Page 66 of Recipe for Temptation

“Honey, I’m home!” Raina Mayne announced in a singsong voice that brought a grin to Reese’s face on the other end of the phone.

“Hey, you,” she greeted her sister, sinking into her favorite armchair in the living room. “How was Italy?”

“Absolutely wonderful,” Raina said dreamily.

Reese’s grin widened. “I want to hear all about it.”

“Well, the conference was productive, of course. I came away with a wealth of information about the latest advances in spa therapy, which I can’t wait to incorporate at Touch of Heaven.”

“That’s good.” Reese knew how much her sister’s luxury day spa meant to her.

“As great as the conference was,” Raina continued, “the other things we did are what made the trip so special. We went on moonlit gondola rides, explored beautiful vineyards. Oh, and the food, Reesey. The pasta, those gelatos. You would’ve been in foodie heaven.”

Reese smiled, fighting a small pang of envy. “It all sounds very romantic.”

“It was. It felt like a second honeymoon.” Raina sighed. “You should have been there.”

“Oh, I don’t think so. I would’ve been a third wheel. Maybe next time.”

“Not as long as you and Victor are together,” Raina muttered under her breath.

Reese’s smile faded. “What’d you say?”

“Nothing,” Raina said brightly—too brightly. “Anyway, enough about my trip. How’s Hotlanta? Are you having fun?”

“You could say that.” Now that Reese finally had her sister on the phone, she didn’t even know where to begin. She had so much to tell her. And yet, a part of her wanted to keep the most intimate details of her liaison with Michael to herself, like a cherished secret.

She decided to start somewhere safe. “First and foremost, I have some exciting news to share. Remember the contest I entered six months ago to become Michael Wolf’s apprentice?”

Raina snorted out a laugh. “Of course I remember. You were—” She broke off abruptly. “Wait a minute. Are you about to tell me that?—”

“You’re speaking to Michael Wolf’s new apprentice.”

“Oh my God!” Raina let out an ear-splitting squeal that must have brought her husband running. Raina excitedly repeated the news to him.

“Hey, that’s great,” Warrick Mayne’s deep, masculine timbre could be heard in the background. “Tell her I said congratulations.”

“Warrick says congratulations,” Raina quickly relayed.

Reese smiled. “Tell him I said thanks.”

“He just left the room. This is unbelievable, Reesey,” Raina continued in a breathless rush. “I knew that recipe you submitted would knock the judges’ socks off. Remember how much we all loved it when you made it for us?”

“Yes. Thanks for being my guinea pigs.”

“Hell, we should thank you. Do Mom and Dad know?”

“Of course. They were very excited. I made them promise to let me tell you.”

“Man, why did I have to be the last one to find out?” Being the baby of the family, Raina had a complex about being last in anything. “When’d you get the call?”

“Tuesday, technically. But I didn’t listen to the actual message until Wednesday.”

“Today?”

“No, last Wednesday.”

“Last Wednesday!” Raina cried in disbelief. “You should’ve called me!”

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