The Wedding Gift

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

"I don't know about that."

"You are," Andrew assured her. "And you're a natural in the kitchen, too."

Rick got right to the point. "We still have a few gaps in our schedule, and we'd like you to consider putting your unique spin and personality into a new show."

Julie took a moment to translate his TV-speak. "You want to work with me for more than just a cook-off?"

"Yes, and we're hoping you'll see what a great opportunity this is for you to increase your exposure, get some great ratings, and maybe move on from there to other shows, or even opening another restaurant. The same things everyone who appears on this channel wants."

He was right. Anyone who cooked for a living would be leaping at the chance to have their own cooking show-except that Julie had tried for perfect before...and she wasn't sure whether she was ready for that kind of pressure again.

"What exactly would be involved?"

"A few weeks of taping. We like to record multiple episodes each day to minimize the disruption to our performers' busy lives."

Beside her, Andrew snorted. "And to keep costs down, Rick. Let's not forget that part."

"And that, too" the producer said unashamedly. "Then you'd be involved with a bit of promotion and possibly some spin-off things."

"It's a lot while it's going on," Andrew said, "but he's right. It could be a great opportunity for you. It's just a question of what you want, Julie."

Which begged the question: what did she want?

One answer to that was obvious. She wanted Andrew.

Yet, he of all people would be able to work around her TV schedule, so that wouldn't stop her. So what was it that was making her back off even as she recognized what a great opportunity it could be? It wasn't that fear of taking a risk again, was it?

She smiled as she realized her reluctance stemmed from something else entirely.

At the moment, working on the food truck, she was free. She could do what she liked, she had a boss who let her work her way, and she had customers who loved what she did.

She was happy.

Did she really want to trade that for a life of being told where to stand and what to say, just because it was what other people thought she ought to want? She could see the opportunity it represented, and she might very well take it, but not if it was going to mess with that freedom.

"So, what do you say?" Rick pushed. "If it's the money, then I can assure you-"

"Can I get back to you?" Julie asked, cutting him off. "This is all very quick and I want to make sure that I can fit it all in the way I want...if I agree to do it, that is."

The producer's smile froze ever so slightly. "Sure, just don't take too long thinking about it. We might not wait, you know."

Andrew shook his head. "Yes, you will, and you know it, Rick. Julie's worth waiting for."

The producer drifted off and Andrew took Julie's hand in his, twining their fingers together gently. It was such a simple gesture but, standing together in the middle of all those people enjoying themselves, it made her feel as though they were the only people in the world.

He leaned close to her, which only reinforced the effect. "Whatever you decide to do, we'll do it together," he promised.

"I know," she said, and then, "I wish your family had been here for you today. I know being with me isn't the same as having your real family around, but-"

Andrew silenced her with another kiss. "No. It's better. Because with you, I know that you aren't here because of some halfhearted sense of duty. You're with me because you want to be. I thought I was the one giving my brother a gift by helping put the wedding menu together. Little did I know I was the one getting the best wedding gift of all. You."

Their lips touched again, a sweet kiss of true love. "Of course," he said softly against her mouth, "being family means you get invited to family weddings. Will you come with me? Something tells me I'm going to need the backup."

Julie hugged him tightly to her. "I'd love to."

He beamed at her before saying, "The only problem left is that I've still got to figure out what we're going to do for the catering." He shook his head. "Because I am not cooking at my brother's wedding."

"Don't worry. You won't have to. I've got a plan." Julie smiled up at the man she loved. "You know how I'm so gung-ho about food trucks?"

Andrew smiled back as he quickly caught on. "What a great idea. There are some really great ones in the city." He pressed a soft kiss to her lips, then said, "Why don't the two of us get out of here and start doing some delicious research?"