Page 12 of Desirous

“I love you too, Katerina. Is everything all right? You sounded strange just then when you said you loved me.”

From out of nowhere, tears begin to prick at the back of my eyes. “No, I’m fine,” I lie. “Probably just pollen or something. Have a good flight.”

“Thank you, honey. See you Wednesday! I know your father can’t wait to see you again.”

“Okay, Mom. See you then.”

I set my phone down on the counter and let out a heavy sigh. I’m depressed from being thrown off the reality show and betrayed by a man I was actually starting to really care about. I have to go back to work and deal with Deidre, the boss from hell, who is likely going to relish making my life a nightmare after finding out I got expelled from the show.

And now my parents are coming for a visit, and no doubt, my mother is going to find out CK isn’t closed. I’m going to have to sit through an entire dinner as my father raves about the food and talks about how wonderful it was when we met the head chef last time.

The same head chef who broke my heart and now thinks he can make things all better with a few texts.

Could my life get any worse?

CHAPTER SIX

Alex

“Welcometo the first day of taping,” Shane announces from the center of the room. “Last week was to give you some time to get used to the set, but this week is the real deal.”

Except for the pretend relationship thing.

Maria flashes us a big, toothy grin and says, “Now here’s the most important thing we need you to know. Act naturally and be yourself, but remember that reality shows aren’t about reality so much as what we want reality to be. So have a good time and don’t forget your storylines.”

The fact that she believes what she said makes this all the more painful. Reality seems to be whatever they decide it needs to be for ratings. That’s why we do so little cooking and so much romantic nonsense seems to be important.

“For this first day of the show, we’re going to have you repeat last week’s exercise with the person you’re sharing your storyline with. Let’s have a good time, and please, no poisoning this week,” Shane says with a hearty laugh.

Everyone around me has a good time with that little slice of dark humor. Nice of him to joke about someone having to get their stomach pumped.

Already sick of all of this gung-ho attitude about nothing good, I clear my throat and ask, “How is Murphy, by the way? Is he out of the hospital?”

I suddenly feel all eyes on me, each person staring at me with surprise, as if they hadn’t given another thought about the poor guy since the paramedics wheeled him out on that stretcher last week. Nice. No wonder not a single one of them seem bothered in the least by Maria’s reality isn’t reality except when we want it to be reality bullshit.

A million dollars sure can make people be shitty.

For a split second, I swear I see Maria’s smile crack, but then it returns in full force as Shane says, “Oh, he’s great! He’s at home, and unfortunately, won’t be able to return for this season of Chef on Chef, but he told me he wants to make sure everyone knows he wishes you good luck and he’ll be watching with bated breath to find out who the winner is.”

I nod, truly happy poor Murphy isn’t permanently damaged from being poisoned by one of these people all clapping for his wonderful recovery at this moment. I intend on finding out who did it too since I know for sure neither Kat nor I was the one who put the poison in that dish.

How I’ll unmask the criminal I have no idea. I’m no detective and have little interest in getting to know any of my fellow contestants any better than I do now, but I can keep my ears open and listen for any clue to the perpetrator.

It’s the least I can do for Kat.

Contestants begin to pair off, and for a second, I wonder if I should go over to Emma’s station just to be polite. Before I can decide anything, she rushes over full of enthusiasm and positions herself right next to me.

“Hey! This is so exciting, isn’t it? You look great in your black chef’s uniform. It’s just like we’re at work, except this is more fun.”

“I prefer the white one I usually wear,” I mumble.

“This time, you get to be the one taking orders,” she says with far too much perkiness for me.

“Great.”

“I promise I’ll be easier to work with than Kat. I’m sure that was a challenge for you.”

Her dig at the one contestant who had always been nice to her surprises me, and as she busies herself getting the area prepared for today’s work, I wonder what the hell she has against Kat. I didn’t hear everything they said to one another, but what I did catch seemed friendly and pleasant.

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