Page 76 of The Re-Proposal

“Who’s Chef Baley?” I ask.

“He started as a food chef and kept experimenting with pastries on the side. Now he makes the best meat-fusion desserts in the world.”

I see literal stars popping up where Erica’s eyeballs should be.

“He also runs a very successful chain of bakeries along with a thriving social media presence and he’s been signed to a network for his own in-audience cooking show.” Cody rattles off the chef’s accomplishments in a bored tone. “I’ll see if I can set up a one-on-one for you to learn from him.”

“Me?”

Cody squints at his phone. “As you can imagine, his schedule’s booked but—”

Suddenly, Erica pounces on him and gives him a tight squeeze. Cody’s eyes widen in surprise and he looks down at her as if he doesn’t know what to do.

I smile softly in the background. When his gaze meets mine, I can’t find the strength to wipe the smirk away.

“Thank you,” Erica sobs.

“No need to thank me.” Cody awkwardly pries Erica off him. “Just don’t take off again. According to the schedule, you’ve got a meeting at the foundation this afternoon.”

“I’ll be there. I promise.” Erica grins so wide that we get a perfect view of her teeth.

Cody straightens his tie and motions to me. “Ris, do you have anything else to add?”

“Just let me say goodbye.”

“Then I’ll wait for you in the car.” He nods sharply and stalks through the tiny gate at the back of the house. Above the chain-link fence, I see him hotfooting it around the bend.

I turn to Erica. “Glad to have you back.”

“Chef Baley! Is he serious? Can I seriously meet my idol?”

“I think so…” I say hesitantly.

In my heart, I don’t know if I’m giving her false hope. It could just be another tactic from the Ice King, a way to move all the chess pieces on the board so they do exactly what he says.

Erica is over the moon.

And, despite my misgivings, I really hope Cody keeps his promise.

* * *

Once I get backin the car, I notice Cody on his phone.

“That was Baley.” The redness in his face has cooled and he’s back to being the stoic, in-control Ice King. “I made an appointment for Wednesday afternoon. He’s agreed to fly in and give the lesson at the co-op so the other ladies can attend if they want to. I’ll have Vargas arrange the details.”

I nod, my eyes stuck to his sharply-hewn face.

Cody focuses on his phone.

I continue to stare at him.

He doesn’t look up as he mumbles, “Careful, Ms. Maura. If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll start to think you don’t hate me.”

His tone is dark, bristling with a seductive thread.

Clearing my throat, I stare straight ahead. “You didn’t have to go as far as bringing in a celebrity chef. She was already being swayed.”

“Time is money. I could have closed the deal right then by dangling Baley.”

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