Page 49 of The Chef's Kiss
“No doubt.” I was determined to succeed at this job, to put my all into it, not just for me but because I wanted the bistro to be a success for Hudson. I saw how much of himself he put into it, into his dishes.
I finished my food and set my plate on the grass, stretching out my legs. “I never got to thank you.”
“You don’t need—”
“No, I do. You don’t owe me anything, Hudson. And yet, you were kind to me. I won’t forget that.”
He was quiet for a moment. “Can I ask you a question?”
“He was a guy I was seeing in college.” It was what everyone would want to know. “I thought I’d finally found a nice guy after some … not so nice ones. The day I found out I was pregnant, my roommate got engaged to the man she’d secretly been dating.”
“No.”
I nodded. “I was quite surprised when she introduced us. I left that night without even telling her.” Cara was my best friend, the best girl friend I’d ever had. And she still didn’t know why I abandoned her. I hadn’t told anyone the whole story, but after yesterday, Hudson deserved it.
“I’m sorry that happened to you. My question was actually about your family.”
My face flamed. “Oh, sure. Ask away.”
“You say they won’t understand, but they love you, right?”
“I guess.”
“I have two parents who only really care what I do for their reputation. I know what not caring looks like. Maybe your family deserves to show you they’ll be there for you.”
I’d never considered it that way, that I owed them a chance at the truth. My eyes drifted to the sun glinting off the water. “You’re probably right.” There was no probably about it. Hudson said exactly what I’d known. I needed to tell them. Before they found out any other way.
* * *
They sat in the den, waiting. For me. For the reason I strong-armed each of my brothers into coming to the house they hated.
Moonlight streamed in through the kitchen windows as I stood alone, trying to gather my courage, my will. I’d thought maybe the cover of darkness would help me stay calm, help everything seem smaller.
I couldn’t remember the last time we’d been together as a family. It was probably when I was a kid and they were all still teenagers. No fiancées were here, just my brothers along with my father and grandfather.
I could hear soft murmurs coming from the den, but it was only my grandfather, trying to ease everyone into the meeting. He loved each of his grandkids, and he loved his son. I knew it hurt him that there were rifts in the family.
The biggest was between Dad and Conrad, but Conrad was too introspective, too in-control to ever let it get out of hand. Carter was different. He was the king of out-of-control, his temper usually directed at our father.
Conner had always been the good soldier, the one who played along with Father’s whims … until he fell in love with Lena.
I knew how they saw me. I was the princess, the favorite who never had to live up to expectations or give up anything to be a part of the family.
“You can’t keep them waiting forever.” Granddad’s voice echoed through the kitchen as he walked toward me and set his hands on my shoulders. “They’ll rip each other apart if you do.”
I hung my head. “What if they’re ashamed of me?”
“Jo.” He turned me to face him. “That won’t happen. Do you trust me?”
I nodded. There were few people I trusted more.
“Then, trust them too.”
Trust them. Could I do that? Hudson’s words came back to me, and I knew I had to try. “Okay, I’m ready.” As I could ever be.
Granddad took my hand in his and led me into the hall toward the den. The lighting was dim, and the faint scent of pipe tobacco hung in the air. Conner and Carter shared the couch while Conrad leaned against the wall beside them. Dad sat rigidly in his high-backed chair.
Each set of eyes fell on me.
