“You must be my cousin Brenna’s kindred spirit.”
“I like her already.” I smile. “Brenna and I see eye to eye?”
“You do. Brenna felt I was allowingla famiglia—the family—to push me into something I didn’t want. Brenna is from Dad’s Irish American side, but she calls usla famigliabecause there are so many of us Callahans, it’s like a clan.”
“It’s something I can’t even relate to.”
“It’s a great thing to be able to rely on a large family, but it can be a crutch.”
“In what sense?”
“Brenna moved to LA with her actor husband years ago to escapela famiglia’smeddling. A few weeks after my sham of a wedding, she started campaigning. She insisted I needed to get the hell out of New York. She made some calls on my behalf. She’s a kickass sommelier—wine steward—at Spago restaurant, so she’s well connected. She opened her home to me. To my parents’ despair, I packed and moved to LA. Mom was worried, I’d end up floundering around, without a purpose. But I didn’t. I found myself. Without the distance I wouldn’t be this independent. I’d still be my parents’ baby girl. With my cousin’s support, I finished my culinary degree and got a decent job.”
“And LA is where you met Riley.”
“That’s right.”
“You said you’d only been with one boyfriend. You met him in LA?”
She nods. “The first year and a half was all about adjusting to life on the West Coast, school, and my job as a chef at the Beverly Hills Hotel’s Polo Lounge. I had just started dating my ex when my boss suggested I enter a Food Network competition. I wasn’t sure about it, but she wouldn’t budge. I gave in, not thinking twice I’d get selected.”
“Was your ex a chef?”
“He was,” she says. “He always had a disdain for these types of competitions, stating any chef worth his or her apron would never stoop that low. When I told him my boss felt I had a good chance because of my creative sandwiches, all of a sudden, he decided to participate. During the four-month wait time, he kept repeating it was all a joke, and neither of us would get selected. I made it on the short list. When I told him, he broke thingsoff. It’s inconceivable for him to be with a woman who’s more successful than he is.”
“Donkey’s balls.” I sneer.
“Oh my God, that’s hilarious.” She laughs.
“If you can’t stand by your woman, you don’t deserve to be called a man.”
“I swear if this ranch hand gig doesn’t work out, you should definitely consider becoming a poet.”
“Your life story is giving me a whole lot of material.”
“Don’t I know it.”
“I assume your ex was your first?”
“He was. I…”
“You can share anything with me, Carina.”
“I had nothing to gage in terms of prior experience, but I always felt things were tame with him.” She looks up at me with doe eyes, reaching out for my thigh and caressing it. “Last night, you proved me right.”
And if I don’t just grin at her with pride.
Chapter 16
Rhett
The moon is illuminated and hangs high in the sky. The several thousand of stars shining bright alongside it create a spectacular picture.
With our legs dangling off Emmylou’s tailgate and the view of the nighttime skyline looming before us, Carina drops her head against my arm. I kiss it with tenderness. It’s so quiet all around us expect for the chirping of crickets. It’s still warm, but the breeze cools things off.
Another perfect evenin’ in my neck of the woods.
“I can’t believe you get to enjoy this every single night.” Her voice breaks the silence.
