Chapter 10

• Brandon's plan worked perfectly. Like he said, we gave the press something to chew on. Our pictures are splashed all over magazines and people actually believe that there is love or at least between us. I mean, who wouldn't? I watched the video too, and what I saw left me embarrassed. Brandon and I looked like a couple head over heels in love, and me? The video showed my knees buckling after the kiss, and Brandon's arm steadying me. I was looking up at him like a lovesick puppy! Lovesick? I mean, I don't even like the man!
• For several days after, Brandon and I continue to avoid each other. Of course, I know why he's been keeping his distance. He thought that the kiss might have stirred up emotions in me that are best left unstirred. But I'm not a child. I don't need someone to make assumptions about what I feel and what I do not. Whatever reaction I had that day was an in the moment thing. I could never fall in love with Brandon.
• As the days go by, I feel my anger continue to build. Brandon is edgy around me, and he refuses to talk to me when we are together in the same place. Of course, the chairwoman notices, but there's very little that even she can do this time. I throw myself into working at Giancarlo. By my second week as CEO, I have introduced two new courses to the menu. I have also included chocolate cake dessert to our menu. What is a restaurant without a chocolate cake dessert?