Page 55 of Falling for You
“Thanks, I have to agree,” Evan quipped. He reached out, snagging CeCe’s hand. It wasn’t much, but he hoped the gesture calmed her. “It’s nice to meet you, Roxie. I take it you’re competing too?”
Roxie nodded. “Yes. I’m here with a pair of my sous chefs. I should have known CeCe would be here. We don’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell now. It’s nice of you to come out and support your gal, though.”
“Oh, no. I’m competing with CeCe. We work at the same restaurant.”
Roxie’s eyes sparkled as she turned back to CeCe. “Girl, I see you’re breaking your own rules. Good for you.” Roxie swatted Evan’s arm before taking a step back. “Go have some fun. I have to meet my team, but I’ll see you around.” With a wave over her shoulder, Roxie disappeared and CeCe’s pinched face gave Evan pause.
“She seems nice,” Evan said, watching CeCe as they continued their walk to the hotel. Evan realized there was a lot about her time before Buckeye Falls he didn’t know about. Suddenly he was starving for details, hungry for morsels of her past that she hadn’t been willing to share. “So how do you know all these people?” he asked, reaching down and taking her hand in his. Unlike a moment ago, her palm was slick with sweat and nearly slid from his grasp. Giving a gentle squeeze, he prayed the movement conveyed his support as well as his curiosity.
CeCe tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Roxie and I used to wait tables out of school, then we started in some of the same kitchens in Chicago. Some are old coworkers, others I’ve just met through my travels. This may surprise you, but I can be pretty bossy if I visit a kitchen I like.” She winked at him, and Evan laughed, recalling how she got her job at the diner years before. Max was quick to share the story whenever anyone asked, and CeCe didn’t shy away from defending her early criticism of the diner’s desserts.
Before Evan realized where they were, CeCe stopped in front of their hotel. “You mind if I head in and rest for a bit?”
“Sure. Can I walk you up?” he asked, hoping she’d allow him to join her for at least a moment of peace in the elevator. He wasn’t ready to give up this one-on-one time with his girl yet.
And because his sister had the worst timing in the world, that is when he heard her voice coming from the hotel lobby. “There you guys are,” Mallory said as she bounded over to them. She was dressed in her favorite non-work outfit of yoga pants and a Bruce Lee T-shirt. It was the same version as his favorite, a gift from Sophie several Christmases prior. “I was about to check in. How are things going?”
Mallory and CeCe exchanged a quick hug before CeCe took another step back toward the elevator. “We’re good, but I’m glad you’re here. You can keep your brother company while I snag a quick nap.” CeCe leaned in and kissed Evan on the cheek before darting away like a skittish wild animal.
Evan frowned. Ever the observant sister, Mallory sighed. “What did you do?”
“I can safely say this time it wasn’t me, but that doesn’t mean I know what’s going on.” Cupping the back of his neck, he exhaled until his shoulders slumped.
Mallory looked concerned. “Is CeCe okay? She looked a little tired.”
“I hope so, but something’s up. She’s been acting cagey since we got here. Plus, we bumped into an old friend who made a comment that seemed to rile her up.” Evan raked a hand through his hair, unable to stay still. “I wish she’d talk to me.”
Mallory took her brother’s arm and yanked him toward the door. “I just drove two hours on I-70. Let’s dissect your relationship over food. Have you had lunch yet?”
Thinking back to his half-empty noodle bowl, Evan shook his head. “Let’s eat.”
Evan hoped Mallory could help him get to the bottom of CeCe’s withdrawn state, because it was driving him crazy. He was in love with her, and he wanted to make her life as bright as she had made his.
CHAPTER 14
CeCe had never beenmuch for girl talk before she met Evan. But now, mere hours away from the competition, she needed a second opinion on things.
