“Sounds good. Thanks for celebrating with me.”
She waved her key in front of her door. “Now get some sleep, or I’ll be in trouble.”
“Yes, ma’am. Wouldn’t want that to happen.” He closed the door behind him and took out the postcards from the small paper sack. It had seemed like such a good idea when he’d asked her to stop. Now, it seemed kind of cheesy. She’d gotten him an I New York pen and magnet too. That was sweet.
He laid the postcards on the nightstand and took a shower to try to relax so he might get some sleep. The dinner had been amazing. He hadn’t had a meal that good that he hadn’t had a hand in cooking in a very long time.
When he got out of the shower, he towel-dried his hair and put on a pair of sweatpants, then flipped on the television to the permitted on-demand channel and stretched out on the bed. He picked out the postcard with the New York skyline at night, then turned it over and began to write.
Dear Kelly,
Seeing you tonight was wonderful.
He held his pen over the card. He wanted to write, wish you were here, but somehow that didn’t seem appropriate with their past.
Instead he wrote,
New York was even more amazing with you in it.
Hope to see you again soon.
Andrew
He laid the card on the bedside table, unsure if he’d actually ask Lori to mail it or not. Then he turned off the light, and the television, and lay back onto the pillow. A few minutes later, he turned on the light and reached for the postcard and pen. He inserted the word “very” between again and soon.
That was more like it. He put a stamp on it and sat it on the nightstand.
He drifted off to sleep.
“Up and at it, Andrew.” For a second, he was back home in Bailey’s Fork on a school morning, then he realized where he was and that it was Lori from the show pounding on his door.
“Yes?”
“It’s time to get up. You’ve got forty-five minutes.”
“Thanks.”
“Need a snooze alarm knock?”
He hopped out of bed and opened the door. “No, thanks. I’m getting up.”
“Here’s your call sheet for the day in case you want something to read while you’re dosing caffeine.” She handed him the printout. “I’ll knock when they’re here to get us.”
“Thanks.” He let the door close behind him and headed for the coffee pot.
He made two cups of coffee and then pulled back the curtains. A light snow had already begun. He probably should’ve packed warmer clothes, though. Being surrounded by the three seas, Paris rarely got more than a dusting, and anything that fell melted immediately. It was pretty much the same back in Bailey’s Fork, except for maybe once a year. He did remember once having a fairly significant snowfall in France, and just like back in North Carolina, it had been utter chaos.
The call sheet itinerary showed his scheduled arrival, hair and makeup, and first lighting checks. The actual show wouldn’t begin filming for hours after they arrived. It took a lot of people and a lot of time to put together a short television program.
He tossed the call sheet on the nightstand and pulled his black pants out of the drawer. They hadn’t fared too well on the trip, so he pressed them before putting them on. A black T-shirt was all he’d need under his chef’s coat. It wasn’t like he’d really be walking around outside anyway. They rushed him in and out of every building.
Three quick knocks came at his door.
“Coming.” It felt weird to not have his phone or keys to keep track of. He tucked his room key into his wallet and joined Lori outside.
“Ready for round two?”
“More than ready.”
They went downstairs and got in the car.
“Where’s the call sheet?” Lori asked.
“I left it on my nightstand. I’m sorry. Do we need it?”
“Give me your key. I’ll run up and get it.” She made a dash for the elevator.
A few minutes later, she jumped back into the limo. “Let’s go,” she said, and the driver took off.
Round two went much like round one except that it seemed to take longer to finally get to the actual challenge. Between long periods of sitting and waiting, they shot a few stills and did some interview questions.
He was impatient, probably because he was tired. If he hadn’t stayed out so late after that heavy meal last night, he might be in better sorts today. But it was too late to change that. It is what it is.
Finally they were called to their kitchens, and hair and makeup did one last sweep before they were put back on their mark for the opening.
He eyed cabinet two.
What did they have up their sleeve today?
Andrew closed his eyes and inhaled. He had an excellent sense of smell, and whatever was in that cabinet had a flowery aroma.
Martin’s voice boomed over the speakers. Andrew’s mind wandered as Martin went through the setup for the show and ended with the explanation of the ingredients in the cabinet behind each chef, along with the reminder that they were expected to use every item in the basket.
“Before we get started with round two, this begins a double elimination. That means a chef has to lose two rounds to be eliminated. So no one will go home tonight. Hopefully that takes a little bit of pressure off our contestants.”
Andrew liked the sound of that. No matter what, he’d be in for a third round. If he made it through with a win this round, he was practically guaranteed to be in the final two.
“Today’s theme is Puppy Love and Paper Roses for a kid’s Valentine’s Day party.”
Andrew’s mind went blank. Kid’s party? What does that even mean? Puppy love? Paper Roses? Wasn’t that a Marie Osmond song from eons ago? Don’t overthink it.
“Alright, chefs, open your cabinets. Inside you’ve got a tin of fresh
