Chef Cory laughed. “That means I’m right on time.” In the kitchen, he started unpacking ingredients while glancing around. “Y’all got a nice setup here.”
Everything in the cabin felt like a luxury winter escape ad. And this man went and hired a damn chef. Sitting at the island, I glanced over at Woods, who was already pulling up a stool and setting the mood. He tapped his phone screen and connected to the Bluetooth speakers. A few seconds later, Donell Jones’ “This Luv” floated through the space like it had been waiting on cue.
“Okay…” I said, swaying a little. “A little R&B Christmas dinner vibe?” He looked over at me with that low smirk with those damn dimples popping. I smiled and sat across from him, resting my chin on my hand. “So what exactly is he making?”
Woods leaned back and nodded toward the chef, who was already moving like it was his home kitchen. “Appetizer is garlic shrimp in a white wine butter sauce. Dinner’s filet mignon and truffle pasta. And for dessert, some cheesecake.”
Before I could respond, my phone started ringing.
Shit.I hesitated for a second, knowing damn well I was supposed to call her back. I slid my finger across the screen and answered with a bit of guilt in my voice. “Hey, girl…”
She didn’t even say hello. Her face popped up on FaceTime with a ‘bitch, really?’ look already loaded. “Ohhh, so you arealive? What happened to callin’ me back? I got real drama right now, bitch!”
I winced. “I know, I know… I meant to call you back yesterday. Things got—”
“Got good, clearly,” Taj cut in, squinting like she was adjusting her vision. “Where the hell you at? That don’t look like your kitchen.” Shaking my head, I flipped the camera, and she damn near hollered. “Not you pullin’ up in her city! Cuzzo really locked that thang the fuck down!
Woods looked up mid-roll with a lazy grin. “What’s up, Taj?”
Her whole neck whipped. “Y’all ain’t slick! What y’all done got a rental somewhere low key, huh?”
“Yes,” I replied, flipping the camera again to show the chef hard at work. The kitchen smelled amazing.
“Uh uh!” Taj exclaimed, popping her lips. “Cuz, you got a whole private chef in the kitchen. Autumn, you letting this nigga put you in a chokehold?”
Woods let out a deep laugh and sparked his blunt as I muttered, “It’s a soft choke.”
Taj gasped. “Wowwww! You know what? I ain’t even mad ‘cause I knew it. I knew y’all wasn’t done.” Chef Cory stirred something that smelled like garlic, butter, and sex appeal, then glanced up and nodded politely. “Okay, period. So, who’s Chef Zaddy back there? Sir, do you like women wit’ attitude and two badass kids?”
Woods coughed from laughing too hard, and I was cracking up too. Chef turned around, amused. “Depends. You like a nigga wit’ a felon and a couple misdemeanors on his record?”
Taj hollered. “A fool! I like him already. Can he cook me dinner next?”
“Hell nah,” Woods said without missing a beat.
Taj mugged the screen. “First of all, nobody asked you. Second of all, Autumn, you up here bein’ wifed up while I’m stuck in the city lookin’ at DoorDash prices. Shit, I’m tryna get mine too!”
I snorted. “You need help. Seriously!”
The music shifted to H.E.R.’s “Christmas Time Is Here” in the background, smooth and vibey. Woods moved closer to me, exhaling smoke slowly before kissing my cheek.
Taj sucked her teeth. “Anyway, I’m happy for y’all asses but don’t think you off the hook. I want the full rundown later. Like, real details. Skin contact. Emotion. Nut count.”
“Bye, Taj,” I laughed, ending the call before she could say anything else reckless. “Your cousin is wild.”
Woods looked over at me, eyes low. “That’syourfriend.”
Chef Cory finally turned toward us with a proud nod. “Appetizers are ready.”
I turned to see him carefully plating everything on a wide slate tray, white dishes lined with little garnishes, like we were in somebody’s fancy five-star restaurant. I licked my lips discreetly at the shrimp skewers glistening under a white wine butter sauce. The steam rose like an invitation straight to my soul.
“Damn,” I mumbled, stepping closer with wide eyes. “That’s for us?”
Chef Cory smirked. “All for y’all. First course.”
I didn’t wait to be polite. I grabbed one of the skewers and bit straight into a shrimp. The moan that escaped my mouth was pure filth and loud as hell. “Mmmph, shit… oh my God,” I gasped, covering my mouth. “I didn’t mean to do that.”
Woods cracked up, dimples showcased while shaking his head like he’d seen enough. “Ayo. You out here moanin’ like that over shrimp?” he teased. “Sounds like I got competition now.”
