“Try.”
“It’s partly because we work together. The attraction between Gerry and me is impossible to ignore. We knew it the second we met. We agreed to remain friends until the project is over. So technically, we’ve done nothing wrong. We just hung out together a lot. There’s something fun about having a secret and not having outside influences from other people. But it doesn’t matter anymore.”
“Didn’t Alexa notice something? Nothing gets past her.”
“Of course. I had to tell her. He brought me home one night, and she was there. Then we ran into him at Matt’s bakery. She left us so we could spend the afternoon together. Who cares. It’s over and done with.” I lean my head against the swing chain. “I can’t face him after last night. Especially after what Tyler said. He made me feel like a slut.”
“It was just a game, Tina.”
I twist my swing to face her. “I guess the girls told you everything.”
“I’m annoyed you wouldn’t tell me something like that. It’s not a big deal.”
I look up to the sky. “Why do I have to defend myself to everyone? It was a big deal to me! When he left, it was like I was being punished for trying to be the old me. And now…he humiliated me both times.”
“Oh, come on. You heard why he left. Yeah, he could have stayed and finished the game but he didn’t. It just wasn’t your time yet. Everything happens for a reason. He seems like a nice guy, and he sounded sincere to me. I don’t think he meant to hurt you. I just don’t understand why you’d feel so bad about yourself. Other college students have done much worse. You’re too hard on yourself for so many things that happened years ago.
“I saw how he kissed you. Was it as good as it looked? I think Kayla’s friends were quite jealous. It made me want to grab James and find a dark corner somewhere. It was intense. Good for you.”
I slouch, but my insides become warm just thinking about it. “It was better than anything I’ve ever experienced, including the drinking game. It’s unbelievable it was him. We had several moments when we almost kissed, but something always interrupted us. The anticipation was overwhelming. My body was on fire all the time when he was around. I could stare at him all day.”
Lisa shivers. “It’s all so complicated and weird. What’s with you and me and our men? Meet them a long time ago, and then they magically appear in our lives again. And Gerry is connected to Matt. What are the odds?”
“Gerry and I clicked from the very beginning. He’s so laid back and gentle with a great sense of humor. You can tell he has an American parent because he gets my jokes.” I giggle. “Well, most of them anyway.” I twist my swing around several times.
“He’s genuinely a nice guy, but I’m so pissed at him.”
“Yes, he should’ve told you…but is there something else?”
“Well, the drinking game inspired him with the blindfold taste testing. Was he just using me in hopes to find the courage to start cooking again? I’m scared it was all a game.”
“Why don’t you ask him? Don’t you want to know the full truth? Maybe it’s not as bad as you think. My guess is your heart knows he wasn’t trying to hurt you.”
“I don’t want people to think I’m trashy like Tyler said.”
“And what would that make Gerry? He played the game too. Why is he the innocent one? So stop it right now. You’re too paranoid. It’s time you get over it and move on!”
I untwist my swing as fast as I can, just like I did when I was a little girl.
Steam from my coffee dampens my nose. I slept in my old bedroom last night. It gave me a protective comfort after all that’s happened. My heart doesn’t hang in my chest anymore. I’m shattered I lost the necklace, but I’m still hopeful it will show up.
I hear the front door of the house open then close. “Tina?” Lisa calls.
“Yeah. In the kitchen. What’s up?”
She walks into the kitchen with a giant smile on her face. “Where’s your phone? I guess I could ask Beth to use her computer.”
“They left a note that they went out for breakfast.” I point to my phone on the other side of the kitchen counter. “Why do you need my phone? Where’s yours?”
“I couldn’t find it, and then when I did, it was dead. Unlock your phone for me. I want to show you something.” I take it and punch in the numbers as I yawn. I slept more than I have in weeks, but I’m still utterly exhausted. “Here.” I slouch over the counter and continue to drink my coffee.
“You and Gerry seem to be the stars of social media with nearly a quarter of a million clicks.”
