Page 59 of Hers to Marry
“I…I have a wedding cake—”
“No, you don’t!” Susie practically shouted. Then she awkwardly chuckled, patting Kat on the back. “Kat is so devoted to our clients. It’s one of her many qualities.” She gave Kat a pointed look. “I’ll finish that cake while you do the apprenticeship in New York. I don’t think this offer will come back around any time soon, do you?”
Kat shook her head.
“Good. She’ll do it. Thank you. Say thank you, Katrina.”
Kat dipped her head in embarrassment. “Thank you, Mr. LeBleu. It really is an honor.”
He arched a brow at her. “I hope you’re more talkative when you get in front of the camera. Your beauty is captivating, but the viewers can’t taste your creations. You’ll have to convince them by telling them they’re magnificent.”
“She’ll be no problem.” Susie gripped Kat’s shoulders. “You should see how she interacts with customers. Sometimes we can’t get her to shut up.”
Kat let out a heavy breath. “I apologize. I really have allowed myself to become stressed out about this. This is…this is really a dream come true for me, honest. I will be the most diligent student you’ve ever had.”
“I don’t take on many,” LeBleu said. “I prefer to work with people I know have true talent. Your desserts are incredible, really, Katrina. And I think if you expand your horizons, you’ll find the application easy in other areas.”
“I do have a few more ideas for breakfasts,” Kat added.
“There you go.” LeBleu smiled. “Then you’ll be on to dinner and steaks and forget all about desserts.”
Kat laughed. “Never! Desserts are my weakness.”
LeBleu nodded. “Mine too. Well”—he slapped his hands on his knees—“I think this has been one of my most successful discoveries yet. I really must thank you, Susie, for reaching out. You caught me in the right mood to take a chance, which I rarely ever do outside of food.”
Kat smiled and gazed at her friend through tears. “Susie is really one of a kind. I’m going to hate being away.”
Susie laughed and rubbed Kat’s arm. “No, she won’t,” she said to LeBleu. “She can’t wait to go to New York. She’s never been anywhere, and it’ll be great to experience a new place, new people, new everything. She will not miss that plane, Mr. LeBleu. You have my word on that. Kat will be in New York.”
LeBleu laughed. “I believe you. Good, because I only fly by private jet. Can’t afford to waste time in airport security. I’ll send a driver to pick you up, and we’ll start lessons on the plane. I have a kitchen that I like to use to test new recipes before I land somewhere and do a show.”
“That sounds wonderful! I will be standing at my door ready, I promise.” Kat shared a knowing look with Susie, who appeared more relieved and relaxed.
After LeBleu left, Kat couldn’t stop grinning and giggling. “I’ve never been anywhere,” she said absentmindedly while cleaning up the dishes. “This will be…”
“The most amazing experience you’ve ever had. Trust me,” Susie finished for her. “And I better get a cut of the royalties when you produce your first cookbook.”
“Done,” Kat said with a laugh. “But aren’t we getting ahead of ourselves?”
“Um, no. Do you know of any television chef who doesn’t have a cookbook or two or three out?”
Kat racked her brain but couldn’t think of one.
“Exactly,” Susie answered. “These television shows come with additional contract deals. It’ll probably be a three-book cookbook deal. You’ll need an agent or an attorney. Make sure you get the most money you possibly can. If anything happens to the television show, like getting canceled—because these networks are so fickle—then at least you have money coming in from the books.”
“What about my bakery?” Kat asked. “I would have enough money to buy one now.”
“Girl, you could own three bakeries. Sure. You’ll have one and put me out of business.”
Kat gave her friend a side hug. “I could never do that.”
“Nah. There’s plenty of room in this city for the two of us. We’ll put the rest of them out of business.” Susie let out a devious laugh. “All I ask is that you leave me with a few of your original recipes so I can cash in on some of this.”
Kat smiled. “And a cut of my book royalties.”
“Yeah, that, too. Don’t forget about that.”
Kat bellowed. “I owe it all to you anyway. You should be my agent.”
