It’s been more than a year since I dated anyone and didn’t realize how much I’ve missed it.
Except I’m not looking for anything beyond sex.
“I really do appreciate you letting me screw up your plans,” Serena says after a moment.
“I didn’t want to go to the charity event anyway. Not on a nightlike tonight. And I just got a text from the team saying it’s been canceled.”
She nods. “Not a night to be out and about.” She puts a piece of meat in her mouth. Watching her, I realize there’s something familiar about her but I can’t imagine where I would know her from.
“Why do you look so familiar?” I ask after a moment.
She hesitates briefly and then one corner of her mouth lifts. “Did you ever watch a television show called ‘Dusty Peaks’?”
My eyes widen and recognition dawns. “Wait a minute—you’re Marissa!”
She nods. “Yup. I played Marissa. It was a great recurring role. Until I got myself knocked up in real life and they wouldn’t write it in.”
“Oh, shit. I’m sorry. I loved that show. We used to watch it on road trips all the time on my last team. And they straight up fired you?”
“Well, it’s a little more nuanced than that, but that’s what it boils down to. Once I got pregnant, I did a few more episodes, but then they wrote me off. Henry went on to marry Blair.”
I make a face. “She was awful. The character, I mean.”
“I know what you meant. Sadly, that was the end of my acting career.” She reaches out to ruffle Joey’s hair. “But I have no regrets other than the money.”
“And there were no other roles for you to get?”
“I was new. That was my first prime time role, and although Marissa was popular, she was still a side character. Henry’s final fling before settling down with his great love or whatever. Basically, I had less than one season of success so I didn’t have any power in the industry. And of course, it didn’t help that I lived here in Atlanta. Maybe in L.A. something would’ve happened, but not here.”
“What do you do now?”
“I’m the lead chef at Peachtree Academy. It’s a private school not too far from here.”
“That’s where Lindy goes!” I say. “And you’re a chef?”
“Well, it’s a fancy word for the head cafeteria lady, I guess. I was in culinary school, doing a little acting and modeling on the side. I dropped out when I got the role on Dusty Peaks, but my skills were enough to impress the headmaster at Peachtree Academy, and while the pay is okay, working there means Joey will get a top-notcheducation once he starts kindergarten. I also have health insurance and get to cook for a living. All things considered, it’s win-win.”
Except for the fact that she has a car that’s falling apart, clothes that are secondhand, and it’s obvious she worries about money.
I probably shouldn’t mention that.
“What kinds of things do you get to cook for a bunch of kids?”
“It’s more complicated—and interesting—than you might think. I find all kinds of creative ways to get them to eat healthy. Like brownies that are full of veggies or lasagna that’s equal parts cheese and vegetables. I’ve got a carrot cake recipe with more protein and fiber than some meat dishes, so it’s really a good opportunity.”
“It sounds great. I do a bit of cooking myself.”
“Yeah?” She cocks her head curiously. “Like what?”
“Well, my beef bourguignon is pretty epic, if I do say so myself. And my roommates beg me to make my osso bucco.”
“I feel like this is a challenge,” she says, eyes glittering with amusement. “Because I’m pretty suremyosso bucco is the best in the state.”
“Then maybe we need to have a cookoff.” Our eyes meet and hers are filled with fierce determination, despite the twinkle in her eye.
She folds her arms across her chest playfully. “You’re on. Name the time and place.”
Chapter