Fire In the Kitchen (20 page)

“
Literally.
” Cassidy needed to know more. “What did he say?”

Dante cleared his throat. “That I’d ruined his life. The first time he’d tried to break away to be a success on his own I stood in his way by entering the competition, too.”

“But you only entered to get back the reputation he’d destroyed.”

“He didn’t see it that way.” Dante stood and started to pace.

Cassidy waited for him to turn and face her. “You know it’s going to take more than five minutes for me to come to terms with this.”

Dante nodded and walked back to her. He sat and reached for her hand. “He also said I always steal his girls.”

“Who? Me? But I never wanted him.” Cassidy was incredulous. “Who else?”

“He was the one who introduced me to Valerie.”

“They dated before you did?”

“Who told you we dated?”

“Who didn’t?”

Dante nodded. “No, they never dated. However, I took away his opportunity.”

“Wow. Your cousin has serious issues.”

Cassidy stood and started to pace with him. “I hope you can work it out. You’ve been through so much.”

He stopped pacing and cupped her cheek. “Not as much as you.”

Cassidy kissed him gently on the lips and then leaned back to meet his gaze. “How could he have lit it when he was in lockdown?”

“It’s not a prison. He could have pretended to be wandering through the gardens and jumped the fence and come back the same way.”

“I suppose so,” Cassidy sighed. “How did they figure out he did it?”

“He confessed. You probably don’t want to hear this because of what he did to you, but he’s not all bad. He’s shown a lot of remorse and my sister and I are making sure he gets the help he needs.”

“The producers will have a field day over this.” Cassidy bit her thumbnail. “It’s going to be a media circus.”

“Not necessarily. They want us back,” Dante said. “Just the two of us, for the grand finale.”

Cassidy shook her head. “No way.”

“Carlos is obviously out of the picture, and Frederick was deboning a chicken and sliced off the top of his pinkie instead. They need us to finish the series. Desperately.”

Cassidy looked at the bandages on her fingers from preparing poultry a few days before and shuddered.

“Not interested.”

“Don’t throw it all away, Cassidy. Not after all you achieved.”

Cassidy saw her mother peer through the window to make sure she was all right. She called out to her. “Won’t be long. Start eating without me.”

“Do you need to go?” Dante’s gaze had followed hers to the window.

“Yes, and I need to stay. It’s not fair to leave it to Mum and Gary to cope with all this. It’s too much. They even had TV cameras out there when we were picking through the debris.”

“Careful,” Dante warned her. “It’s all part of their game plan. Contestant angst makes great ratings.”

“You mean it was the producers, not the news?”

“Unfortunately yes, but they wrap it up in their news. It’s the same television station after all. That’s what they do, and they won’t let up ’til you play their game and come back. They’ve put too much money into this show to be left with no contestants.”

“I wish I could just go back to work, make excellent coffee for the customers, and bake a batch of muffins,” Cassidy said. “All I wanted was a bit of money to improve the café, but all I got was a whole lot of mess.”

“We can clean it up together.”

That did it. Dante’s voice was full of concern and Cassidy chastised herself for wanting him there, just to hold her and tell her everything was going to be all right.

So much for the independent woman.

“I have to go now. I can’t do this.” Her voice cracked. “I’m sorry I’ve let you down,” she whispered.

“It’s not me you’re letting down, it’s yourself.” Dante spoke louder. “Get some sleep. They’ve given you until tomorrow morning before they recast.”

“I’ve made up my mind.” Cassidy shook her head. “My family needs me.”

He kissed her hand and left.

She’d made the right decision to stay behind and help.

Hadn’t she?

“Dante, you have a problem.”

“Only one?”

Valerie and Dante were seated in an office at the television station. The office was all for show, a combination of white walls, a glass-and-chrome table, and black leather furniture. He scrutinized the woman sitting opposite him. She was all for show, too. Her tailored outfit looked expensive and carefully chosen. He wondered how she got around in her ridiculously high heels. She’d hidden her attractive face beneath several layers of makeup. Her best feature was her striking red hair. He remembered running his fingers through it during their bedroom trysts. They’d shared a passion for good food and they’d had great sex, but it hadn’t taken Dante long to realize there wasn’t much for leftovers after that.

