“Yes, of course we are. Staci’s been alone, independent for so long. We have to stick together. She’s a tough nut,” Staci said.
“She sure is. What’d you have in mind?” Remy asked. He liked Staci’s friend and he could see why the two women would work well together. They were nothing alike, total opposites in looks and temperament but there was a good solid core in both women. A determination to get things done.
“It’ll take a big gesture on your part. Staci’s not going to believe it unless you do,” Alysse said. “Plus, you did break her heart.”
“I know that. I don’t know about big gestures,” he said. It wasn’t his style. Still, for Staci he’d do anything it took.
He thought if he could get close enough to get her into his bed he could show her how strong his feelings were for her. They had a bond between them that even this kind of mess couldn’t weaken.
“It doesn’t have to be writing her name in the sky or telling her how you feel on a Jumbotron. A big gesture just has to come from the heart and it has to be at the right time.”
Intimate thoughts of Staci led him to recognize that he was going to have to tell her how he felt first. Suddenly, it seemed so easy.
He’d never told Staci that he loved her. He’d done everything but that because he’d been afraid to risk getting hurt.But by being afraid and keeping her in the dark, he’d isolated her. He’d made her feel like he didn’t care for her at all. He knew what gesture she needed and he had the perfect solution for when to make it.
“I’ve got an idea. And it will only work if we both cook our hearts out this week and make it to the finals.”
“I hope you do,” Alysse said.
“Staci’s waiting for you inside,” Alain said as he joined them on the patio.
“Thanks.” Alysse stood. “Good luck, Remy. With everything.”
For the first time since New York he felt a surge of hope. He now knew how to win Staci back and he would use every skill he had to ensure it happened. He’d show her in a big way.
“You look very serious, son,” Alain said.
“I am, Dad. For once I think I understand why you want to retire and spend more time with Mom,” Remy said.
Alain laughed. “Glad to hear it. Tell me about the cooking you’ve been doing. Do you have new ideas for the restaurant?”
Remy did tell his father about the new ideas he had but his mind wasn’t on Gastrophile. It was on Staci and the future that he craved. He knew now that there was nothing he wouldn’t do. Nothing that could stand in the way of him winning her back.
Dinner that night was uneventful. Remy watched Staci all night long. He couldn’t help himself. He desperately needed her back in his arms.
“Why are you watching me like that?” she asked, when Christian and the others were preoccupied.
“Because I want you and I’m hoping to talk you into meeting me on the balcony like you did the first night we were in the house,” he said.
She wet her lips with her tongue and he wanted to groan ashe could think of nothing but how she tasted and just how long it had been since he kissed her.
“Sex won’t make everything better,” she said.
“It can’t make anything worse.” He frowned. “Sorry, I’ve missed holding you in my arms.”
“I’ve missed that, too,” she said, “But this is the last week of competition and I don’t want to mess anything up. Maybe we can talk about this next week.”
He smiled, knowing that by this time next week he’d have won her back if all went according to plan.
THE NEXT SEVEN DAYSWEREthe most intense of Staci’s life. Even though nothing had changed between her and Remy, Staci felt more positive toward the chances of them having a relationship when the competition was over. She sensed that he wanted to start again and she knew that she did. But that was going to have to wait until they were done cooking.
On Wednesday both Christian and Remy were in the lead but on Thursday it was a dessert cook-off and she overtook them both and claimed the lead. Remy edged out Christian to claim the second spot in the final.
Friday morning dawned bright and sunny in California and as she and Remy entered thePremier Chefstudios and went up in the elevator they both looked at each other remembering their first day here.
Remy hit the stop button on the elevator.
“What are you doing?”
