The Billionaire’s Bun In Her Oven - Ellie Rowe Page 0,50

used to help poor little nonnas teach the world about their dumplings, but —”

“In what world does a person work their entire lives to learn and grow in their profession, only to have it…what…disregarded because they no longer get paid to do that particular skill? I mean the man still cooks.” I laugh, “You don’t think he orders McDonalds every day do you?”

Oh, she does not like that. Well I’m on a roll now.

“As a matter of fact, I’m not sure how you could have missed this, but Stephen has cooked several meals, free of charge, for the crew working on this very show.” I look at the cameras now, “Kraft services got stuck on Broadway to no one’s surprise.” The camera guy chuckles, which spurs my confidence.

“The crew was starving, so Stephen stepped up and anonymously got to cooking in the back. Did you know that, Nadia? And he refused to have the cameras on him because he said this show was supposed to be about…” I stop for a second, remembering that interaction. “About me.”

I blush furiously, and take a gulp of wine to cover.

“Well, I hardly call flipping a couple burgers for a starved crew —”

“Stephen Longvale is an exceptional chef, then and now. I don’t think he deserves whatever poison you’re trying to spit.” I finish my wine and stare politely at her. Nadia’s nostrils flare in fury and she turns to the camera guy, making an aggressive ‘cut’ gesture by drawing her finger across her throat.

The second the director calls “cut,” I bolt out of there. I do not need an ‘off-camera but secretly filmed catfight’ on my resume. I rush to my office to grab my coat when someone grabs my arm.

I whip around, ready to fight, only to find out it’s Stephen. He’s breathless and his bright eyes are shining, swimming in emotion. He smiles at me, and my heart melts for a second, but I gather my bearings and brush him off, heading for my coat.

“Hey,” he says softly, following me into the office.

“Yeah?” I ask, keeping my responses short. I can’t stand to be near him, I know if I get too close, I’ll break. I’ll melt right into him all over again. He’s intoxicating.

“I just… I heard what you said.”

I stop gathering my things. Oh shit. Nadia said she needed me while Stephen was out. Just us girls. I didn’t think he’d be around to hear it.

“Oh,” I grab my coat and finally turn to face him.

“’Oh’?” he repeats. “That’s it?”

I shrug.

“Hey, you… I mean you said some pretty nice shit out there. I didn’t know you knew some of that stuff about me.”

“Yeah, well,” I shrug again. “I did my research.” I believe ‘fangirl’ is the real term to use in this situation. I know all about his career even if I didn’t know he was a history buff, or that he was good with parents and dogs, and mirrors…

“Did you mean it?” he asks, his frame filling the doorway. I bite my lip and look away. Did I? Or was I just saying whatever was needed to fuck with Nadia? In some ways, I’m already regretting it.

Sure, I stuck to the facts, I don’t think I said anything incriminating, but you never know with this lot. God, I hope it doesn’t come back to bite me in the ass. But I couldn’t help it. I had to say something, and not just because of Nadia. Because of him.

“Cynthia…” I hear his footsteps coming toward me. No. I can’t lose myself in him again.

“I’ve got to go,” I say suddenly, squirming around the side of my desk to get past him. “I have to… meet Paulie.” It’s not a lie. We’ve been overdue for drinks together and he was desperate to hear all the ins and outs of the show.

“Cynthia,” he calls my name, but I’ve already turned away. My face feels hot. I meant every single fucking word I said. He’s an excellent chef, and he really did make it his life’s mission to learn from the best and to keep learning.

He’s studious, intelligent, sexy and kind. Well, kind to most. He worked really hard to bring light to different communities. Some of those little nonnas were saved from poverty thanks to his help.

I stop in the alleyway and lean against the brick wall, the realization creeping into my gut. He’s not just a wonderful chef. He’s a wonderful man. And I think I’m in love with him.

Thirty-Eight

Stephen

Am