Page 77 of The Chef's Kiss
And she was wrong. I didn’t care who the father was. That baby was going to be amazing because they would have Jorgina as a mother.
Crowds of graduates in their crimson and black gowns greeted family, their chatter filling the air with excitement. I remembered when I finished school. I’d been so focused on what came next I didn’t let myself realize what I’d accomplished, celebrate it.
A group of graduates blocked my path, and as I hurried around them, I saw Jorgina’s family. Her brothers were imposing figures, dwarfing Cara. Her grandfather had a proud smile on his face, and even her father looked softer than normal. Like today was a good day for him too.
But Jorgina wasn’t with them. I searched for her face, the smirk I knew she’d have as she looked at her classmates. Cara caught sight of me at the same time the Ashford brothers did. Carter started forward, grim determination on his face, but Cara reached for him, saying something that made him retreat, the scowl never wavering.
She met my gaze, her lips twitching into a smile as she nodded toward the rows of chairs set up in front of the theater that served as the location of the ceremony. A lone girl sat among the empty seats.
I walked toward her, past the crowds of students, past the families showering them with praise.
When I first came to Superiore Bay, it was like a jail sentence. My last resort to repair my reputation before I could get back to the life I thought I wanted. But I knew now, that life was empty. Fancy restaurants, strangers eating my food … none of it was as satisfying as seeing Jorgina try a new dish or knowing the names of each patron who entered my restaurant.
Small-town life wasn’t for a lot of people, and I’d thought it wasn’t for me, but the idea of taking Jordan’s offer, of leaving everything, everyone behind, it made me realize what an idiot I’d been.
Jorgina didn’t look up as I approached, but she knew I was there. I could see it in the tense rising of her shoulders. Her body stiffened, as if she was prepared for a fight. I hated that she thought I’d come for any reason other than to support her.
“What are you doing over here?” I asked, rounding the chairs.
Her foot kicked against the ground. “I needed a moment.” When she finally lifted her face, there was a guilty smile playing on her lips. “I, uh, I’m not exactly used to all these people being here for me. Our family …” She sighed. “Let’s just say that even being in the same place at the same time is rare for all of us. It’s a bit …”
“Overwhelming?”
She nodded, placing a hand on her stomach, as if the movement had become ingrained in her. I guess it had. The truth was, she was never alone now.
I sat down a few chairs over from her. On the drive, I’d thought of a million things to say, but now I had nothing. So, I started with the truth. “Your father came to the restaurant last night.”
Her eyes snapped to mine. “How did I not see him?”
“It was after you left for the night.”
“Serves me right for taking off early.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Was he checking up on me?”
I shook my head. “He actually came to see me.”
She turned her entire body to face me. “I’m so sorry for whatever he said.”
I’d had a lot of time during the sleepless night to think about that conversation. At first, I’d compared it to my parents, but I knew that was wrong.The Ashfordloved his daughter. That was plain. His manipulations were wrong, but he wanted to keep her with him, to be a part of her life.
My parents only ever wanted me to keep their reputations solid.
“He wants you to stay in Superiore Bay.”
Confusion crossed her face. “But I’m not the one who’s leaving.” She stood. “What did he do? That man’s manipulations are legendary.”
I could see the anger flooding her cheeks, so I stood to face her. “He loves you. He was worried my leaving would hurt you.”
She pushed past me. “He’s wrong. I don’t care if you stay or go. It’s your life, Hudson. But thanks for coming to my graduation to tell me my father doesn’t think I can keep the restaurant going without you.”
She didn’t get it. I chased after her, but she didn’t slow. “Jorgie, wait.”
“Go home and pack for your big move, Hudson. I’ll be fine.”
“Maybe I won’t be.” The words exploded out of me. A few people turned to look at me, but none of them was the person I wanted, and she stopped with her back still to me.
“Don’t do this.”
“Don’t do what?” I pushed a hand through my hair. This woman was infuriating. “Don’t drive to your graduation to make a scene in front of all these people? Sorry to tell you, but that’s already done.”
