Wouldhappen.
Except bad things happen anyway.
And there’s not a fucking thing you can do about it.
Matteo pulls another batch. This time it’s perfect. Sauce clings. Texture’s right. He plates it and slides it across the counter. “Try,capo.”
I taste. Nod. “That’s it. Write it down before you forget the timing.”
He’s already scribbling notes.
I leave him to it and head back toward my office. Check my watch. Nine forty. Ben’s in school. Jess is back at my house. Prepping for afternoon pickup. Orworking on Brave Kitchen curriculum. Or doing literally anything except thinking about me.
While I’m thinking about her constantly.
About the curve of her hip when she leans over the counter. The way her curls catch light. How her laugh sounds when Ben says something ridiculous.
How she looks when she cums.
Stop.
I force the thoughts down and pull out my phone. Open the text thread with Valentina.Clear my calendar from two to three today. Personal.
Her reply is instant.Done. Therapy? Doctor?
Neither. Just need the block.
Three dots. Then:Noted.
I pocket the phone and keep walking.
The personal block is for the conversation I need to have with myself about whether I’m going to end Jess’s employment before this gets worse.
Before I cross another line I can’t uncross.
Before Ethan finds out and kills me with his bare hands.
The thought sits ugly in my gut all that day, until finally two o’clock arrives.
My phone buzzes, reminding me of my personal time.
I make it back to my office. Close the door. Sit.
Fire her.
Let her go.
Can I really do it?
Find someone else who’s good with Ben but doesn’t make me want to violate labor law every time we’re in the same room?
Finding someone else definitely would be the smart move. The controlled move. The one that protectseveryone.
But it’s also bullshit.
And I know it.
Because firing Jess isn’t about protecting her or Ben or even my friendship with Ethan.
