Bitter Truth (Hawthorne Vines #1)

Scrolling through my contacts, I find Ash’s number and give him a call.

He, of course, answers on the first ring.

“Wes!”

My thoughts about Mom disappear momentarily at the sound of my brother’s voice, at the smile I can hear through the phone.

“Hey, Ash. How are ya?”

“Doing real good,” he tells me. “Really good. How about you?”

I bob my head even though he can’t see me, my fingers fiddling idly with an empty straw wrapper I found in my pocket a few minutes ago.

“Doing good, too. I’m back in California.”

There’s a pause on the other end, and I can tell I’ve surprised him.

When I left San Francisco seven years ago, I’d made it clear to my brother that it was unlikely I’d be back. He had finally turned eighteen and was heading off to college, and I was free to finally let go of some of the responsibility I always carried, since our mom was never around.

I’m pretty sure I mentioned in almost every conversation we’ve ever had how much I never wanted to come back to California.

So it’s unsurprising to me that he’s a little stunned.

“No shit?”

“No shit.”

“Well . . . shit.”

At that, we both laugh.

“When did you get back?”

“I’ve been back a little over a month, just wanting to make sure everything was really settled with this new gig before letting you know.”

It’s the truth. My interview with Memphis had been great, and I was excited about taking on a head chef position, even if the restaurant was smaller than places I’d worked in the past. But there was something that felt uncertain about this job position. Like it might suddenly disappear.

And my brother is a sensitive soul, so if I told him I was back in California and then left again, I knew it could be pretty hard on him. I wanted to be sure, and after a month of managing supply orders, getting comfortable with the new kitchen, setting up my menu, and testing out recipes, I finally feel like I am.

“Oh yeah? Where are you at?”

“Rosewood.”

There’s no sound on the other end, but I can tell I’ve stunned him again.

“Dude.”

“I know. But trust me when I tell you it was a coincidence.”

He hums something that makes me think he doesn’t believe me, but he doesn’t outright say it.

“I’m the new head chef at a winery. They’re adding on a restaurant.”

“No shit? That sounds awesome.”

I chuckle. “We’ll see. Have to prove myself first.”

My brother makes a scoffing noise. “You don’t need to prove yourself to anyone, Wes. You’re one of the best chefs in the whole damn country. This place is lucky to have you.”