He couldn’t help comparing her to Cassidy, who dressed for comfort first. Cassidy had an uncanny knack of mixing bohemian colors and patterns that would normally clash, but on her just seemed to come together. She had a natural beauty that had no need for sophisticated makeup. Minimum effort, maximum results. The little minx, she’d made her excitement for the show infectious. Without her around, the kaleidoscopic, multicolored cooking series had turned beige. Why had he agreed to come back without her?

“Dante, are you listening to me?”

“Yes, Valerie. I can’t wait for you to tell me what my problem is. Are you still trying to get us back together again, like the other night? I told you then and I’m telling you now: I’m not interested. So isn’t whatever you have to say
your
problem?”

“Actually…”

Valerie walked behind him and placed her hand on the back of his neck. Ignoring his previous comments, she started to massage it.

“It’s more of a delicious dilemma. I’ve been asked to speak with you
unofficially.
”

Dante reached back and removed her hand, shaking his head as he did so. She sat on one of the leather chairs so they were facing each other again and crossed her legs, raising the height of her skirt. He turned his face away to show his disinterest.

“They’re having a hard time convincing Cassidy to come back. Poor little thing,” Valerie cooed. “And she lost the café, too. Perhaps she could get a job operating the automatic coffee machine at McDonald’s?”

“They assured me she has until tomorrow morning to come back.” Dante faced her again, choosing to ignore her last comment. “I’m hoping she’ll change her mind.”

“Doubt it. They’ll decide to go with the last contestant who was out before the final four.” Valerie smiled. “I’m here to help make that happen, if need be. He’s young, good looking…the cameras like him. The public will
love
him.”

“You’re jumping the gun. For your sake, I hope you’re not manipulating the producers’ decision to stop her coming back.”

“Why, Dante,” Valerie said, examining one of her perfectly painted red fingernails. “I couldn’t care less about playing silly games with that girl. I’m more concerned about you. About
us.
”

“There
is
no us,” Dante said flatly. “We had a couple of good times a few months ago and that was it. Just tell me what my
problem
is so I can call her one last time to try to convince her she’s needed here.”

“Don’t tell me you really have feelings for her?” Valerie’s laugh grated on his nerves.

“Enough.” Dante stood and moved to the door. “I have to go.”

“Wait,” Valerie called out. “You really do have a big problem, and if you don’t hear me out, you’re going to regret it.”

Dante let his hand rest on the door handle and ground his teeth. “What?” he said, turning around again and walking toward her.

“Cassidy’s out. She won’t come back. They’re bringing that kid back in and you will be in the final cook-off with him instead. They’ve already decided he’ll win because he’s happy to promote the advertisers’ products and you’re not. Or…”

Dante glared at Valerie, struggling to keep his breathing even.

“Or, you could go for the alternative plan that includes your precious Cassidy,” she said. “I’ll make sure she comes back. We do, after all, have legal leverage.”

“I’m listening.” Dante was losing patience.

“You have the final cook-off with Cassidy and let her win.”

“Why would I agree to that?”

“There has to be something in it for the show. We’ve already lost two days’ shooting.” Valerie smiled. “The public loves her in the promos, and she’ll promote whatever the sponsors want. They’re not so happy about what
you’re
trying to promote.”

“You seem to have it all figured out, as usual.” Dante felt the familiar nerve in his neck start to throb as it always did when he got angry. It only took a nanosecond for him to decide he’d bow out gracefully so Cassidy could succeed. Better her than another competitor. She deserved that. He already had a successful following and a business, and from the feedback he’d received about the show that had been aired so far he believed his reputation was now restored. There would be other ways he could promote his cause. It just might take him a bit longer.

He nodded. “You win. Anything else I should know?”

“Oh, Dante, darling, you sound as if you have the whole world on your shoulders. She must really be something in bed. Never thought you’d go for the scrawny type. I just don’t get the attraction.”

Valerie stroked her long hair and pulled Dante by the arm to sit down again.

