“I said no, because there is power in no and if I wanted to work full-time for the chamber I would, but that’s not my news,” Lilah said. “Last year Diana Foster and her friends pooled their money so Diana could bid on Omar Harrison—Amanda, he’s a super-hot firefighter, amazing single father. All that. Well, Omar’s proposing to her tonight.”
“Aww, that’s awesome, Li,” Evie said.
“That’s wonderful news,” Miss Leona replied. “Blessings on the happy couple.”
“I told him to send us the pictures or video. However they capture the moment. I’m really happy for them. Omar told me his daughter is really excited too. She loves Diana.”
“When’s this year’s auction?” Amanda asked.
“April. It’s kind of a spring fling sort of thing. People really seem to enjoy it. And we made a real love connection this time.” Lilah was practically glowing. Genuine pride in a job well done. Amanda briefly considered what that would be like before she forced her brain to temporarily erase Dru’s existence again.
“I’m trying to get Jesse to enter the auction this time, but he refuses.”
Jesse put down his fork and fixed Lilah with a hard stare. Amanda didn’t know whether to freeze or hide under the table. She never wanted that look from Jesse Pleasant turned in her direction, but Lilah just glared right back. “And I told Lilah I would do it if she also joins the auction.”
“And I. Said. No. I’m not in the mood to date.”
“Well, neither am I.”
“We got our first review from thePost,” Evie broke in, grabbing everyone’s attention from Lilah and Jesse’s back-and-forth. “Didn’t love our choice in light fixtures. But the menu was awarded stars all around. The carbonara that Brit helped me perfect was the big hit.” Amanda had seen little bits and pieces about Thyme, the restaurant Evie was opening in Manhattan, on her Instagram, but it wasn’t open to the public yet and of course, she hadn’t been to New York recently. Not without She Who Would Not Be Named.
“That’s wonderful, sweetheart. Very proud of you,” Miss Leona said.
“Any word on Celia or when the doc will be released?” Vega asked.
“Celia Lamontagne filmed a documentary on Evie’s recovery and what it took to get Thyme off the ground,” Sam said, filling her in.
“No firm release date yet. We still have more to film, but don’t worry, when I know I’ll make sure everyone knows,” Evie said. “Sam, she told me Larry Johnson asked about you. Did he get in touch with John?”
“Yeah, he did,” Sam said, letting out a heavy, frustrated breath. “I met with him on Tuesday and he had another biopic that would have me cast as the supporting character in my own story. He wasn’t the only one though. We got about twenty scripts this week. Which is great. I want those calls. I want those meetings, but I also want to play a leading man or at least an equal man in an ensemble in something with some heft or some humor. I don’t want to play a sidekick and I definitely don’t want to play a cop.”
“Amanda,” Jesse suddenly said.
“Yes?”
“You look like you were about to say something.”
“Yeah, girl. You have no poker face whatsoever,” Corie added.
“Oh,” she swallowed. “Sorry.”
“Both of you, just chill,” Sam warned.
“Seriously. Why are you trying to start stuff with the girl? She’s been here a whole hour,” Evie laughed.
“Excuse his lack of manners, sweetheart,” Miss Leona chimed in. “At my table you are not required to sing or offer a penny for your thoughts for your supper. Or your French toast.”
Amanda took a deep breath. “Well, I was hoping to save this conversation for our first—yeah, um, but I would maybe ask Sam to be more specific in what he does want?” She looked over at him cautiously. He looked back at her, waiting for her to go on. “It sounds like you’ve been doing the appropriate rounds. No harm in hearing people out even if the project isn’t right for you, but you are in a position to ask for things. And I’m guessing in a position to pitch some ideas of your own.”
“Bloop!” Corie said as she reached for more diced fruit.
“Quiet, you,” Sam said with a playful glare, before he turned his attention back to Amanda. “I’m with you. Go on.”
“I guess just be super honest with yourself, go for the big asks and if this all goes belly-up and your career is ruined, I heard a rumor that your family owns a ranch. Might make for a softer landing.”
“Bloop, bloop, bloop! Girl called the whole family out,” Corie laughed.
“No. I just mean you’re lucky, right. Having a supportive family is great. My parents have my back and they’ll never know how much I appreciate that, but what you guys have here is amazing, from what I’ve seen so far. If you take big risks and they don’t pan out, Big Rock Ranch doesn’t seem like a terrible place to start over.”