“What’s wrong?” Matty asks, his eyes searching my face.
“To my surprise, I’m sorry it’s time to go, I guess. This winter didn’t turn out the way I’d expected, but honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way either. It’s been wonderful.”
“I’m pretty sure they want you at The Black Swan next,” he reminds me. “They haven’t made me an offer yet, though.”
“Not yet,” I reassure him.
He gives me a hopeful look. “Did they say something to you?”
“No, but they’d be fools not to consider you for The Black Swan. You had to put up with me for, what, three weeks? You’re a frickin’ hero, Matty.”
Ruby ,the Red Cardinal, one of Haus’s seductive hostesses, walks into the kitchen. Her lips are a luscious red as they stretch into a small but genuinely gentle smile. “Your presence has been requested in the main salon, you guys.”
“Oh,” I pause, my heart skipping a beat. “Why?”
She shrugs. “I have no idea. But the bosses were adamant that I bring you both in.”
“Might as well see what that’s about,” Matty stops cleaning and wipes his hands clean with a dry towel. “If anyone bitches about the blueberry pie, however, I’m blaming you, Raina.”
“Let them try. I’ll die on that blueberry hill,” I reply.
Ruby chuckles quietly. Matty walks out first, but Ruby pulls me aside for a moment, a worried look darkening her pretty oval face. “Listen, before we go in there, I just wanted to say thanks, Raina.”
“For what?”
“For not making a case about those Blu-Ray disks the bosses grilled us about. We all swore we had nothing to do with Deanna’s so-called gift, so thank you.”
“Ruby, it’s okay.”
“No, it’s not okay. What she did was not okay,” she insists. “I just wanted to reiterate that it was all her. I hope there won’t be any bad feelings between us.”
“Heavens, no, you’ve all been nice and accommodating,” I reply. “We’re cool, I promise.”
Inwardly, I’m pleased to hear that Deanna failed to build her alliance against me. She might’ve had Delia and Asher on her side up to a point, but after that Valentine’s Day stunt with the workout and weight loss package, I know for a fact Alex, Max, and Vincent tore the hosts a new one over it. The others realized they couldn’t hurt me without losing their future contracts with Haus of Sin.
Upon reaching the dinner salon, however, Matty and I are greeted with a standing ovation and a raucous round of applause—from the guys, from the hosts and hostesses, and most importantly, from our ten, highly esteemed guests.
“What’s going on?” I manage.
Overwhelmed by the reaction, I can’t move, but tears spring to my eyes as I take in the applause and the wave of praise. Matty is just as surprised, staying close to my side with a huge smile dancing across his face.
“Holy cow,” he says.
“Congratulations to our exceptional chefs!” Alex calls, his voice booming throughout the salon. “Well done, Matty, and Raina Redford, you really outdid yourselves with tonight’s dinner. Our guests insisted we have you join us so we could all congratulate and celebrate you as you deserve.”
“Oh, wow,” I say with a quiet laugh, tears of joy pricking my eyes. “We weren’t expecting that. I certainly wasn’t expecting it. Thank you.”
“No, thankyou,” Alex replies.
He steps closer, joined by Max and Vincent. They look so dashing in their black leather dinner jackets and crisp white shirts. I can’t wait to get them out of these clothes later tonight, but until then, I’m fine with just getting drunk on their admiration, their smiles, and their exquisite choice of cologne.
“You were extraordinary,” Alex says, “given how little time you had to prepare for our incoming guests. You had big shoes to fill, too, and I’m proud and pleased to say that you did that and so much more.”
Max takes me in his arms and hugs me tightly. “You were incredible, Raina.”
“You’re too kind,” I reply.
Mr. Bancroft shakes his head as the applause simmers down. “Not at all. It’s well deserved, Miss Redford. You’ve taken us on an epic journey of taste through every single meal. Every dish has been a joy to discover.”
