Page 102 of Recipe for Temptation

“I won’t.” Reese gave her sister a wobbly smile. “But thank you.”

Raina frowned, shaking her head. “I hate seeing you like this, Reesey. I mean, you’ve been the picture of absolute bliss ever since you and Michael started dating. Watching you guys fall in love in front of millions of viewers has been one of the most romantic things I’ve ever seen.” Her voice gentled. “I don’t know what happened between you two, but I hope you can work things out. Because if there’s one thing your viewers can agree on, it’s that you and Michael Wolf belong together.”

“Amen. Couldn’t have said it better myself.” Their mother tenderly stroked the backs of her knuckles down Reese’s cheek. “Your sister and I have been blessed with our happily ever afters. Now it’s your turn.”

“Don’t hold your breath,” Reese mumbled dispiritedly.

Raina draped an arm around her shoulders, hugging her close. “Why don’t you come to the spa tomorrow and get a nice massage? It might make you feel better.”

Not likely, she thought. Nothing would make her feel better. Nothing short of a lobotomy to make her forget the past two months she’d spent foolishly falling in love with a celebrity. A sex symbol. An unattainable fantasy.

Her father appeared in the doorway. He took in the sad tableau, frowning at Reese’s forlorn demeanor.

“Do I need to break out my hunting rifle?” he growled.

“Good idea, Daddy,” Raina said.

“No, it’s not.” Reese sighed heavily. “You’re an esteemed physician and a pillar of the community, Dad. You can’t go around shooting celebrity chefs just because they broke your daughter’s heart.”

Raina smiled narrowly at their father. “But if you happen to have a pair of brass knuckles lying around, keep ’em handy.”

Reese didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. So she did a little of both.

Chapter Thirty-Four

With only ten minutes left in her final appearance on Howlin’ Good, Reese congratulated herself for maintaining her composure.

She’d been on the verge of tears ever since she’d arrived at the studio that evening for the live taping. It hadn’t helped when she’d walked onto the set and saw her parents, Raina and Warrick seated in the first row for the second time. Once she realized that Michael had arranged the big surprise for her, she’d wanted to launch herself into his arms and shower his face with grateful kisses.

She’d settled for a simple, “Thank you.”

His gaze had softened on her face. “I’d do anything for you.”

If only that were true, she’d thought sadly.

Finished with her cooking demonstration, Reese spooned some of her curry chicken soufflé into a bowl and passed it to Michael. “Enjoy.”

He arched a brow. “You mean you’re not going to feed it to me?”

She rolled her eyes heavenward. “Typical helpless male.”

As the audience laughed, she and Michael exchanged brief, tense smiles.

“Can I at least have a spoon?” he asked.

She heaved an exasperated breath that wasn’t entirely for the crowd’s benefit. After dropping a spoon into his bowl, she smiled sweetly. “Anything else?”

“Actually,” he said thoughtfully, “I think I’d rather use a fork instead.”

Reese scowled at the audience. “If I didn’t know better, I would think he was stalling to get out of trying my soufflé.”

More laughter ensued.

Muttering under her breath, Reese began searching the cluttered countertop for a clean fork.

“Try the pot on the back burner,” Michael suggested.

Shooting him a dubious look, Reese lifted the lid of the pot he’d indicated. When she saw what was inside, she gasped and dropped the lid with a noisy clatter.

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