“I was trying to save my friend.”
“Exactly. Lesser men would’ve just stood by. Not you. And…”
“And?”
“Let’s just say, you’re pretty easy on the eyes. In a professional sense, of course, since I’m happily married.”
I chuckle. “Thanks for the compliment.”
“Seriously, in my world, many would say you’re hot.”
“Well, shoot. Stop it right there, lil’ lady, you’re going to make me blush.”
“I doubt a rugged guy like you can blush.”
She’s right.
“There you go again, layering it on.”
“I’m serious. Women will lose their effing minds over you.”
“I’m flattered, but I don’t want to lead anyone on.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m seeing someone. In fact, she’s one of yours.”
“She’s a senior editor?”
“No, she’s a New Yorker.”
“She lives in Summerville?”
“Yes, ma’am. She’s a chef. She won a Food Network competition not long ago. That’s how she ended up down here. She’s only been in town for two and a half months.”
“Is she working in Summerville now?”
“She works at Riley Carrington’s Happy Belly Eatery.”
“Riley Carrington? Why have I heard that name before?”
“Riley’s a big name. She has that popular food site and she’s done lots of guest appearances on Food Network. She has her own show now. She’s from around here. I should say she’s from LA, but she’s been living down here for a while now.”
“Wait a minute. Are you telling me you’re dating a chef from New York?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. She’s talented, too. Her name is Carina Callahan. Her family even have restaurants in New York.”
“Interesting.”
Seconds tick away, and Molly doesn’t say a thing.
“Hello? Molly, you still there?”
“I am. I’m thinking. I called because we wanted to fly you up to New York City––all expenses paid––for a full photo shoot and full story. What you just shared flips this story on its head. If your girlfriend is a New Yorker, and a chef, and a winner of the Food Network competition… we have a lot to chew on.”
“Is that industry talk or something?”
She lets out a boisterous laugh. “What I mean is we have an even bigger story than we ever imagined. I’d like to present this to our editor-in-chief and managing editor. This is exactly the essence of the story we wanted to run,‘BIG CITY GIRL LASSOS HUNKY COWBOY’. Instead of it being a work of fiction, it’s happening in real life. It’s perfect.”
