Chapter 22
Carina
I’m scrolling through my new official website and I can barely contain my excitement.
“It looks so slick and professional.” I keep clicking around.
“Oh, video footage of the competition.” I ready myself to click on a link when my phone rings.
I look down at the screen and snatch the device. “Yeah, Mani—”
“OhmyGod, I can’t believe you’ll be here in two days.”
I laugh. Someone is excited. “Neither can I.”
“Are you all packed? Do you know what you’ll wear for the photo shoot? Are you going slick New Yorker or country chic?”
I laugh. “When it comes to the wardrobe, I was told a stylist would take care of it—”
“Ohhhh, girl, you’ve arrived. You have a stylist?”
“The New York Times does,” I say. “Still, I’m pretty excited. I’ve never had one before. For the Food Network show, I had to wear my chef’s coat and my hair was tucked underneath a chef’s toque. A professional makeup artist did my makeup, but I think this experience will be a lot more glamorous.”
“Sounds like it. That means it’s light packing for you.”
“Yes, but it still doesn’t mean I’ll get it done early,” I laugh. “You know me. I’ll be up half the night trying to figure out what I need to stuff into my suitcase… even if I’m traveling to a fashion capital and I still have tons of clothing stuffed into the closets of my old bedroom.”
“Some things never change.”
“If it ain’t broke— I take that back. Some things have changed. Won’t your man mind you being up all night instead of cuddled into his arms?”
“Hmmm… you’re right. On second thought, I’ll make sure I’m packed before he gets here.”
“Look at you.” The pride in her voice is unmistakable. “You leave New York without a degree and you’re coming back as a competition-winning chef and the girl Rhett Sullivan wasn’t willing to leave behind.”
“My man is pretty dreamy.” I grin wide even though she can’t see.
“You’ve come a long way. What a difference a few years make.”
“Thank you, Cardi Ruffcorn. And thank you, Stefano.”
“It takes two to tango.”
“I should consider sending her flowers while I’m in New York and I should send my ex some expensive cigars. Without them, I wouldn’t have this incredible opportunity.”
“Man, you and your rodeo king are going to New York, all expenses paid because the New York Times wants to do a story on Rhett and a second one on the girl from New York who captured the small-town boy’s attention. Swoon.”
“I’m walking on sunshine,” I say. “Winning the food competition was a high, but being featured in one of the biggest publications in the country is pretty extraordinary.”
“They say revenge is best served cold.” Mani sneers. “Your success will be like an ice bucket to Cardi and your asshole ex.”
“I like the way you think, but those two are so egocentric and wrapped up in their lives, I doubt they’ll be that interested in my life.”
“I disagree. Your success is going to slap them across the face.”
I laugh.
“Speaking of sweet revenge,” Mani says, “have you told your mom about Rhett yet?”
“Some things should be announced face to face. I was thinking of an impromptu dinner. In my family, it’s much easier to tackle certain subjects when a lot of good food and wine is involved. If I don’t give them too much of a warning, chances are, not all my brothers will show up.”
“Smart. Fewer Callahans. Less drama.”
I knew she’d see it my way. “I’m certain my eldest brothers would show up with their wives and their kids. Let’s be real here. That’s enough to scare anyone off.”
“I agree.”
Rhett is excited at the idea of meeting my family.
I, on the other hand, am a little apprehensive.
A mother, father, and seven brothers are a lot to take in.
Add to that the gossip mill trickling down to the extended family.
Stefano was hand-chosen, so there was no pressure.
Now I regret never bringing a guy home. I don’t have any practice.
“We’re still on for drinks and dinner?” Mani says.
“We are.”
“I can’t wait to see you again and meet Rhett.”
“I’m looking forward to it. So is Rhett.”
Mani just about died when I sent her the first photo of Rhett and me. Since then, she’s seen plenty more. As much as I’d love to pepper my social media accounts with photos of my sexy guy, I know better. The last thing I need is for my family to show up in town demanding explanations.
“Since you’ll have dinner with your parents—and a few brothers––the night before, there will be a lot to talk about. I can’t wait to hear how it all goes down.”
“You and me both.”
“It’ll be fine.”
Fingers crossed.
“You won’t believe the amazing work Allison has done on my social media presence,” I say, changing the subject. “I have my own website and it looks ah-mazing.”
“What’s the website?”
“Are you in front of your laptop?”
“Yes, I’m still at the office.”
“
“Typing!” She’s so giddy. “So, on top of having a New York City stylist, you have your own web designer? Look at you stepping up in the world.”
“When Allison heard of the big news, she went into professional mode. Since she takes care of Riley’s image online, she said it was unthinkable for Rhett and me to step onto the photo shoot without a strong brand in place.”
“That’s awesome. You get a website design by a pro.”
“I’m sure there will be a little buzz, but I don’t expect a tidal wave.
This is about Rhett. Not me. I don’t expect to elicit that much interest. On the other hand, my red-hot boyfriend will get the ladies all worked up.
Still, I went with Allison’s advice. I even started my recipe channel on YouTube.
I only have a few videos up right now, but I plan to go all Riley-style in no time. ”
“Oh, Carina. My God. This looks amazing. So professional. I can’t believe this is my best friend.” Mani says in one breath. “You look like a top chef— What am I talking about? You are a top chef. Allison did a phenomenal job.”
“Didn’t she?”
“Who knows? You might get some interesting offers from restaurants in Fort Worth or Dallas, even. The drive isn’t that long.”
“I beg to differ,” I say. “It’s a forty-five-minute drive without traffic.
There is no such thing as no traffic to and from those mega cities, so double the commute time.
Triple it, if God forbid, there was an accident.
Driving back to Summerville after a long day in a hot and frantic kitchen would be brutal.
If my shifts were late, no way would I contemplate getting on the road.
I’d have to move, and that would wreak havoc on my relationship.
I like it in Summerville and I prefer spending the extra commute time I’d be stuck behind the wheel of a car with my guy. ”
“Makes sense.”
“You should see what Allison did for Rhett.”
“Website, please.”
“
I hear her frantically typing.
“This is pro level,” Mani says.
“Right?”
“I know he’s yours, but the man is smoking hot. I mean, ridiculously good-looking.”
“It’s still so weird to consider him mine, I have to pinch myself most times.”
“Take it from me, you’re one lucky girl,” she says.
“There isn’t enough money in the world to convince me to reconsider opening my online dating profiles.
I’d rather burn my hair than submit myself to that kind of humiliation.
So many guys nowadays waste precious time playing stupid games instead of coming right out and telling you they’re either not interested or they’re seeing twelve other women.
Grow a pair, and put me out of my misery by letting me know in advance you’re a walking disaster. ”
I chuckle.
“On the first night, Rhett wanted to make you his girl. It doesn’t get any better than this.”
No, it doesn’t.