And He Cooks Too (33 page)

Three days ago, after Reese had thrown him off her porch, he’d returned home from Connecticut committed to making his break from Leonie. Learning about her infamous Internet video the next morning had further underscored that this was the time to go. Then he’d started getting calls from reporters and other media types and panicked at the thought that the video might be ruining his career. To leave the show now might send the wrong message. So he’d let Leonie and his agent tell him what to say.

He hung up and glanced again at his computer screen. “Thanks again for the unwanted publicity, Reese. I know you were angry. And disappointed. But did you have to do this?”

He hadn’t been able to stop watching the video, as much as his better judgment and Leonie warned him not to. Every time he viewed it, despite all the problems this Internet monstrosity was causing him, he felt a tiny thrill of elation. Whatever had prompted Reese to make this video, her performance demonstrated how well she’d come to know him.

He touched the screen. “You got my mannerisms down, sweetheart, I’ll give you that. Even that subtle lift of the brow.”

He hadn’t talked to Reese since she’d sent him on his way. Maybe she’d changed her mind about him? Or with the buzz surrounding the video, maybe she’d want to apologize? Before he got a chance to find out, the phone rang again.

He checked the caller ID. He’d had to do that the last few days, screening out more media types than he answered. Leonie. Damn! Her constant calls to check on the rest of his constant calls were getting to him. But if he didn’t respond, she’d show up on his doorstep, which would be worse.

“That ridiculous video may have been the best thing that could have happened to the show,” she gushed breathlessly.

“Run that by me again.”

“The video, dear. Everyone’s watching it, talking about it. And every time they do, the show gets mentioned.”

“I know that, but what’s
the
best thing that’s happened
as a result?”

“The network wants to meet with us next week. That harlot of a chef may have turned things around for me!”

For her again. Of course. Just once, couldn’t she think about him? Or be the least bit worried about the potential damage the video might be doing to his career.

“Don’t they know that Reese has left? Wasn’t that the point of her little performance—to announce she’s left the show by mocking me?”

“The network didn’t mention Reese.”

“And you didn’t bother to tell them that she’d left.”

“Don’t worry about that, dear. If the subject even comes up, we’ll work around it.”

This was it. The moment of truth. All the times he’d planned to walk out on her had come down to this telephone call. Time to give notice. “Leonie—”

She cut him off with, “They finally want me, Nick. Isn’t that fabulous?”

He closed his mouth, thought better of what he was about to say. She wouldn’t hear him anyway. Jasper was probably right. The only way she was going to come to her senses was when the network rejected her. Which was the only outcome he could see emerging from the upcoming meeting. “Yeah. You finally are getting what you want.”

That being all she needed to hear, she clicked off.

He collapsed into one of the easy chairs in his living room. The thrill of completing such a mundane activity without the aid of crutches long gone.

Another week. They’d meet with the network, the execs there would laugh at the idea of Leonie co-hosting the show with him, and that would be that. He’d have fulfilled his commitment to her and could move on. Leonie could either fight to host the show herself or give up and return to catering full time. What she should have been doing all along.

Another week. He could wait that long.

A knock at his door broke off his reverie. What now? Had some enterprising reporter made it past the doorman?

Fortunately, that wasn’t the case. Instead, Dave Macklin stood at his threshold. Grinning, he greeted Nick with, “Hiya, buddy. I’ve missed our racquetball sessions. Stopped by to see when we can start up again.”

“Good to see you. I could use the company.”

Like a bashful maiden, gripping his hands and raising his shoulders, Dave gushed, “Aw, shucks, Mr. Coltrane. You flatter me.”

“Don’t let it go to your head. Have a seat. All I’ve done lately is dodge media types. I can speak freely with you.”

Dave flopped onto the couch. “Ah, yes. The infamous Internet video. That co-host of yours is talented. Wish she’d mimicked my act instead. I could use the publicity.”

Nick rolled his eyes. “I’d gladly trade with you. The media has been relentless trying to discover if I was the one she is imitating.”

Dave blinked. “Wasn’t that the plan? So the network would discover you?”

