“I needed to see what the fuss wasabout.”
“And?”
“Don’t tell me you’re one of those guysthat needs his ego coddled?”
He leaned in, brushing his shoulderagainst mine. “Every guy is that guy. Don’t single me out.”
I tried not to smile. Really. I gaveit my best effort. “Honestly?”
He pulled back, holding my gaze andnodding. “Why do you think women always hold the power?”
If I didn’t know better, I wouldhave thought he looked nervous. His eyes moved over me tentatively, and his handswere tucked into his pockets.
“Honestly, I think everything needsa little more salt.”
Shock hit his entire body at once,rocking him back on his heels. He’d expected me to fawn over him, to fall to myknees and praise him for being a god in the kitchen.
But I was done kissing ass to greatchefs who didn’t need to be told they were great.
Before Killian could respond,Molly’s sharp voice captured my attention. “I suppose it’s up to you,” shesnapped at Ezra. “It’s your website. Your logo. You should do what you want todo.”
“Even if it looks like shit?” Ezrasnarled.
“I didn’t say that.”
The two of them glowered at eachother, and it was so shocking that I couldn’t even figure out a way to rescuethe conversation. Molly didn’t snap at people. Molly didn’t glower at them.Molly was sweet and shy and always professional.
Always.
Ezra stepped back, disentanglinghimself from conflict. “I’ll let you get back to your meal. Thank you for youradvice.” To Killian, he said, “I’ll be at my usual table.”
Killian nodded. “I’ll find youlater. We can talk about Bianca.”
Bianca was one of Ezra’s otherrestaurants, closer to the suburbs. And it sounded like they were having chefproblems. I immediately wondered who they would hire.
Killian hovered a second longerbefore nodding toward his kitchen. “I should get back. I just wanted to make sureeverything tasted fine.”
“Thanks for checking on us,” Mollygushed before I could answer. “I didn’t know food could taste this good.”
I kicked her shin under the table.
Killian tugged on his beard, somehowacknowledging me without looking at me. “I don’t believe you.” Finally, heturned back to me and said, “I’ll have Shane clean this up and bring youdessert. You can stay as long as you’d like, the meal is on me tonight.”
“You don’t have to—”
“Just tell me what you’re makingthis weekend,” he countered as if that would be fair play.
I stood for almost thirty secondsnot knowing what to say or how to react. He couldn’t possibly be thatinterested in my cooking. Or my menus. When logic failed, sarcasm swooped in tosave the day. “I’d rather pay my bill,” I told him.
His hand swiped over his mouth,hiding his brief smile. “I guess I’ll have to stop by and find out for myselfthen.”
“No, that’s not what I—”
He’d already turned away from me.“Molly, it was a pleasure to meet you. Forgive my friend, he’s a bigger assholethan I am.” Molly tried to apologize for her behavior too, but Killian cut usboth off and said, “Goodnight, ladies.”
Then he was gone. Like a dragon backto his lair.
I turned to Molly. “What justhappened?”
