Page 53 of The Devil She Knows
Hannah slipped her hand free of Sam’s and scowled. “That’s not funny, Sam.”
No freaking way. Coco actually stole her recipes? What a bitch.
“No, you’re right,” she said. “That’s not funny.”
It was god-awful was what it was. Stealing recipes Sam had worked damn hard on? Despicable. Not just stealing but lying about it? Claiming ownership? It took someone truly low to do a thing like that. No wonder everyone was acting weird about it; clearly Coco was persona non grata in Sam’s life. For good reason.
Hannah nodded. “Let’s leave the past where it belongs and focus on our future, okay?”
Our future.She did like the sound of that.
“You’re right.” Sam flashed her a smile. “I’m being silly.”
The waiter appeared to take their order. Hannah askedfor the asparagus and crab salad and Sam considered the miso carbonara before ordering the slow-roasted celeriac and radish salad instead.
“Jonah called me today,” Hannah said when the waiter left.
Was she supposed to know who Jonah was?
“Casting director at Bravo?” Exasperation seeped into Hannah’s voice. “You know. Jonah.”
“Jonah. Of course.” What the fuck? “And what did Jonah at Bravo have to say?”
“They want you.” Hannah’s knee bounced against Sam’s under the table. “TopfreakingChef, Sam.”
Christ on a cracker.
Hannah’s smile wavered. “Aren’t you excited?”
ThisSam probably should be, but after her last cookingcompetition experience, she could scarcely imagine anything she wanted to do less than compete in another. “I’m … speechless.”
That was good enough for Hannah. She leaned across the table and clinked her glass against Sam’s. “To us. May all the pieces of our five-year plan continue to fall perfectly into place.” She sat back in the booth and stared at Sam with a dreamy smile. “Jonah also said the network is, and I quote, ‘strongly considering’ me for the next season ofHousewives.” She clapped her hands and squealed. “Can you believe it?Housewives, Sam!”
“That’s—that’s really great, Han.”
Hannah deflated like a bad soufflé, and Sam knew without Hannah having to say a word that her reaction had left something to be desired.
This was all a lot to take in, going from being a pastry chef with a snowball’s chance of getting promoted to executive chef turned restaurant owner with 1.2 million followers and a future in reality television. To her, this was happening at lightning speed, but to Hannah this was a Wednesday in October and these plans that were coming together had been the result of months, if not years, of work. This was her life, this wastheirlife. The one they were building. Together.
Sam had asked for this. Maybe not as such, but if this was part and parcel of being Hannah’s dream girl, Sam needed to get with the program. TikTok andTop Chefweren’t inconveniences; they were opportunities, and she’d be damned if she took them for granted.
Literally.Damned.
Sam took a deep breath and nudged the bread basket aside so she could take Hannah’s hand. “I’m sorry. I’m over the moon. I promise I am. It’s been a really weird day and I’m all scatterbrained.”
Hannah continued to pout, but in that way of hers that Sam knew meant she was putting it on but still wanted Sam to work for her forgiveness.
“Please, Han?” She jutted out her lower lip, pretending to pout right back. “Forgive me.”
“You’re ridiculous.” Hannah cracked a smile and rolled her eyes. “But fine. You’re forgiven.” Her eyes widened. “Oh my God! I almost forgot! Janelle called and the photographer who did Christian McCaffrey and Olivia Culpo’s wedding spread inVogueis officially confirmed for ours.”
Sam didn’t have the slightest clue who either of those people were, but Hannah’s joy was infectious. “That’s amazing.”
“Isn’t it?” Hannah gushed. “It’s hard to believe this is all happening.” She squeezed Sam’s hand. “It feels like a dream come true, doesn’t it?”
Hannah had no idea how right she was.
“If this is a dream,” she said, “I don’t ever want to wake up.”