My coffee suddenly doesn’t taste so good. I snatch my phone out of her hand. “What are you talking about?”
“Just watch.”
Chapter 25
Gerry
I hide in my office because I don’t want to deal with customers or staff. Joel is in control today and knows to pretend I’m not here. I have a stack of papers to go through.
Through the grapevine, I heard Tina was a mess Friday night. I didn’t expect her to return to the restaurant. Her group never even met up with Kayla’s clan. Tyler was a total asshole. I never described Tina in that way. I regret ever telling him, but it can’t be changed.
It’s all my fault. I should’ve told her right from the beginning. I don’t think she wants anything to do with me. Someone called on Saturday claiming Tina lost her necklace somewhere. I remember how she said she’d feel if she ever lost it. I’ve looked everywhere for it but haven’t found it. I wish I could help her, but she’d push me away.
I guess the phone call from Barbara came at the right time. She was able to schedule a meeting with the VOX executive producer in a few weeks in Freiburg, back home. VOX is even paying for my plane ticket. Running away seems to be my profession now.
My phone rings. Kayla. Again. She has become a total mental case. Matt must be pulling his hair out. Everything had better go smoothly in the kitchen on Saturday, or I’ll never live it down. I’m a little rusty for the size of their party, but I know me. It’ll come back as soon as I step into the kitchen.
“Hey, Kayla.” I regret answering this call when I hear her voice. “Yes, I’m ready for Saturday.” I squeeze my eyes shut out of annoyance. “I’ve double-checked, if not triple-checked, and confirmed everything on my task list. For the thousandth time, please don’t worry. I’ve catered bigger parties than yours. I’ll call you right away if I have any questions. Try to calm your nerves.”
I listen to her ramble, but I don’t understand everything. “No, I’m not too depressed over Tina and the video to cater the reception.” I’m about to say goodbye. “Wait a second. Did you just say video? What video?” My heart rate shoots through the roof.
She explains as I type my password into my computer. “Where is it?” I grit my teeth. “You know I don’t have any social media accounts. I closed them all out when I left Germany. Email me the link, and don’t tell me not to worry. You know how I hate attracting any kind of attention in the news. That’s why I came to the US.” I wait impatiently for her email. “Social media is news, fake or not.” I remember some people filming us. And then there was that guy asking if I was the German chef. But I thought I was in the clear because I haven’t heard anything.
I fidget in my chair. “Did you send it? I didn’t get it yet.”
I hear a ping and see Kayla’s name. “Okay. I got it.” My hand shakes as I hover the arrow over the Play button. The title of the video is Angry Hidden Chef Seems to Have a Soft Side. Is that bad or good? “Give me a second. I’m nervous to watch it.” I click Play and gulp. “I’ll talk to you later, Kayla.” I hang up before she can say another word. I lean my head on the desk. My phone rings again, but I don’t answer it, because I know it’s Kayla.
I’m a wreck about Tina, but I need to deal with it after the wedding. She hasn’t called or emailed me about work or the video. Maybe she hasn’t seen it, which I highly doubt. Matt and I haven’t spoken since I saw it either. I’ve been
avoiding his and everyone else’s calls.
I made an excuse I’m too busy this week to deal with anything other than the wedding. I made Joel the contact for the website. Tina’s team did a great job. The website looks better than I expected. It’s up and running, and we’ve already had reservations made through it. The only thing I did was sign off the last payment to Modern Web.
Someone taps on my door. “Come in.”
Joel peeks his head in.
“What’s up?”
He walks up to me. “Open your hand.”
I do as I’m told. He places Tina’s necklace in my hand. I can’t believe it. My head jerks up. “No way. Where did you find it?”
“I found it outside in the beer garden. The sun reflected off it a certain way that grabbed my attention. It was between some of the cracked cobblestones. Unfortunately, the chain is broken, but the pendant is still on it. Should I call to let her know we found it?”
