Page 90 of Pitcher Perfect

I hesitated, though the green light to spend the night with Caleb sent a thrill through me. “Shouldn’t we be celebrating together?”

Ethan’s expression softened. “We’ll celebrate tomorrow instead of our weekly meeting. Okay?”

I nodded.

“Go get yo’ man, and don’t fuck this up,” Ty said.

Charming.

“Relationships are bullshit, but Caleb’s a good guy.” That was about as good an endorsement as I would get from Dom.

Ethan sighed dreamily. “If I ever find someone who looks at me like he looks at you, I’m set. Don’t let that go.”

His warm smile and encouraging nod gave me the strength I needed to close the door. My cheeks burned at their catcalls as I walked back toward the Expo Center and to the parking lot where we’d left Caleb’s truck earlier.

I wasn’t going to hold out for some perfect moment to tell Caleb how I felt.Why wait to start the rest of my life when I could do it now? Today. I’m going to do it today.

As I neared his truck, I heard familiar voices.Caleb and Dad?

“Thanks,” Caleb said dimly.

“I’m serious. You have incredible talent. I’ve read about you online. You’ve got a lot of skill.”

Ouch.I’d always craved that validation from my dad. Not once could I remember him telling me he was proud of me or that I’d done a good job at something. It was like he had a limited amount of praise to give, and it was entirely dedicated to his kitchen staff.If I’d gone into a culinary career, would I have gotten it?

“I see a lot of myself in you—the hunger to be the best, the talent. Now that I’ve got the show, I need to step back from my restaurants. I’d love you working in one of my kitchens. I could introduce you to everyone you need to know to get your career set, open your own restaurant down the road, chef for the stars, whatever you want to do.”

I dropped my hand on a nearby sedan, needing something to hold me up. I was grateful no alarm went off. My dad could offer Caleb everything he wanted. Instead of opening a small place in Dahlia Springs, Caleb could take his talent to a larger audience.Who am I to stand in the way of that?The world deserved to enjoy Caleb’s skills, and he deserved to have an incredible career full of accolades.

I forced myself to take measured, steady breaths. If Caleb worked at Dad’s restaurant in Portland, that wouldn’t be a big deal. I could adjust my schedule to have more time off so I could visit him as often as possible. Get a part-time brewer sooner rather than later. We would work it out. I would find a way to work it out, even if he was swayed by the enemy.

“The food truck is great, but you’re destined for so much more. What do you say about taking a position in my LA restaurant? The team would be honored to have you.”

LA?My stomach heaved. I’d finally worked up the bravery to tell Caleb how I felt, and it was about to be snatched away. I wouldn’t stand in Caleb’s way. If he wanted that, I would support him, no questions. I knew that whatever happened or didn’t happen romantically between us, we would be friends. I could take my dreams of building a life with Caleb, falling asleep together, supporting each other through the struggles of our businesses, traveling to taste beers, and put them in a box.

I might be able to visit him occasionally in LA.

If he wanted to take the opportunity to help his career skyrocket, I would absolutely be there with pom-poms to cheer him on. Working for my dad could help him make contacts that might lead to a restaurant in a major city. If that was what Caleb wanted, I would never stand in his way. If anyone understood putting a career first, it was me. Maybe Caleb would come back to visit occasionally. With his mom’s connection to Dahlia Springs, I knew he would never fully leave the place.

I pressed my fingernails against the hood of the car as I waited for Caleb’s reply. I was probably an asshole for eavesdropping, but I didn’t want to ruin Caleb’s big moment. I wanted him, all of him. I wanted to give him all of me. I’d fallen so hard for that man and his business with a terrible pun name and his patience in teaching me how to cook and his kindness.

“Thank you for your offer,” Caleb said in an even tone.

“You’re quite welcome, Caleb.” My dad’s voice was smug, no, arrogant. He knew he held all the wealth in the kingdom, and it was his whim to pass pieces out to the peasants. He could pick and choose whose life he changed.

“But I’ll have to decline.”

“Youhaveto decline?”

“You’re right. I don’t have to, I want to. I already own my own business and am not interested in working for anyone else. I’m going to open my own restaurant,” Caleb said.

“Where will you do that?”

“Dahlia Springs.”

Dad scoffed.

“I would rather work in my cramped food truck in Dahlia Springs for the rest of my life than work for you.” Caleb’s tone was intense. I wanted to watch his expression, but I didn’t dare move.

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