He shrugged her off and remained standing as if he was going to leave any moment. “Careful, Valerie. If you’ve got anything else to say, hurry up.”

“Wait.” Valerie halted him with her palm. “There’s a payoff.”

Dante shook his head. “I’m not into payoffs. Just do what’s right by Cassidy. Play fair. I’m sick of all this manipulation.”

“After she wins, we get our own show, but only if you don’t say anything about our conversation.”

“Why on earth would I want a show with
you
?”

Valerie smiled. He waited for the cat to lick her well-manicured paw.

“Because they’ve agreed you can decide on the format. There’s a farmer’s collective that is willing to be the main sponsors and you can promote all your little farmer friends to your heart’s content.”

Dante felt the adrenaline surge through his body as he thought of all the people he could help in one fell swoop. Local bread, butter, milk, fruit, vegetables, meat—the best the state could offer. No greedy supermarket chains getting their dibs on the main fruits of the farmers’ labor and paying them a pittance. Or not buying from them at all and buying cheap crap from overseas instead. This opportunity was a dream come true.

Or was it?

* * * *

Amy’s tattooed fingers tapped against the steering wheel as she allowed the car to idle outside the television studio.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” she said.

“Never been surer of anything in my life.” Cassidy grinned as she opened the old car door that creaked in protest. She got out and opened the back door.

“Why the sudden turnaround?”

“I couldn’t let Dante down, not after all he’s done for me.”

“Nice try,” Amy said.

“Okay, Einstein, the café’s gone and I don’t think I’ll ever get it back. I’d rather Mum and Gary use the insurance money to pay off their mortgage. Mum’s okay for now and she’s got Gary. I no longer have a job and I don’t want to work my butt off for a company I don’t give two hoots about.” Cassidy took a deep breath and continued. “Dad’s dream for me is gone, but I’ve had my five minutes of ‘poor me;’ it’s time to get on with it. Life’s too short to settle for cheap chocolate.”

“So your priorities have changed?”

“Radically. Ain’t life grand?” Cassidy slammed the door and spoke through the open passenger window. “I may have also forgotten to mention Dante was quite convincing in my front yard last night.”

Amy tooted the horn as she drove away.

Cassidy decided it was time to create a new status quo as she made her way to the entrance with her old enthusiastic vigor in her step. She stopped by the herb garden and picked a sprig of parsley. She rolled it in her hands. It smelled fresh, piquant,
green.
But
she
was no longer green. She’d come so far in the competition, on her own merits. The judges had told her so, and even some of the chefs had congratulated her on her radical inventions. Who would have thought of combining bacon with marshmallows? She had, with no cookbook to help her, just the knowledge the right combination of salty and sweet can do wonders for one’s palate. She’d relied solely on her taste buds, and they hadn’t let her down yet. She could do this. She popped the parsley in her mouth and chewed it like gum.

“There you are,” Dante called out, and Cassidy turned to face him. He was immaculate in his chef’s whites. Yep, nothing had changed, still the same crooked smile, the same small scar above his left eyebrow, the same confidence oozing out of his pores. But she’d never seen him unshaven before, and the slightly unkempt look suited him more than she cared to admit. Her heart and hormones mixed together, turning into blancmange.

He smiled. “I knew you’d come back.”

“Glad one of us did,” she said.

“Everything all right at home?”

“We’re all fit and healthy and that’s the most important thing. How’s Carlos doing?”

“Court date’s set for the near future. He won’t be causing us any more trouble.”

“Maybe not.” Cassidy cupped her hand against his cheek. “He’s caused you so much pain.”

Dante nodded and changed the subject. He took her hand from his cheek and kissed her palm.

“So,
bella,”
he said, “you ready to fight for your life in a cook-off against me?”

Cassidy swung an imaginary knife in the air. “Yes, sensei.”

Dante laughed, and the sound was deep and rich, from right down in his belly. “Cassidy Summers, I’ve missed you.”

“Well, I might have thought of you once or twice as well.”

Cassidy’s eyes glistened. She pulled him close to her and held him tight. She couldn’t remember a time in her life she’d felt such a connection. He was part of her now.