I shake my head. “No. I’ll take care of it. By any chance, do you know a good jeweler around here who can fix this fast?”
He smiles. “I sure do. My sister’s a jeweler, and her store’s in the city.”
“Can we call her right now? I need a huge favor.” He pulls out his phone and taps the screen.
Maybe I have a chance after all.
Chapter 26
Tina
Different forms are sprawled all over my desk. My usual organizational skills have been on strike since last Friday. Thomas needs the one used to approve Gerry’s website yesterday. I’d have to say, even though I feel miserable, the website looks awesome. I’m so proud of my team and myself. We’re going for happy hour tonight to celebrate. I’m not sure if I’ll drink alcohol, since I still feel it in my system from Friday. That was bad.
My hand lies on my collarbone, aching to touch my necklace, but I’ve accepted it’s gone. I’ve been hoping I’d get a call saying someone found it. But nada. Someone probably saw it on the street and took off with it.
My emotions are all over the place. Opening up to my family has helped me move forward in a positive way. I’m inching closer to putting it all behind me now. Crying has never been easier for me. Lisa says it’s healthy and cleansing. Whatever—she’s the therapist. Alexa is contemplating buying stock from the companies that make tissues.
The video on the internet throws another layer into this mess. No one will tell me if Gerry has seen it, and I won’t contact him to find out either.
When I arrived at work on Monday, I pretended nothing had happened over the weekend. That everything was hunky dory. I received an email first thing that morning from Gerry’s assistant manager, stating he’d be filling in for Gerry until the website was finished. Talk about a knife in the stomach. Still, every time the phone rings, my hands shake, thinking it’s Gerry.
I cried to Peggy in a café at lunch and showed her the video. Needless to say, she was shocked. “Stay professional,” she said. “Don’t let it affect work. The video shouldn’t make you so upset.”
She’s been the best since this whole thing started with Gerry and hasn’t mentioned his name once this week.
“Tina?”
I look up from my desk and see only Thomas’s eyes, staring at me over my cube wall. It’s impossible not to laugh.
“Can I talk to you for a second in my office?”
“Sure. I’ll be there in a minute. Do I need to bring anything?”
“Nope. Just yourself.” He walks away whistling. At least he’s in a good mood.
I hope he has another project for me. Any distraction is a good distraction right now. I wouldn’t even care if it was to create a website on hemorrhoid relief.
I do another quick search for the form I’ve been looking for. D’oh! Here it is right in front of my face. Focus, Tina!
I knock on the doorframe. Thomas lifts his head up, chomping on a wad of gum.
“So what’s up? Should I be scared?” I chuckle. I’m glad I can talk to him like this. Over the past weeks, we’ve bonded, as if he were my uncle.
“Close the door and sit down. This won’t take long.” He rocks back and forth in his chair as I take a seat. “You’ve been off this week. I thought you’d be more excited about finalizing your first website. You and your team did a fantastic job. My confidence level in your abilities has risen tremendously.”
I perk up. “Thank you. Did you see how great the restaurant video came out? The one used for reserving tables? Tim did an awesome job. I received an email saying they’ve gotten their first reservations already, and it worked without any glitches.”
“Even with this great news, you’ve been walking around with a fake smile plastered on your face since Monday.”
I push my hair behind my ears. “Sorry. I’m just going through some personal issues. But I’ve never let it affect my work.”
“I know. That’s one of the reasons I asked you to come in here. Because you and your team did such an excellent job, I’m giving each of you a bonus. You’ll receive one thousand dollars, and the other two will get five hundred dollars each.”
My eyes bug out of my head. “Wow. Are you serious?” I lean forward in the chair.
“No, I just wanted to see your reaction. Of course I’m serious.” He laughs.
“Thank you for giving me the chance to manage this project. You’ve made my day and will make Peggy and Tim ecstatic too. You should come for a drink with us. We’re going for happy hour to celebrate,” I babble out of excitement.
