Chapter 4: Substitution

There were no more mishaps in the kitchen the next couple of days, but Cody found himself feeling more and more miserable. Twice he had called London's suite, only to hang up when he heard her voice. He was a nervous wreck now that he realized he liked her and that he possibly ruined any chance he had with her.

"Cody are you-a okay?" Chef Paolo asked.

"Me? I'm fine," Cody lied.

"I know you Cody. You are not-a fine," he said.

"Okay...it's London. I still haven't apologized for the other day because every time I call her I chicken out for some reason," he said finally.

"You have-a feelings for Miss Tipton do you not?" Paolo asked.

"Yes I do," Cody said.

"Cody have you-a ever heard the old saying 'Nothing ventured, nothing gained?" Paolo asked.

"Yeah my mother always told me and Zack that to get us to eat our broccoli," Cody said.

"Smart woman!" Paolo replied with a laugh. "What I'm-a trying to say is that if you do not at least try you will never know what could have been between you and the lovely Miss Tipton," he added.

"Chef Paolo I thought you didn't like London?" Cody asked.

"She's been-a coming down here a lot lately and she can actually be a charming girl when she wants to be," Paolo said.

"She's been coming down here?" Cody asked in surprise.

"Yes. She said she wanted to learn a little about cooking to impress a boy," he said.

Cody and Paolo looked at each other and both had contemplative looks.

"Hmm...I wonder who she coulda been talking about?" Paolo said finally.

"Beats me," Cody said.

Paolo looked at Cody for a second longer and just laughed before saying, "Well why don't you take the rest of the day off? You look like you could use a break."

"Thanks Paolo," Cody said and left the kitchen.

As Cody was walking through the lobby Zack called out to him.

"Hey Cody come take a look at this!" he said.

Cody walked over to where Zack had a laptop computer set up on the candy counter.

"What is it?" Cody asked.

"Check out what London has planned for tonight's show," Zack said and pointed at the screen.

"A dating game? Who are these guys?" Cody asked and pointed at the pictures of three guys on the screen.

"Those are the losers that will be competing on 'Yay Dating!'," Zack said with finger quotes and a laugh.

"So all the slots are filled for the show huh?" Cody said.

"Wait...you want to get in on this don't you?" Zack asked.

"Think about it! This could be a good way for me to get back on London's good side...if only there was a spot open!" Cody said.

"Who says she would pick you even if there was a spot open?" Zack said.

"It's worth a shot! Nothing ventured, nothing gained remember!" Cody replied.

"Cody...London isn't a piece of broccoli," Zack said with a laugh.

"If only there was a way to get on that show!" Cody said in frustration.

"Cody Cody Cody, have I not taught you anything over the years? You just gotta use your head. I'm sure you'll think of something," Zack said.

As Zack finished talking Cody noticed one of the contestants was standing in the lobby, probably waiting to go up to London's suite. Suddenly Cody got an idea. He walked over to the guy and introduced himself.

"Hello there my name is Cody Martin and I'm executive producer of "Yay Me!" starring London Tipton," Cody said and shook the guy's hand.

"Oh yeah I remember you. You're the kid she used to dress up and stuff," the guy said with a smirk. "I'm Brent Hollingsworth," he added.

"Well Brent I have a few questions for you before you go up. First off how much money are you worth?" Cody asked.

"Why? I'm rich enough," Brent said with a look of annoyance.

"Yes, but London is only looking for the best of the best," Cody said.

"Well then I'd say my net worth is probably around 50 million," he said with pride.

"Ooooh I'm sorry she's looking for no less than 100 million," Cody said with fake sincerity.

"What!? Well I...forget it then I'm out! Some rich people can be such snobs!" Brent said and stormed out of the hotel.

Zack came running up behind him and put his arm around him before saying, "Cody that was brilliant! I knew you could do it! Now get up there and get your girl!"

"You're right! I can do this!" Cody said.

"That's my brother folks!" Zack said with pride in his voice.

Suddenly Cody fainted and fell back onto the floor.

"Oh that's just great!" he said.