And He Cooks Too Read Free Page A

benefit in joining the outfit.
    She reached for her remote to end the program and any further consideration of becoming part of And He Cooks Too . Then the credits ran. Leonie McCutcheon, executive producer. Could it be the same sought-after caterer she’d heard so much about? It had to be. That name was too distinct for there to be more than one. She’d never met the woman. Only heard of her by reputation from fellow culinary students and various patrons.
    Catering. Her mother hadn’t taken her seriously when she’d mentioned it as a possible new career direction. Realistically, it probably wasn’t such a great idea, since she wasn’t equipped financially to start her own business. But, if she could team up with an established entity, that was different. In fact, it was reason enough to change her mind about that job in order to make the connection. Why not give it a couple months—that’s all the time she could spare in her grand plan—and see what she could work out with the caterer?
    She retrieved the business card from the garbage can. “Okay, Nick Coltrane. It’s your lucky day.”
    She got him on the third ring. “Is that offer to work on your show still open?”
    Pause on the other end. “Sure is. Does this mean you’re interested?”
    “If we can work out a deal.”
    “This could be exactly what you need to bolster your career.”
    “It can’t hurt your show either with one more chef on board.”
    “Yeah, uh, that. Remember, this a production assistant job. Not a chef’s job. In fact, until folks get to know you, it would be better if we kept that detail just between us.”
    “Excuse me?” Was that a small red flag going up?
    “You okay with that?”
    “Absolutely not! That’s what I do. Who I am.” She’d raised her voice. Better watch that. She didn’t have the job yet.
    “Here’s the thing. The executive producer is very budget-conscious. Even if we’re paying you as a PA, we don’t want her to get nervous.”
    “Leonie McCutcheon doesn’t know I’ve been hired?”
    “You’ve done some research since we met. Good sign. But you, uh, won’t be reporting to Leonie. Not directly, anyhow. Jasper Walters, the supervising producer and director, will be your boss. Show up next Friday.”
    “Oh.” She’d hoped for a closer relationship with the caterer. “When can I see the contract?”
    “Only the on-air talent—me—has a contract.”
    Was that typical? Though this low-paying job was only temporary, until she’d regained her cred with the top restaurants in town, she needed to safeguard her continued employment. “It’s just that, well, you heard me with my former boss. Promises were made and then broken. That can’t happen again.”
    “Sorry. No promises.”
    “Except a job. And television experience.”
    “Well, yeah.”
    “What about hours and pay?”
    “Probably should have gone into those immediately.” He laid those out for her. “Doable?”
    Doable? Yes. Desperate circumstances called for desperate actions. Desirable? God no. “The pay leaves a lot to be desired, but I knew that. However, the hours are shorter than I’m used to. And, it won’t be forever.”
    Another pause. “You do plan to stick around awhile?”
    “Awhile.” No need to let him know her plans.
    “How long?”
    “No specific time period. I thought I’d see how things worked out first. I’ve built up a small rainy day fund that will support my reduced salary but not forever.”
    “You know, that promise thing goes both ways. We need to know we can depend on you too.”
    “Thought you said there were no promises,” she reminded him. “If a great offer from some restaurant comes along, I’m likely to accept.”
    “Right. Got it. But give us some lead time.”
    Probably not such a bad idea, since it wouldn’t help her career to repeat history. She clicked off without giving him a chance to reply.

Chapter Two
    Reese arrived at the studio the following Tuesday, a half hour earlier