Nick growled. “They’ve
discovered
us all right.” He updated his friend about the events of the last several days.

“You’ve been busy, friend,” Dave said, when Nick finished. “I’d think you’d be relieved that someone else finally knows you can’t cook.”

Nick returned to his chair. “I don’t know how I feel. Reese wants nothing further to do with me, just as I’m discovering how much she means to me. Leonie is setting herself up for a fall. She can’t do banter any more than she can resist a new outfit.”

“Wait! Back up. What’s this about
how much Reese means to you
?”

“My life’s a pile of rubble and that’s what you zeroed in on?”

His friend attempted without success to smother a smile. Or a smirk. Nick couldn’t tell which. “You finally find a woman you really like, one who isn’t just another conquest—hell, man, that’s special. For you, that’s incredible!”

“Did you not hear the part about her telling me to leave and that we weren’t meant to be?”

Dave air-flicked his right hand, as if that would bat away all Nick’s problems. “And you’re going to let that stop you? Look, Nick, you showed up uninvited on her doorstep. Just a few days after she learned about the con you and Leonie were putting over on everyone. Of course she didn’t accept you with open arms.”

Nick shook his head in frustration. “Reese isn’t one to forget things like this quickly. If ever.”

“Have you called her since?”

“Thought about it. But if she learns of our meeting with the network, she’ll assume it’s another ploy to get her back on the show.” He didn’t want to discuss Reese further. Dave might be his friend, but not so long ago he was making a play for Reese himself. “Brewsky?” he asked and went off to get them beers.

“You’re moving around pretty good there, buddy,” Dave observed, when Nick returned.

“At least something’s going right.”

Dave narrowed his eyes. “It’s more than right. It’s a sign. Ankle on the mend, it’s time for you to make your move.”

Nick pulled on his beer, considered Dave’s words. “Easier said, man. Leonie invents another new strategy I can’t say no to every time I get ready to go.”

Dave let out a heavy sigh.

“Whadda I say?” Nick responded. “Better yet, what aren’t you saying?”

Dave scrunched up his forehead as if debating whether to speak. “Listen to yourself. Leonie cuts you off at the pass every time you’re ready to stand up to her? Every time I encourage you to go for it, you come up with some new reason why you can’t follow through.” Setting his beer aside, he rose and came over to where Nick still stood. “Interesting parallel, huh?”

“Parallel?” Nick repeated, not seeing the comparison. Dave didn’t have the same feelings of loyalty toward him that Nick had toward Leonie. Although Dave had been pretty loyal over the years, he hadn’t been subjected to the repeated self-absorption Nick faced with Leonie. To be fair, he had to admit that whenever they got together, he was pretty involved with his own concerns, not the other way around. But still, their situations were wildly different.

Dave raised a brow. “Ah-hah! I see it in your eyes. You’re trying on my comment for size. Good. Now, put down your beer.”

“Huh?” But Nick did as Dave directed.

Dave came closer. “Back up to that easy chair. You’re no longer an invalid, but I’m not taking any chances.”

Puzzled, Nick took a few steps back. “What are you doing?”

Before he could finish, Dave grabbed him by the upper arms and shoved him into the chair. “Sorry. I didn’t want to re-injure your ankle, but I need your full attention.”

Nick righted himself in the chair. He’d never seen Dave this proactive. “You could have just told me to listen.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve got your attention now, so here goes. I can’t continue to watch you find reasons not to do what you know has to be done. All that’s accomplished is to enable you to repeatedly back down.”

“
Enable
? Drop the pop psychology. I don’t need a therapist.”

Dave stepped back but remained standing directly in front of him. “How else would you describe someone who repeatedly lets someone else make poor decisions?”

“A friend. One who’s there for you, no matter what.”

“Sorry, Nick. I can’t be that person any more. When I do that, I’m not helping you. The only thing I’m doing is making it possible for you to be your own worst enemy.”

Nick massaged his temples. His head was growing heavy, like a lead balloon. “Guess you weren’t the company I was needing after all.”

“You’re just unwilling to hear me. But I’m going to say this one more time anyhow. Either stand up to her or quit complaining.” Dave turned, started toward the door.

