Zaina shook her head, “I think I’m in the no man for a while business.”
“Mm-hmm,” Devin said, and she stood up. “Let’s get some food. I’m starving.”
“This time I’m getting some of the Nutella French toast. Zaina, you have to try some too. Devin said it’s life changing.”
“I tell you what, it really is.”
“Lead the way.” Zaina held her arm out, and Devin started walking to the buffet.
Nicole glanced over at the omelet station and Sean wasn’t there. He must be in the back. She wanted to see him, but she also didn’t want to call attention to their relationship in his place of work.
They filled their plates with plenty of Nutella French toast as well as deviled eggs, thick slices of bacon and little yogurt parfaits. By the time their plates were cleared away, the pitcher was gone and they’d had more laughs than tears as Nicole shared some of the highlights of her weekend. Even Zaina was in good spirits for most of the meal.
Devin’s phone pinged. She looked down at it. “Ladies, it looks like my time is up. Ben is calling for reinforcements."
They stood up and began making their way out of the restaurant. When they got to the hostess stand, a voice said, “Nicole.”
Nicole grinned and turned around into Sean’s embrace. She gave him a warm squeeze. “You look so hot in your chef’s whites.” She spoke low for only him to hear. “I can’t wait to get you out of them tonight.” She moved away from him, and he put his arm around her waist and kissed the crown of her head.
“Ladies, thanks for coming to Jesse’s Pub today. I hope everything was amazing.”
“So good.” Zaina said patting her flat stomach.
“Excellent as always Chef,” Devin said.
Nicole touched her cheeks; she was beginning to think if she kept smiling this much, her face was going to hurt.More good aches,she thought.
She moved so that she was just holding his hand now. “See you about seven?” she confirmed.
“I’ll come loaded with groceries to make you a Michelin Star dinner.”
“And a side of prime beef right here, all for me.” She gave him a pat on his chest.
Zaina guffawed.
He rolled his eyes. “Maybe leave the food puns to me?”
“We’ll see about that, baby,” she teased.
“Behave.” He said with a wink and kissed her cheek. “Bye for now.” He turned and began walking back toward the kitchen.
To each side of her, Devin and Zaina were fanning themselves dramatically.
“So hot,” Zaina said as the swinging doors swung shut behind Sean.
“He is a fine-looking man.”
“And he’s all mine.”
Epilogue
NICOLE
Nicole turned off her monitor and pushed back from her desk. The first day back after Spring Break was in the books and she was ready for another vacation. She picked up her purse and looked out the window for Sean’s Jeep.
Nancy spoke up from the copy machine. “Is your honey coming to pick you up today?”
Nicole turned from the window, smiling widely, her ponytail swishing. “Yep, we’re going over to Marley Lake Park.”
