AllFreeNovel
Share Us
For a moment, I mull over what Tori has said. She’s my friend, but she wouldn’t blow smoke up my ass. She’s honest and genuine. She wouldn’t lie to me and tell me I’m good at something when I really suck at it.
So maybe I need to take what she’s saying to heart.
Maybe she’s right. Maybe I should start taking my skills as a cook more seriously.
“Okay, let’s say I want to take this sandwich thing more seriously, like you suggested. I’d be open to doing that,” I say. “I just don’t know where to start.”
She smiles. “Can I make a suggestion?”
“Sure.”
She holds up her phone. “Social media.”
I immediately shake my head. “No way. That’s Gage’s territory, remember? He’s a cooking star on TikTok. I don’t want to cross his turf.”
Tori is shaking her head before I even finish speaking.
“I don’t mean TikTok. I think Instagram would be better,” she says.
“Really? Do people even want to watch food content on Instagram?”
She blinks at me. “Are you kidding me? You’re a handsome guy who cooks. People would eat that up, no question.”
I laugh.
“And there are ways to differentiate yourself from Gage if you’re worried about it,” she says. “Go the simple route. Each sandwich is its own reel. No music, no talking. The only sound will be whatever cooking sounds the camera picks up. Chopping, slicing, mixing, stirring. That’ll play into the ASMR thing too. So you’ll have just a few short video clips of the sandwich ingredients, then quick cuts of you making the sandwich, and a final shot of you taking a big bite at the end. The whole reel would be, like, fifteen to twenty seconds max.”
I think about what Tori’s suggested. That sounds simple enough. It might actually work.
I smack my hand on the counter. “Okay, let’s give it a shot.”
Chapter 10
Tori
Two hours later, I’ve filmed Tyler whipping up five different kinds of sandwiches.
I’ve also helped him create an Instagram profile, @thesandwichguy
We stand side by side in my kitchen as we edit reels of him making sandwiches on my phone.
Tyler chuckles while looking at his phone. “The Sandwich Guy. That’s so simple, it’s genius.”
“The past couple of years managing Sweet Cheeks and watching us blow up on social media has taught me a thing or two,” I say.
Tyler flashes that crooked grin I love so much. “Well, thanks for using your genius to help me. I owe you.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
I think about how sweet and thoughtful it was for him to drop off sandwiches to me earlier today…how much he cares about me to take the time and energy to check on me and make sure that I’m eating enough.
Tingles flash across my skin. That’s such a boyfriend thing to do.
But then I remind myself that he’s not my boyfriend. He’s my fake boyfriend, and only when we’re in front of his family.
Right now, we’re just friends. He was caring for me like a good friend would. I shouldn’t read more into it.
I focus back on Tyler as he finishes saving the last reel.
