Page 73 of The Kitchen Contract

“Now wait a second, we haven’t even looked at the paperwork yet.” I’m trying not to get too excited. We’re still a long way from having everything settled, after all.

“You should get Alex in here and look at it right now,” Annie says. “Forward it to Maddy so you can pull it up on her computer.”

“Right now?”

“Yes!” they say in unison.

I throw up my hands. “Okay, I’ll forward it.” Thirty seconds later, the email is sent and I’m leaning over the back porch rail, calling for Alex.

He tromps up onto the deck, with Grant and Chris behind him. Olivia, Rowan, and Seth continue flinging water balloons and shooting each other with water guns as if they don’t even notice the grown-ups are gone.

“What’s up?” Alex asks, grabbing a towel from a deck chair and rubbing it over his sopping head.

“Miles called. He sent over the offer from the network for us to look at. Maddy is pulling it up on her computer now.”

Grant claps his hand on Alex’s shoulder. “Let’s go check it out.”

In a matter of minutes, Alex and I are seated at the kitchen table in front of the laptop with Grant and Maddy looking over our shoulders.

As we read through the message and attached documents, my excitement steadily grows. The terms lay out how the network would be purchasing the From Couch to Potatoes brand, including the YouTube channel, blog, and any other related endeavors, and contracting Alex and me to continue our association with the show as hosts. The compensation for the purchase and for shooting a ten-episode first season is more than I hoped for. The only thing that concerns me—that’s been weighing on my mind from the beginning—is the geography of it. Based on the tentative production schedule they included, I’m not sure if we’d need to relocate to California to be available when we’re needed.

A year ago, I would have jumped at the chance to live in a new place and chase a promising opportunity. But since meeting Alex and growing closer to the rest of the Lockwood family, I feel like I’ve sprouted roots here. I know Alex has, with his job in his family’s business added on top of it, a job I know he enjoys. I’m not sure I can ask him to give all that up.

When we reach the end, Alex turns to me with an excited smile. “What do you think?”

I feel my eyebrows drawing together, even as I try my best to relax my features into a neutral expression. “I’m not sure.”

“What’s holding you back?” he asks, observing me intently. “Your dream is sitting right here in front of you.”

“That’s just it,” I say slowly. “It’s my dream, but I have to have you to accomplish it. That’s the problem.”

“How is that a problem?” He seems genuinely confused.

“Because we might have to move. You’d have to quit your job, sell your house, and leave your family for this thing that I want.”

“Yes,” Alex nods slowly. “That’s true. But if I’m willing to do it, what’s the problem?”

“I’m not sure I should let you.” I run a hand through my hair. “What if we get there and the whole thing implodes? Or what if it goes well, but you realize you’re not happy and you start to resent me for asking you to do this? What if you meet a gorgeous starlet and realize you could do better than me?”

“Sleepy kitty,” he says with a smirk. “Sleepy, sleepy, sleepy kitty.”

“What the heck is with the sleepy kitty?” Grant asks, and I realize I was so focused on Alex and the issue at hand that I’d forgotten we have an audience. My cheeks heat.

“It’s something he says to stop me when I’m overthinking,” I explain. “But I don’t think I am. Do any of the rest of you think this could be a problem?” Since they’re all listening anyway, I’d just as well get their input.

“I can see where you’re coming from,” Annie says thoughtfully. “It is a big sacrifice.”

“Yeah, but like he said, if he’s willing to do it, what’s the issue?” Grant says. “Seems like it should be up to him to decide.”

“I really don’t think he’ll run off with a starlet,” Maddy says, for some reason zeroing in on the least important concern I voiced.

“Guys,” Alex holds up his hands. “I think this should be between me and Nora.”

“Well, she asked,” Grant grumbles.

Alex ignores him and focuses on me, taking my hands in his. “Rose, I know this is your dream, and I know exactly what I might have to give up to make it happen. And maybe this will sound crazy because we’ve only been together for a few months, but…I love you.”

All the air seems to whoosh out of the room at those words. My eyes fill with tears, even as my mouth stretches into a huge grin. “You love me?”

---