I could imagine that conversation. The three of them brainstorming and working together, as they always did.
“Wewere throwing around ideas. And finally Kai said, ‘Well, if you really want people to watch—women especially—you have to take off your shirt’.”
Asher gave a hollow smile. “We were joking. But it started to feel less like a joke. So I made a video that way. Then another one. All of a sudden, my subscriber count was five figures. I was getting a lot of views. And I started making real money from it. You know how expensive Langley is,” he finished quietly.
“Yes, I do.” My eyes met his. “So you’re doing that to pay for your tuition?”
He looked away, his expression torn, and I had the sense that he was considering how much he wanted to reveal. “Yes and no. I started getting more and more views, and then sponsors started approaching me. A company that makes flour. Another one that makes cookware. I talked to them and finally chose one as my sponsor. That’s what pays for my college. I have to make a certain number of videos to post online. That’s why I did one tonight. Otherwise, I’d never do it here at The Fraser.”
“Why not?”
“Because that’s not who I am here.” His voice was firm. “Here, I’m respected. I’m the head chef. I’m in charge. I’m known for what I do, not what I look like.”
I could hear the frustration in his voice. The conflict. “You want to be taken seriously as a chef,” I said.
“I’d liketo abandon the whole thing entirely. But I’ve still got one more semester to pay for. And I’ve got a contract with my sponsor.”
We sat in silence for a moment.
Then he said, “I know I was a jerk to you when we first got here. Now you’ve been handed a perfect way to get your revenge. You could report me to the resort. Or to the school.”
That shocked me into silence. Did he really think I’d do that? Then again, maybe I hadn’t given him any reason not to think that. We were basically enemies-with-benefits. “I wouldn’t do that.”
My voice was quiet and barely there, but he nodded once. “You might have. Your first week or two here.”
“I wanted to punch you,” I admitted. “Not blackmail you.”
He smiled a little at that. Then his expression got serious again. “I guess, if someone had to find me out, it’s good it’s you, since you never thought much of me in the first place.”
That wasn’t fair. It’s not like I got here and decided he was a loser. He was stiff and rude and mean to me since day one. Since the drive up here, actually.
But I could be mature enough to separate that from this current situation. So I was honest. “I am a little… daunted, I guess. By all the women who fawn all over you and say all those explicit things.” I looked down at my hands. “I guess for someone inexperienced like me—it’s a bitoverwhelming that some women can be so obvious and open about their desire.” I couldn’t look him in the eye. “They want you, and they’re not afraid to admit it.”
“They want the online persona,” he said softly. “The one who flirts and teases and shows off—while still managing to make damn good food. I think there are maybe five people who actually watch my videos for the recipes.”
“The ratio can’t be that low, with all the followers you have. I—” I stopped mid-sentence. “Oh my god.”
“What?”
“My employee, Mia. She kept asking questions about you.” I looked up at him. “I think she recognized you.”
“Mia? She’s a Langley student?”
“Yes. But Mia would never tell anyone.”
He still looked concerned.
“I’ll talk to her, and stress how important it is not to tell. She’ll understand. She’s a good employee—a good friend, actually.”
He relaxed a little. After a while, he went back to pack up his equipment. I followed and watched, oddly fascinated by the process. He had really good lights, a quality tripod for his phone, even a small reflector. It was all very professional.
“I guess in a way, it’s impressive,” I said as we walked back through the dark, empty halls. “That you found a wayto pay for your schooling.”
“I guess in a way, it’s good you think so,” he said, mimicking my awkward phrasing. But then he sighed. “It didn’t start that way. I really did want to help people. Make cooking accessible. But I guess it’s like the saying goes: sex sells.”
I thought that over as we walked out of the dark dining room. “I guess it does. I… I was naïve. I thought that hard work was what helped people get ahead. But look at me. I’ve worked my ass off here, and it’s all going to be for nothing if Mrs. Greer won’t give me a good write-up.”
Asher didn’t say anything, and suddenly, I didn’t want him to. Everything else was crazy right now, so I didn’t think I could handle it if our dynamic changed—for better or for worse.
