a time, Mom. We’ve only been engaged for a month. We haven’t even planned the wedding yet.”
Mom shrugs, her gaze fixed on the cutting board while she speaks to me. “An adorable baby would be the best wedding gift to yourselves, don’t you think?”
Callum booms out a laugh while I roll my eyes. As annoying as Mom’s good-natured prodding for a baby is, it doesn’t come close to bursting my bliss bubble. I recall that perfect night when Callum proposed to me. He took me to dinner at Mama’s Fish House in Paia, then asked if I’d be up for a stroll along Baldwin Beach at sunset. Hand in hand, he walked me all the way down to the end of the beach, away from the crowds, just as the sun was dipping below the ocean horizon. And then he stopped, dropped down to one knee, and pulled out a black velvet box from his pocket. Inside was the dazzling square diamond from my mom’s engagement ring, set in a brand-new white gold band.
I couldn’t speak when I saw him on one knee, his eyes glistening before he could even get out the words I knew he would say. All I could do was cover my mouth with my hands to keep my sobs of joy under control.
“I already asked your mum, and she gave me her blessing,” he said, his voice shaky. “I wanted . . . I wanted to ask you to marry me here because this is where you dad is and I wanted him to be part of it too.”
I nodded yes before he could even get out the words. Because it was the most perfect, most thoughtful moment Callum could ever dream up. And he did it for me. And I knew without a doubt I wanted to spend forever with him.
“I’m just saying, anak.” Mom’s voice pulls me back to the present. “You two would make the cutest babies. You’re so beautiful.” She nods at Callum. “And you’re so handsome. They would be the best-looking little ones. And free babysitting from me and Mrs. Tokushige whenever you want.”
I walk over and hug her from behind. “Promise we’ll give you a grandbaby someday,” I say. “But right now, we have to finish prepping so Callum and I can run back to the condo and film our latest episode for Chic TV today before we open.”
She turns around excitedly to face me. “Oh, that’s right!” She pats my hand. “You two go on home and do that. I’ve got everything under control here.”
We thank her and promise to be back before eleven when we open. When we climb in the car, I check my watch. “It’s just past seven right now, so that means we’ve got a little over three hours to film how to prep and cook chicken adobo wings for this episode.”
The commercial Mom and I filmed for Chic TV was a hit. Viewers loved it so much that Chic offered us a contract to film a dozen cooking videos to feature on their website this year. The only catch is that we have to film them all this month so the network can edit them and release them according to their strict production schedule. It means we’re waking up early every morning this month to prep and film before working our regular shifts at the restaurant. Last episode Mom and I cooked together, but with how busy the restaurant has been, I’m doing today’s shoot on my own. Sometimes when Mom doesn’t feel like being on camera, I’ll make Callum film with me. It’s a hectic schedule to keep, but the exposure is awesome. We get customers from all over raving about our webisodes.
But it’s even better because it’s one more thing Callum and I can do together.
He starts the engine and makes the quick drive back to the condo. “Don’t forget, we’ve got to plan the menu for our next dinner service at Travaasa in a couple of weeks.”
I set a reminder in my phone.
“Ted will have my head if we forget him in the midst of all this other stuff we’ve got going on,” Callum says.
“No way would I ever forget Ted. He gave me my first big break, and I plan to cook for him until he gets sick of me.”
“That won’t be happening anytime soon, petal. The guests at the resort love the dinners we serve. There hasn’t been an empty table on any of the nights we’ve hosted.”