Free Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck Page A

Linus, who both tried to help him sustain Ami’s with unsecured monies. When he filed for bankruptcy, they were left out.
    Allison started to speak, then pinched her lips together, smoothing her hand over the table, her eyes on Luke. “What do you say?”
    â€œI’ll think about it.” He’d learned from Ami’s that the “fire, ready, aim” process didn’t really work all that well. And he didn’t have anything discernable on what God wanted for him.
    â€œIn the meantime”—Allison slid out of the booth and flipped Luke her card—“go watch the YouTube clip. See if that doesn’t entice you. If you’re the man I think you are, you’ll do the show. I’ll be expecting your call.”
    â€œA cohost? Why? This is the Dining with Joy show, Allison. Not Joy and Friends or Joy and Luke .” Joy paced the small space between her desk and the credenza. “What happened to not making any changes to the show?”
    â€œI wasn’t until you kissed Luke.”
    â€œA kiss? You’re gambling our brand, our success, on this wild idea of a cohost based on a kiss?”
    â€œHave you seen YouTube? We’re at nearly half a million hits in three days. It’s been picked up by E! and TruReality is already running it as a teaser for the show.”
    Joy folded herself into her chair. “So you want to marry me and the show to Luke.” This didn’t make sense.
    â€œYou sound more panicked than my ex when I told him I might like to get married someday.” A mixture of amusement and determination threaded Allison’s tone. “I offered Luke a one-year option. If it doesn’t work, he’s out.” Allison rose from her chair and paced toward the window. “I didn’t say anything, Joy, but TruReality demands I take a good concept and push it to greatness, then toward the spectacular, and finally to the sublime ridiculous. The formula is their hallmark. It worked for them and it will work for us.”
    â€œFine. I love it. But we can do all of that without a cohost. Without Luke. What is he going to do? I do the comedy and cooking. Sharon develops the recipes, does the show prep. I won’t let you replace her for Luke.”
    â€œSharon will be more critical than ever because we’ll have two very different cooks presenting food. Luke will work with Sharon to bring his culinary point of view. You’ll work with her to enhance yours. It’s a win-win.”
    Wait, wait, wait. A crazy notion nudged Joy’s thoughts. Hello, my way out, where have you been? “You know, Allison, we could really play to my strengths and Luke’s, if he joins the show. Let me do all the comedy and Luke do all the cooking.”
    â€œNo. You’re still the star, Joy.” Allison pointed at Joy, jabbing the air with her finger. “You’re our golden girl. I’m not replacing you with Luke, so don’t worry.”
    â€œWorry? Me?” Sigh. Joy rocked back in her chair. “Never.” But really, she should just flat out tell Allison there wouldn’t be any more kissing. In the quiet moments, Joy shuddered at the memory of kissing Luke, so brash and brazen. What must he think of her? “Listen, Allison—”
    Allison’s ringing phone broke up the conversation. “Hold that thought, Joy, it’s Dan, vice president of programming.” She raised the phone to her ear. “He’s calling to see if we have Luke. Dan, good morning.” Allison tipped her head to the side, her gaze drawing out Joy’s assent.
    â€œIt’s your show.” From the moment Allison presented the plan of bringing on Luke, Joy understood the conversation was merely a courtesy. In the end, Allison would do what she wanted to do.
    â€œDan, we’re good to go. Luke’s agreed.”
    The door clicked behind Allison, and Joy stood by the window. Tourists strolled leisurely