Chantel nodded. Mommy, did you hear that? Ms. Chantel is going to teach me to make her secret mac and cheese. Jocelyn chuckled. I did hear that. Without another word, Amira darted back inside the house, saying that she was hungry. Chantel was smiling as she stood back up. That was very sweet of you, Chantel, Jocelyn said. Its my pleasure. I was around Amiras age when I first got interested in cooking. You never know. Maybe youll have a little chef on your hands. She loves learning new things, Jocelyn told her, then glared at Bear. Though some are not kid-appropriate. Bears cheeks turned a shade of red. Joce, Ive already apologized, and you have to admit, Ive been watching my words around her. Bear, she called her classmate a chicken shit. Chantel tried not to laugh, but then Zach started laughing. His deep, resounding sound sent tingles through Chantels body. Even his laugh was sexy. As if sensing his brothers need to get out of the situation, Zach spoke up. Well, you guys are probably tired from the drive. Plus, Amira said she was hungry. Theres plenty of pizza left. Saved by the brother, Jocelyn teased, which made everyone laugh. As they headed back inside, Amiras voice echoed through the house, excitedly announcing her new role as soup chef to anyone who would listen. Before Chantel stepped back inside the house, Zach stopped her, placing his hand on her arm. When she looked up at him, his eyes were full of affection. Are you sure that youre okay? he asked. She knew he was referring to Marios message. She smiled up at him. You have a wonderful family. He grinned. I think they think that you are pretty great too. Chantel felt a lightness settle over her, the earlier tension from Marios message fading with each laugh and shared moment. As she followed Zach back inside, the warmth of the house wrapped around her like a blanket. For now, she was content. Mario could wait another day. Chapter Nine The following day, Chantel groaned as her alarm buzzed earlier than usual. Shed set it with the intention of surprising Zach and his family by making breakfast for them. Blinking her eyes open, she reached for her phone on the nightstand and hit the snooze button. The sun wasnt up yet, and neither was her brain. Half-asleep, she pulled herself out of bed, made her way over to her suitcase, and grabbed her toiletry bag and her clothes for the day. She opened the bedroom door and listened. The house was quiet, making her believe that everyone was still asleep, which was perfect. Her bare feet padded lightly against the hardwood floor as she crossed the hall, making her way to the bathroom. She turned the knob on the door and stepped inside. In the latest episode of ReelTalk EP 37, titled "Confessions of a Casting Director" by CrushReel, dive into the behind-the-scenes world of bringing your favorite stars to the big screen. Casting Directors reveal the intricate process of selecting actors for roles and share insights into what they seek in fresh talent. Explore the nuanced themes and character elements that shape the casting decisions, shedding light on the unique aspects that influence the final choices. Discover the artistry and expertise involved in assembling the perfect ensemble to breathe life into each character on screen. What sets this episode apart is its candid exploration of the casting process, offering a rare glimpse into the meticulous craft of matching actors to roles. Uncover the passion and dedication that drive Casting Directors in their quest to create captivating performances. For an exclusive look into the world of casting and to learn more about this ongoing series, head over to CrushReel. Experience firsthand the magic of bringing characters from script to screen by delving into "Confessions of a Casting Director," available to read online at CrushReel.