Page 83 of Cookbooks and Demons

Helena pursed her lips, and Cindy’s eyes went wide. “Oh.”

“No, I don’t know. He cares about me, that much I know is true, but with his life being what it is…”

“Have you told him youlove him?”

Helena turned sharply to carry her burdens to the living room. “Yes, okay.”

“Wait, has he said it back to you?” Cindy called, grabbing up her own armfuls to follow.

“What do you think?” Helena shot back, knowing she shouldn’t be getting defensive but unable tohelp it.

“Oh God, did he say something cliche like ‘I know’?”

“I doubt he’s ever seen a movie, let alonethatmovie.”

“Wow, he’s really thathardcore?”

“About cooking, absolutely.” Helena shed the clothes on the only spare space on the couch.

“Okay, then when do you get to see him again?”

“I don’t know. Probably be a while, but you know what? That’s okay. I’ve got the Winter Rose Ball literally in two weeks, and I need to focus on that, not get distracted.” Helena shook out a garbage bag and drew it down one of the bundles of hanging clothes. “I’ve picked a caterer and made all the other big arrangements, but there are a hundred and one little details that have to be worked out. I wouldn’t be able to nurture a beginning relationship properly anyway.”

“I’m sorry I’m not going with you,” Cindy said, helping by grabbing up the bottom of the bag to pull the strings and tie it. Helena laid the packaged clothing on her dining room table while Cindy went for the next bundle. “I know I was supposed to be yourplus one.”

“It’ll be fine. Chris and Charlie will be there,” Helena tried to assure, but hearing the statement out loud, clarified to her why that was not as reassuring as it would have been a couple months ago.

“You still haven’t told Charlie yet about Chris?” Cindy asked.

“Actually, I have, but I didn’t say anything because we didn’t want to burden you,” Helenaadmitted.

Cindy froze at that declaration. “Oh. Well. How did hetake it?”

Before she could answer Helena’s phone rang out. This time it wasScarlet.

“I’m so sorry. It’s my boss,” Helena said, answering it before Cindy could even nod. “I’m so sorry, Scarlet. I’ll be there soon—”

“My dear,” Scarlet’s voice said, cutting off any and all other conversation with a tone that commanded kings to bow. Helena’s eyes went wide. “If you are not in my office within the hour, do not bother coming back at all. Do you understand me?”

“Y-yes, ma’am,” Helena said, her feet already spurring her toward Cindy’s door. The phone hung up before she even got there. “I have to go. I am so sorry. Your dad is almost here, but I got…” But she couldn’t finish that sentence as she jetted down the hall. Luckily, the elevator binged open at just that moment, and Helena jumped on it, throwing a last glance at Cindy watching her leave fromher door.

Helena tried to wave, but her friend didn’t return it.

Chapter 43

Almost

Got Fired

Helena rushed into Scarlet’s office with a heavy heart. She had made it under the deadline, but she knew she was far from out of the woods yet.

No one noticed her return as everyone in the office was running around, focused on their own tasks. Which was fine because Helena beelined straight for Scarlet’s door. Or she would have, but Yosef intercepted her.

“Stop,” he ordered, grabbing her upper arms to encourage that idea as he stood between her andScarlet.

“No, I have to get in there—” Helena tried to say, but he didn’t lether pass.

“Take a breath,” he commanded.

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