Page 91 of The Chef

“I’ve seen it with my own eyes,” my brother says. “All of us here have. We’ve seen how you’ve changed in a few days, Bay. How you’ve grown so much in such a short amount of time. How happy you are.”

“I was happy, but now he’s gone from me.”

“In the last few days, you’ve been the happiest I’ve ever seen you, the happiest the kids have seen you.”

“And now it’s gone. He’s gone.”

“Listen to me, Bay. What you have with Cliff reminds me of what I had with my wife.” Fisher nods at Pearl and Davy. “What I had with their mother. That’s what you and Cliff’s relationship reminds me of.”

“What you two had was something magical, Fisher, no one could have that,” I reply.

It’s impossible that he’s comparing Cliff and me to him and Pearl’s mom.

But I know it’s true. It is the same kind of love. True love.

“You do. With Cliff. Believe me.”

“No way.”

“We had true love, and that’s what I see with you and Cliff. It’s rare, Bay. So rare. When you find it, you’ve got to hang onto it, trust me. You’ve got to fight for it.”

“Fight for it?”

“Yeah, fight for love, Bay. Especially when it’s something like what you and Cliff have.”

Davy nods, following his father. “Yeah,” he says. “Fight for it.”

Pearl buries her face into my arm. She yells out with a lungful of air. “Fight for it!”

I want to deny it, but something deep within my body tells me that Fisher’s right. I have found true love. Even though it’s only been a few days, what I have with Cliff is similar to what my brother had with his wife. I know it to be true.

It’s all I’ve ever really wanted, love like Fisher’s.

And now I see he is right.

I’ve got to fight for it.

Fight for the love I’ve found.

Fuck it.

“I will,” I say, and the room erupts in cheers.

32

CLIFF

“So,” Cleo says, tracing her finger around my shirt’s collar. “What do you think of my offer?”

I take in a deep breath.

“Well,” I reply, leaning against my desk. She’s right up against me. It’s like Cleo’s got me pinned down in here in the manager’s office, trying to make it seem like I can’t escape from her grasp. “It sounds alright, but I’ll need to think on it.”

“Of course.”

“But Rockpool does need an investment,” I reply.

“Yes, it does. You’re lucky I’m here, it’ll have already collapsed if I didn’t fly in.”