Vann sat back in his chair. “That comment was out of context. The producers try to provoke the contestants to talk shit on each other, and sometimes we said stuff we didn’t mean. I said a lot of nice things too. Most of those never made it onto the show.”
The staring contest that ensued threatened to end in an argument or passionate kissing. GiGi couldn’t decide which, but she didn’t have to decide, as their sandwiches arrived to break the tension.
“Fair enough,” she sighed. “Let’s eat. I’m always less crabby after I eat.”
Vann laughed. “Me too.”
After they’d eaten, and her mood had improved markedly, Vann did what GiGi had suspected all along he had come to do.
“Yeah, actually. I came here also to ask you on a date.”
A date. How long had it been since she’d been on a proper date? She was a practical person and wasn’t about to turn down a free meal or an official request. If he wanted a date, then she did, too.
“Sunday. We close after brunch. My days off are Monday and Tuesday, in case you’ve forgotten what restaurant workers’ schedules are like,” she said with a wink.
Vann hooded his eyes. He was pleased with himself and turned on. She could practically smell it. “I’ll pick you up Sunday afternoon after the brunch rush. And wear something sexy. I want you out of those work clothes,” he said, scanning her crew shoes, black pants, and ratty chef coat.
GiGi replied, “I don’t own anything sexy, so I’ll just have to show up naked under a trench coat if that’s all right with you.”
“Suits me fine. I’ll supply the whipped cream.”
“Better be homemade and made with love, TV Man.”
GiGi had no time to go shopping between Friday and Sunday, so Rosemary came to GiGi’s Cafe Sunday afternoon with an armload of garment bags and dragged her from the kitchen into her private office.
Rosemary unzipped one bag, holding up a light blue body-contouring dress with spaghetti straps. The way it hung on the hanger, it looked more like a slip than a full garment.
“It’s awfully revealing,” GiGi said.
“GiGi, it covers all the important bits. Plus, I have a feeling that dress ain’t staying on your body for long.” Rosemary shot GiGi a wicked smile.
“Rosie! You are nothing but trouble!” GiGi said, feigning scandal.
“Says you and everybody’s mama between here and Shreveport. Now put it on and let’s see what we got,” Rosemary said. “I am over-the-moon excited for you to be going on a date, let alone with a celebrity!”
The dress hugged her curves like nothing else she could ever remember wearing. Not that she’d worn anything more flattering than a ratty chef’s uniform in years. She seldom splurged on herself. Cute dresses, shoes, makeovers, and traveling were all things that would come with time. Her life was all about building her business and any extra money went right into the restaurant.
But then again, maybe she deserved a treat now and then. Wearing one of Rosemary’s expensive designer dresses, GiGi felt … different. Feminine. Looking down and noticing how it clung to her curves, she felt — dare she admit it — sexy, even.
Rosemary’s eyes gleamed when she took in the vision of her cousin. “Your tits fill that thing out way better than mine ever did. It’s yours.”
GiGi protested. “I wouldn’t even know how to wash this thing,” she said, smoothing her hands down and over her hips, unable to keep from smiling at the way the dress hugged her there.
Rosemary chortled. “No, honey. It’s dry clean only. Listen, don’t even worry about it; it’s not gonna matter. I guarantee that blonde giant of yours is going to destroy that dress by the end of the night.
“Rosie!” GiGi shrieked, blushing deeply.
“I’m serious,” Rosemary insisted. “And if he doesn’t, I’ll call the police because that would be a high crime. Now sit down and let me do your eye makeup.”
GiGi rolled her eyes but did as instructed. Rosemary continued to cluck at her as she made over GiGi’s face with a brow pencil, shadow, eyeliner, and mascara.
“Girl, will you hold still, I’m ‘bout to stab you in the eyeball with this thing.”
“Sorry, Rosie,” GiGi said.
“So, listen,” Rosemary said, “There are things you need to know about Vann.”
GiGi chuckled. “Doesn’t everyone in the world already know everything about him? His re-runs are never not showing on the Foodie Network.”
“Well, it’s personal stuff. It’s not a big deal, and he should tell you himself. He’s not a one-night stand kind of guy. He’s a lot like my Ash.”
GiGi blinked. “Who is having a one-night stand? It’s our first date, we barely know each other, so why not let things unfold naturally?”
Rosemary looked concerned. “I just don’t want you to get the wrong idea. If he tries to bed you, it’s a big deal. He’s one of the wolfpack, you know.”
“I’m aware of that. I can’t imagine what could be left to hide between either of us. Sex is a huge deal for me, too. Which is why it’s not happening tonight, no matter the powers wielded by this almighty dress of yours. What you and Ash have is different. You were made for each other; a whirlwind romance suits the two of you. I just want to go out and have some fun, get to know a person.”
Rosemary rested a hand on her hip and stepped back. “Are you telling me that Ash and I barely know each other?”
GiGi realized what she’d said. “No, that’s not what I meant. Oh, God. I’m sorry. I just meant I’m a more careful person.”
“Keep digging, sister,” Rosemary said, returning to her duties of penciling in a perfect eyebrow on GiGi.
“I should stop talking,” GiGi said, cringing.
Rosemary shook her head like she was blowing off the accidental string of
