“That’s all you’re letting me taste?”
“How about we start with food and see where it takes us?”
“Fair.” He joined me at the island, and I held my mug while I watched him take his first bite.
“Jesus.” He wiped his mouth and took a sip of coffee. “No one makes eggs as well as you.”
“That’s because I make them with love.”
“And spiced butter.”
I laughed. “That too.” I took a long drink of my coffee and stretched my arms over my head before I cut into the toast. “I’m going to head over to Alivia’s once I take a shower. I want to make sure?—”
“No, you’re not.”
Was I about to find out why he’d taken the phone call in the office? Or was his response related to something else?
“I’m …not?”
“You’re taking a shower, and then you’re coming with me.”
I hid my smile. I was right. Walker was definitely up to something.
“And where are we going?”
“The airport.”
My hand went to his bare shoulder, my anxiety spiking as I thought about everything I needed to get done before I went into work tonight. “What? No. I can’t leave. I can’t?—”
“I’ll return you by Sunday.”
“Sunday?” I couldn’t breathe. “Walker, that’s four days from now. In those four days, I have three shifts at Charred and endless stuff at Alivia’s that I need to handle and?—”
“You don’t have any shifts at Charred.”
My eyes widened. “You requested time off for me?”
He so nonchalantly took another bite, and when the smoked salmon fell onto his plate, he popped it into his mouth. “I spoke to the guys in the kitchen and switched some of their schedules around.”
“And what about Alivia’s? What about what’s happening there? We need to go there daily and?—”
“Alivia’s will be fine while we’re gone. I spoke to Eden. She’s going to go over and check out the progress every day. Don’t worry, nothing slides past her. If she even gets a whiff of something not being right, she’ll be blowing up my phone.” He took a drink of coffee.
“Let me just make sure I understand this.” I swiveled the barstool so I could face him. “You used your powers to switch my work shifts?—”
“Which I can do.” He finally looked at me. His grin was over-the-top sexy, which only added to what I was already feeling. “I’m the owner. Regardless if I work there or not.”
“And you’re having your sister take over my responsibilities at Alivia’s?”
“I’m having her help out. She’s not taking over anything.” His eyes narrowed. “I can’t tell if you’re mad? Or if you want me to tear your clothes off?”
I laughed. “You’re unbelievable.” I let out a loud breath. “And to answer your question, I think it’s a little of both.”
His hands suddenly surrounded my face. “I know you love being at Charred. I know how important Alivia’s is to you and how you want to be there for every step of the process. But I also know how busy things are going to get as we near opening night. And once the restaurant officially opens, it’s going to be hard to tear you away.” He kissed me. “I wouldn’t do what I’m doing if it wasn’t important. And necessary. And if I didn’t think you were going to fucking love it.” He paused. “Trust me.”
“Well … how can I say no to that?”
He chuckled. “Let’s finish this incredible breakfast, take a shower together, and then we’ll be on our way.”
