The Wrong Girl by Zoe Foster Read Free Book Online Page A

you.’
    Lily’s eyes moved up to meet his, her chin still down in defiance. Why didn’t she deserve a handshake?
    â€˜Yes, Lily. Nice to meet you too.’ She knew she sounded pissed off, and half-hated herself for it, but she wanted him to know she wasn’t some pushover who would forgive his rudeness just because she had ovaries.
    â€˜Thanks,’ he said. ‘I look forward to working with you.’
    â€˜Well! Now that we’re all “besties”’ – Eliza made the bunny ears as she spoke – ‘let’s get cooking!’ More tinkly laughter. Lily sighed quietly and opened up her notebook.
    An hour later, Sasha’s PA interrupted the meeting to remind her of an appointment. ‘It’s going to be a magnificent year, I can just feel it,’ Sasha said before leaving.
    â€˜O
kay
then,’ Eliza said, smiling widely. ‘Lily will email everyone the updated schedule this afternoon, and we’ll regroup tomorrow for rehearsal, okay? This segment is going be just
awesome
, you guys. I know it.’ She stood up, straightening her now creased, too-tight pants, and seemed disappointed that Jack didn’t immediately mirror her move so they could walk and talk their way down the hall together. But Jack was busy writing down note upon note. Lily was annoyed to realise she was impressed; most of the chefs she’d dealt with were either extremely experienced and borderline savant-like in their ability to ‘get’ what they would be doing on set, or so blisteringly arrogant they made it up as they went, causing hell for her and Dale, not to mention the camera and floor crew.
    Sensing Jack would be a while, Eliza clutched her notebook to her chest and began scrolling down her BlackBerry fast and with importance, making her move towards the door at the rate of an injured sloth. Getting nothing after another minute, she gave up and walked out of the room. Well,
someone
had a crush, Lily thought, smiling. She didn’t blame her, her boyfriend Kirk was about as charming as a mosquito, and equally as annoying.
    Dale and Lily finished their notes and stood up. Dale scurried out of the room immediately, as though there were a fire alarm that only he could hear, leaving just Lily to pack up her many press releases and papers, and Jack scribbling away like a crazed fool.
    Suddenly, Jack looked up, directly at Lily, straight into her eyes.
    â€˜I stole your kettle, didn’t I.’ It wasn’t a question. He looked at her intently, as though studying her.
    Lily nodded. It was probably too much to openly scowl, she thought. ‘Yeah. Twice actually.’
    He smiled ever so faintly.
    â€˜Sorry. The one in the test kitchen is broken and no one’s replaced it yet. I’m just going to bring my one from home tomorrow.’
    â€˜You need to talk to Lionel. He’s the one who gets stuff done around here. Small guy, beer gut, Sydney Swans hat, inappropriate . . . You’ll see him around.’
    Jack continued to peer up at Lily, his head cocked to one side. Another small smile – amused? thoughtful? – crossed his face. It was disconcerting, and Lily wanted to get out of his tractor beam. Not because he was disarmingly good-looking and his quizzical staring made him even more handsome, but because Lily had work to do.
    â€˜So, do you cook, Lily?’
    â€˜Not even nearly,’ she said honestly.
    â€˜But you enjoy doing the cooking segment? Wouldn’t you need to cook to produce a cooking segment?’
    â€˜Not at all. I love
food
, though, and I love my segment. Sleazy, self-important chefs aside.’ As she spoke she realised how offensive it was, but it was too late.
    His face relaxed and he broke into a chuckle. It was ridiculous: the way his eyes crinkled at the edges, and that perfect smile pushed into his cheeks, causing a couple of lines either side . . . She wondered how old he was;