“Don’t go yet,” Nick pleaded. “I’m not rejecting your advice.”

Dave turned, heaved another sigh that said it all. “Whatever you decide, just remember there’s a ticking bomb out there. Reese can cut you off at the knees at any time.”

“Reese? She’s already done her damage. And the result? For the first time, the network is interested in the show. The last thing I need.”

“True, but who’s to say Reese is done with payback? I know I told you just a minute ago not to let her get away. I still say that, but on the other hand, she’s sitting on your secret. You said yourself she can’t tolerate lies. How long can she live with yours?”

Nick considered Dave’s question. “I’ve wondered about that. But I kinda hoped she’d let that go because she, uh, felt something for me too.”

“Possible,” Dave replied.

“Or maybe she’s giving me a chance to make things right?”

Dave shrugged. “Who’s to say?”

“Guess that’d be me. I’ll always have that what-if hanging over me if I don’t do something now to rectify this sham.”

“And that would be?”

“Been so focused on leaving the show, I haven’t given this much thought.”

“How about going public with your little charade before she does?”

He considered the suggestion. Revealing that he couldn’t cook would probably end the show. Certainly their chances with the network. This presented a whole new twist, one he needed to play through in his head a few more times before acting on it.

He rose and drew Dave into a bear hug. “Thanks for stopping by. I needed that push.”

Dave pulled out of the embrace and popped Nick one on the shoulder. “Still friends?”

“Not if you keep beating me up like that.”

Dave chuckled, opened the door. “Keep me posted.”

After Dave left, he returned to his chair and retrieved the beer. One swig and he set it down, the taste having gone sour. Had he really been enabling Leonie? She would have been better off going back to her catering business full time, but he’d continued to play along with her fantasy of becoming a network mogul rather than anger her, afraid that he would lose her if he stood up to her. Had he lost his will in the bargain?

This enabling idea was too new. He needed to digest it. The more immediate problem was how to deal with his lie. Before Reese threw her discovery in his face, he’d seen it as an “act,” a role he’d been playing without anyone else’s knowledge. “Lie” had seemed too strong a word.

But now, he had to acknowledge it for what it was. It may have started out innocent enough, but Leonie and he had been selling the audience a bill of goods. If the media found out he couldn’t cook before he had a chance to spin his side of the story the right way, his career could be in jeopardy. He needed to act before Reese did.

Then he remembered Jasper. Though the supervising producer and Leonie were often at odds, Jasper was a stand-up guy. They’d lied to him too. Thinking about that now made his stomach curdle. His next step was clear: Jasper deserved to know the truth before anyone else.

When he reached Jasper’s apartment, he rushed to say, “I know, I know. You’re not coming back to the show. I finally got that,” before the other man could rebuff him.

Expression guarded, Jasper said. “You’re lucky you found me home. I’ve been in and out a lot lately.”

“I wasn’t sure you’d see me, if I called ahead.”

“What do you want, Nick?”

He didn’t wait for an invitation. He charged into the apartment, nearly knocking papers stacked on the coffee table onto the floor. He stooped to pick them up, but Jasper beat him to it. “I’ll get those,” the older man said hastily, as he shuffled the papers into an untidy pile and stuck a couple file folders on top of them.

Curious, Nick asked, “Got a new project going already?”

“Something like that.”

Although Jasper sat and invited Nick to do the same, Nick was too keyed up. He continued to stand, surveying the room for the first time. “Nice place you’ve got here.”

“It meets my needs.”

Since the other man wasn’t going to add more, Nick realized it was time to take the plunge. “Some potentially nasty stuff is about to hit the fan. I wanted you to hear about it from me first.”

Before Jasper could respond, Nick added, “I went to see Reese, like you suggested, and…”

“Yes?”

Why had he broached that subject? He’d come to tell Jasper he couldn’t cook. But now that he’d opened the door, it was as good an opening as any. “She left the show because she discovered something Leonie and I had been hiding from her and everyone else, including you, and she couldn’t tolerate it. That’s the
deception
she mentioned in her note.”