“Why don’t you go to Gerry’s restaurant since it’s his website?”
My mood shifts again as he watches me in a peculiar way.
I play it cool. “We want to stay local since we need to work tomorrow. Did you forget it’s only Thursday?” I pinch my lips to the side.
He shakes his head and laughs. “I just thought you might want to spend time with Gerry since the project’s finally over.” He eyes me again. He knows something.
My throat begins to close.
I twirl a lone strand of hair. “Why would I want to spend time with Gerry?” I say nonchalantly.
“Come on, Tina. I saw you two at Burnett’s a couple of weeks ago. I was there with my wife for our wedding anniversary. I thought it’d be better I didn’t let you know I was there.”
I stand up with my stomach in my mouth. “It’s not what you think. We kept everything professional this entire time. We like each other, but I refused to get romantically involved. We weren’t on a date.” I defend us, but I know I’m fooling myself.
“Relax, Tina. I believe you.” He points to the chair. “Sit back down.”
I fall back onto the chair. “It’s so complicated. Remember when I had that allergic reaction at that taste testing?”
He nods as he blows a bubble. “Gerry was the chef, and I had no idea. I also found out he’s connected to my sister’s husband’s best friend. Then he confesses I met him a long time ago, but he didn’t tell me until last Friday. It’s all so intertwined and complicated.” That was a mouthful.
He rocks in his chair. “No shit.”
“I promise nothing happened.”
He holds his hand up. “I said I believe you. It’s quite moral of you to not get involved. But did something else happen?”
I look down at my folded hands. “We had a disagreement and haven’t spoken since. His assistant manager has been our contact this week because Gerry’s preparing and catering the wedding I’m going to on Saturday.” Or it’s because of the video.
“Man. That does sounds complicated. I think you definitely need a drink. It makes me thank God I’m married.” He stands up from his chair, walks around the desk, and sits on the edge. “Is it something you can talk to him about at the wedding, so you aren’t so off kilter when you come in on Monday?”
I shrug my shoulders. “There’s nothing to discuss. I probably won’t even see him because he’ll be busy in the kitchen. It’s unlikely we’ll see each other after the wedding.” It saddens me to think that�
��s completely possible even after all that has happened. My heart and mind have no idea what they want.
He taps on his desk with one hand. “Well, I guess you have it all figured out then.”
Not really, but I’m not going to tell him that. He already knows too much.
I relax in my chair. “Since this project is finished, will I get another one?”
“There are a bunch of projects being reviewed right now. I have no idea if we’ll get them. I know at least two are close to being approved.
I take it back. Please nothing about hemorrhoids.
“One is to revamp a tourist website on California. The other is an online dating service.”
Phew! No hemorrhoids involved.
“I’d love the California one.” At least I’d be able to travel vicariously through a website. I wish I had the nerve to ask about the rumor of a California office opening up.
“We should know soon, but in the meantime, finish up the loose ends of Gerry’s website. Once you’re finished, I’ll add you to a couple of teams to assist them. Something tells me they’ll learn a thing or two from you.”
“You’re just full of compliments. I’ll be walking out of this office on cloud nine. I think a couple of drinks are in full order. Please come with us.” I flash a happy, honest smile.
“There’s that smile.” He pierces his lips. “You know what? I think I’ll come along for one drink after all.”
“Great. I’m sure the others will be happy, especially after I tell them about their bonuses.” I reach for the office door in a better mood. “I’ll see you later then.”
“Tina, I know this is none of my business, so I’ll only say it once. But what I saw at Burnett’s wasn’t just a friendly dinner. It was much more than that. I saw it the instant you both entered the restaurant. Any stranger would notice.” He throws a paper ball into the garbage can. “That video shows it too,” he calmly says as he looks for something on his shelf as if he hadn’t said it.
I freeze in his doorway. “Um. Okay.” I walk away feeling like somebody just turned the light on.
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