ve missed you,” Alysse said, catching her in a warm hug.
“I’ve missed you, too,” Staci said, welcoming her friend.
“I brought brownies with me. Want to go somewhere and chat?” Alysse asked.
“May I interrupt?” Alain asked. “I’d really like the chance to speak to you, Staci.”
The last thing she wanted was a heart-to-heart with Remy’s dad but she had to admit she was intrigued. “All right. If Alysse doesn’t mind.”
“Oh, I don’t,” Alysse said. “I’ve got a few things I’d like to say to Chef Remy.”
Immediately, Remy looked worried.
Staci half smiled at that and followed Remy’s dad into the next room where there was a seating area.
“I’m sorry for butting in just then but we never got properly introduced,” he said. “And I really wanted to talk to you again.”
“I’m Staci Rowland,” she said. “I hope you will forgive the way I acted in New York. You and your wife were a surprise to me. The entire thing with Remy was a mess.”
“Yes, it was. Betsy and I both feel to blame for how things happened that day,” he said. “Please accept our apologies for everything.”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” she said. “Remy is responsible for all this.”
“Yes, he is. I understand that he felt pressured by me to do something he wasn’t ready for.”
“I don’t know what Remy told you about us, but he had shared certain stories with me. I think the expectation of always living up to or rather cooking up to your reputation took its toll on him. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“I don’t know about that,” Alain said. “Maybe you were in the right place.”
“How do you figure?”
“Remy told me that you and he were involved,” Alain said.
“He did?”
“Yes and his mother and I were happily surprised that you were. We’ve never met anyone Remy dated,” he said. “But yourself.”
“You technically didn’t meet me either,” she said.
“We would have. Remy said he invited you to move to New Orleans.”
The words still caused a pang in her heart. She had relived that moment every night in her dreams. Except the ending was always different. She knew that she was still hung up on Remy.
It was what had convinced her that her feelings for him were genuine.
“Yes, but that’s not in the cards now,” she said.
“It could be. I want you to come to New Orleans and work for me when the show is over. Give yourself a chance to get to know Remy again,” Alain said.
She smiled at the older man because she remembered the father that Remy had described and she knew that Alain was here to do whatever he could to ensure his son’s happiness. And she guessed hers as well. But Alain couldn’t invite her to New Orleans. Remy had to.
And it was only then that she’d know if they had been in the right place to meet each other.
“That is a very kind offer,” she said.
“But you are going to turn it down,” he finished for her.
“Yes I am. I don’t want to go there unless Remy and I resolve things. My home is San Diego. I don’t have many blood relatives living there but I have my friends.”
“I understand,” Alain said. “I had to ask.”
“Why?”
“Because our son has never been in love before and we wanted to meet the woman who inspired such devotion in him.”
Alain made to leave. Could this be real?
“How do you know that? Did he tell you he felt that for me?”
“No. He told us by what he didn’t say.”
Staci wanted to believe him but she’d already been played for a fool. Except that if Remy loved her and she knew she loved him didn’t they deserve the chance to be together?