Page 67 of Thanking Her Brother's Best Friends

Chloe responded with an impressive snort that sounded like something you'd hear on a jungle safari. "Please, that should be the last of your worries."

Itshouldhave been, but it wasn't. Not for people like me who'd internalized the scarcity mindset far too hard.

"You're thinking about shit not working out once again, aren't you?" She made dagger eyes at me.

"I demand that you stop right now. Girl." She made a dramatic gesture of floating with her hands. "Repeat after me. Iembrace abundance. I choose it, I love it!"

"No thanks," I replied, choking back my urge to laugh. "I'm not in the mood for Zen boomer bullshit right now. Not that I have anything against positive affirmations," I added hastily as she proceeded to look very hurt. "I just think you need an obscene amount of confidence to really believe that shit."

"One of these days, you're gonna see—what youfeelis what youattract." Chloe's voice became all sing-song and mystic, and she flounced into the kitchen.

I proceeded to echo her snort and got back to immersing myself in decorating the pastries.

A couple of hours later, I followed a primly-dressed woman, her hair pulled up into a sleek ponytail, through a maze of carpeted floors and strategically positioned potted plants.

I loved Turner's office—the rows of wooden shelves holding first editions of the rarest culinary books, the quaint windows overlooking a very lively Seaport Square, and the general hum of activity inside.

Turner's secretary paused in front of a set of wooden doors and rapped sharply. She poked her head inside for a moment and then opened the doors wide. "Mr. Turner will see you now."

I stepped in and was immediately enveloped in a bear hug by the man himself. "Selene, my dear, seeing you is always the highlight of my day! This has been the most excellent season, oh, yes!"

He led me to a chair in front of his polished wood table. As I sat down, he made two coffees for us personally.

Little things like this made me adore the man more. I fucking loved unassuming people, especially if you couldn't tell that they were one of Boston's earliest self-made billionaires.

"So," I began, taking a sip of the most delicious coffee. "What are we discussing today? Tell me everything is fine with the show?"

His grin widened as he leaned forward. "Selene, my dear, everything is great. This is just me and you brainstorming about the next season. I've been thinking, and I want to bring a taste of wanderlust to the kitchen. We'll transport our viewers to vibrant food markets, bustling street stalls, and hidden culinary gems around the world. We'll make them feel like they're right there, savoring the flavors and embracing the cultures."

My heart skipped a beat at the prospect. Chloe hadn't been too far off. I made a mental note to ask her whether she had psychic abilities. "Go on."

Mr. Turner's eyes twinkled. "So, we'll do this in two parts. One part could involve virtually collaborating with chefs from other countries. We can do debates on local cuisine, farmers, and food artisans who have mastered the art of their trade. We'll celebrate their traditions and share their stories with the world."

I leaned in. My mind buzzed with excitement, ideas swirling like spices in a bustling market. "Have you narrowed down on any potential names? Who are the culinary pioneers we can collaborate with?"

He tapped on the table enthusiastically. "We'll seek out the rebels, the ones who challenge the status quo and redefine the culinary landscape. I'm thinking chefs like David Chang, José Andrés, and Christina Tosi migh join us on this journey. But wait, there's another part."

I nodded, waiting for him to go on.

He removed his spectacles and wiped them on a handkerchief as he spoke. This time, his voice was quieter. "You are doing excellent work, Selene. And the show will be yours, as will the final decision. I know you have a son, and you're his sole caregiver. There's time to make this decision, and I will support it regardless of what you choose."

Okay, why was my heart thumping? I took another swig of the coffee. "I'm listening."

"I would love for you to visit some of the prime locations. As of now, we have narrowed down places in India, Thailand, and Vietnam. As we move forward, we'll have more locations. It could... it is very ambitious, but you would go global, and so would the show. The possibilities are endless."

This was the most wonderful thing. This was like a fairy godmother telling the fifteen-year-old me that the biggest dreams I'd had were about to come true.

But...

Those dreams existed before Ollie happened.

I continued looking at Turner's face, my lips moving without making any audible sound.

Turner finally took the initiative to break the silence by reaching across and patting the hand I was resting on the table. "I don't want you to decide right now. Take a month or two. Just let me know when you're ready."

Slowly, I got up from the chair, a massive feat considering my legs felt like poorly-set jelly.

"I—I just wanted to say that this is the most beautiful opportunity." These were the only words that would come out. "And I can't thank you enough for extending it to me."

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