I rake a hand down my face and grit my teeth so hard my jaw pops. She wasn’t supposed to be part of this. She was supposed to be a memory. A mistake I could file away and forget.
But now she’s here, standing in the middle of my clean slate kitchen with those damn flushed cheeks and that look in her eyes likethisjust flipped her world upside down, too.
I expected some cocky culinary school grad or a hotshot trying to make a name for themselves in a mountain town. I didn’t expect her.
Even though, technically, she was the best resume I got. Experienced, creative, local ties. Everything I was looking for.
I just didn’t know she washer.
And now? I’ve got a decision to make.
She clears her throat. Straightens her shoulders. Doesn’t say a damn word about our night together. About my hands on her thighs. Her moaning my name like it belonged to her.
She lifts her chin like she’s daring me to make this weird.
I don’t.
I can’t afford to.
So, I do what I’ve always done when the game starts slipping out of my control. I go cold.
Professional.
Silent.
“Okay, well, I guess I need to give you the tour then. That’s why you’re here, right?”
Josie nods once, quickly.
“Yep. Tour. Let’s do that.” Her voice is chipper, a little too chipper, like she’s trying to smooth the awkward into submission. “Is it… just me?”
I nod.
Just her.
And me.
Marvellous.
I gesture for her to follow and start walking. “Kitchen’s open concept. Central line divides the space. That’s your zone.”
She trails beside me, eyes scanning the high ceilings, the gleaming stainless steel, the dark matte tile underfoot. “You weren’t kidding in the job ad. This is serious.”
“I take everything I do seriously.”
She gives a soft laugh, and damn if it doesn’t curl right down my spine. “Yeah, I remember.”
I shoot her a look.
Her smile is pure innocence. “I meant the kitchen.”
Sure you did.
I stop beside the hot line. “Six-burner Viking range. Double ovens. Salamander broiler. Pass-through is here. Plates land hot, clean, and garnished. You plate like it’s art, or you don’t plate at all.”
Josie whistles low under her breath. “This line’s a dream. I think I fell a little in love.”
Don’t say it. Don’t say it.
