“It’s Melanie,” I say, still not answering the call.
“I’ll see you at the forum, Evan,” she says as she turns and walks away from me.
It’s a sight I’ve grown used to, a feeling that’s familiar.
I finally answer my phone.
“There you are!” Melanie gasps. “We’ve had a change in plans. Dinner with a fan is now late afternoon lunch before the forum tonight. How quick can you get back to the hotel?”
“Did you book it at Leo’s new place?” I ask.
“Just as you requested. He technically isn’t open in the afternoon, but he’s doing you a favor,” Melanie replies.
I smile at that. A favor.Like I didn’t invest a quarter million dollars in his restaurant.I met Leo years ago. It was a coincidence that I was here in Chicago at one of my first book signings, and I just wanted real food that wasn’t cooked in some strange new sauce. Leo was working at a food truck.
“This is amazing, man,” I told him as I ate some kind of smoked skewer made of steak, chicken, and shrimp.
“Thanks. One day I want to own a restaurant where everyone wants to be. Be the talk of the town for something good,” he said with a grin, revealing his dream like it was the easiest thing to do—to talk about what you wanted and not just what you needed.
And well, sometimes people just need a little help to make their dreams come true. I’ve been one of the lucky ones, and I like to share that luck with others when I can.
My phone buzzes.
Lily
Got the manuscript and OH. EM. GEE! I’ve already read a few chapters and it’s SO GOOD!
Evan
Email it to me, please.
Lily
I told Rachel I was going to send it off to some of my literary contacts.
Since you kind of are my literary contact.
Evan
Thanks, Lily.
Lily
You could just apologize.
I sigh because I know Lily is right.
I should have said something just now. I should have just blurted out an apology. I should have just let her know that I didn’t meanto make her feel small, that I might be good with words on paper but I’m not good with saying them out loud. That I don’t want to be a reason she thinks less of herself, because I’m beginning to realize since meeting Rachel…what’s worse than her hatred is her silence.
Her hatred I can live with because it comes with her words.
Her silence makes me wonder about all the things she wants to say.
Chapter 25
Rachel
LeoCavaretti’svoiceislike a hum in the background. He’s an up-and-coming chef in Chicago, who is finding his own unique space in the culinary world. We’re at his newest restaurant that just opened last month called Embers & Echo. It’s a live-fire Italian restaurant, where every dish is kissed by flame, smoked, or charred. Even the pasta is grilled for a subtle charred flavor. He’s made me a small plate of a few of his favorites, and while the flavor is amazing, I can’t give complete attention to it. It is like chewing on something that doesn’t matter, even though it should matter a lot.
