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We both broke out in laughter, knowing my dad gave us a silly answer to her silly question. From that day forward, we were inseparable. But who could have ever predicted that years later we would be here, side by side, coming to terms with my accidental pregnancy?
Naomi and I still sit in silence, but I feel compelled to express my greatest concern about telling Randy the news.
“I’m so rooted in this small town,” I begin hesitantly. “And Randy… well, he’s accustomed to the big city life. I don’t want to make him feel like he has to give up his dreams because of this situation.”
Naomi’s thoughtful “hmm” fills the silence as she contemplates her next words. It’s one of the many things I cherish about her; she never rushes to judgment or advice, making her destined to be an outstanding lawyer.
“Do you have any idea how far along you are?” she finally asks.
The question sends my mind spiraling back to that unforgettable night with Randy, a memory that now seems shrouded in a dream-like haze. Despite the clarity of that night fading, the significance of it doesn’t.
“I’m not sure,” I reply, although deep down, I know that’s not entirely true. Before that night, Randy and I were all about urgency and fiery passion. But that night was different; it was as if we allowed ourselves to truly feel, to savor each other in a way we never had before. I feel like if destiny had a moment, it had to have been then.
Naomi probes further. “And you haven’t spoken to him since he left?”
Curled up on my sofa, I wrap my arms around my knees, seeking solace in the small comfort it provides. “No,” I admit with a heavy heart.
Naomi mirrors my sadness with a sympathetic downturn of her lips. Then she quickly changes her expression to ask, “Did you catch tonight’s episode of Head Chef Total Domination?”
I shake my head and then gesture toward the TV. “He’s in there, though,” I say. “He’s in my DVR.”
“Okay then.” Naomi reaches for the remote. “Let’s watch Randy. Maybe seeing him will remind you that you’re going to be okay.”
Her suggestion sparks hope within me, yet I pause, reaching out to gently touch her leg. “Wait just a moment.”
Naomi halts as she looks at me, waiting for me to speak.
Resolved to reveal the truth, especially now that my unexpected pregnancy has left me with little to lose, I recount to Naomi the entirety of my last night with Randy. I share the depth of our connection, my hopeful anticipation for a blossoming relationship, and the unfortunate timing of missing his crucial phone call the next day. I tell her that he promised to call me back when he could, but that call never came.
“And you couldn’t get in touch with him?” Naomi asks, her expression intensely curious.
I can only respond with a shake of my head, feeling the weight of missed opportunities.
Naomi’s lips twist as she considers the possibilities. “Maybe he’s on a closed set,” she muses.
“What’s a closed set?” My knowledge of TV production lingo is scant, having only recently dipped my toes into the world through my segment on my parents’ podcast.
She explains the restrictions often placed on communication to and from contestants on shows to prevent spoilers or influence. “The show doesn’t want to risk any leaks,” she elaborates.
Her explanation makes me hopeful that Randy isn’t just ignoring me because he’s put me and our town in his rearview mirror. With my newfound optimism, I grasp onto that possibility.
“That has to be it,” I claim, allowing myself a genuine smile for the first time in what feels like an eternity.
“I think that’s a promising assumption to make,” Naomi says, smiling along with me. “And Gina?”
I perk up. “Yes?”
She leans in, the air thick with anticipation. “You could’ve told me, you know.”
I nod, feeling a bit sheepish. “I know. Keeping it to myself was more about me than you. I’ve never been in love before.”
Naomi’s eyes widen, a mix of surprise and delight on her face. “Ooh, love? That’s a word I’ve never heard you use about anyone.”
I laugh and give her knee a playful tap. “Just play the episode already.”
After a few clicks on the remote, the screen comes to life with the opening scenes of Head Chef Total Domination pulling us into the excitement of the competition.
As the show begins, the judges are introduced one by one. There are three of them, with Chef Robbie Price taking the lead. He sets the stage by telling the audience that they’re about to witness some of the world’s finest chefs in action. My excitement skyrockets when Chef Randy Thorn is the first to be introduced. With a confident curl of his arm and a flex of his muscles, he positions himself as the chef to watch.
