Ihesitated answering Dillon’s question because I didn’t want to admit the truth.But after a few beats of trying to ignore my phone, I finally fessed up. “Hetold me. He wanted me to… to help make sure he was getting everything right.”
“Hmm.”
“Don’thmm me.” I pointed a finger at her that let her know I meant business. “I’m hissous chef. Obviously, he would count on me for something as important as that.”
“That’sanother thing.” Dan showed up with our food, interrupting our conversationwhile he set it in front of us and made sure we had everything we needed. Itook the opportunity to sneak a look at Wyatt’s message.
I’m guessing you’re an icedcoffee kind of girl. Cream? Sugar?
WhenI hadn’t answered, he’d come back with,I’mgetting you cream and sugar.
Hewas right. How did he know that? I mean, there were other options I liked. Butduring warm months, iced coffees were my jam. And always with cream and sugar.Always.
WhenDan walked away again, Dillon leaned forward and dropped her voice again. “Heasked you to stay as his sous chef right away. On day one. He didn’t even haveto think about it. It was like the second he got promoted, he knew exactly whohe wanted by his side.”
Irolled my eyes. That was the least interesting clue out of the bunch. “Thatdoesn’t mean anything. Who else would he ask?”
“Benny.”
“Benny’snot far off from sous. He’s like an honorary. They’re BFFs.”
“Doesn’tthat make it strange that he asked you and not Benny?”
“I’ma better chef than Benny. And I was a sous for Killian,” She gave me a look.“Besides, Wyatt’s not the kind of guy to pick his friends over more qualifiedcompetition. They might be close, but Wyatt cares about the kitchen more thanfriendship.”
Shetilted her head thoughtfully. “Okay, you have me there.”
“Ihave you everywhere,” I insisted, except in my recent text messages. “Stoptrying to make this more than it is. Whatever happened last night was theproduct of too much hatred, too little sleep, and a weird moment of insanity.It’s not going to happen again. Ever.”
Dillon’smischievous smile filled my stomach with nerves. “Don’t be crazy. This is WyattShawwe’re talking about. Have youseen the man? God, he’s so sexy. That body. All those tattoos. His hair! Hishair is obnoxiously amazing. Kaya, if you get a chance to do that again, do it.Do it for me. Do it for the women of Durham. Ney, do it for the women of theworld. Be our tribute.”
Ifound myself laughing before I could discourage her craziness. “You’reridiculous.”
“Wasit good?”
Rollingmy eyes, I suddenly found my oatmeal to be very interesting.
“Kaya!”she hollered at me.
“God,what? Don’t yell at me!”
Shewas still grinning like a fool. “Was. It. Good?”
Iheld her eyes, my expression turning serious and furious all at once. “It wasfucking amazing.”
Shethrew her head back and cackled at the ceiling. “Ha-ha! I knew it. I knew hewould be good!”
“Okay,seriously, do you have a thing for him? Because you’ve never said anything, andI didn’t mean to step on your toes and—”
Herlaughter died, and she wrinkled her nose at me. “Don’t be crazy. I have nothing for Mr. Mysterious and Broody, okay? I like my men open, honest, and muchless… yell-y.”
Hewas very yell-y.
“But,”she went on. “I’ve always felt like there was more to him than what he lets theworld see. I mean, Ezra and Killian think the world of him. And they are thetwo opinions I trust most in the world. Clearly, he’s not all mean, scary boss.It’s nice to see that there’s a soul to him. That’s all.”
Hedefinitely had a soul. There had been times when we were sous chefs side byside that I’d even thought we were friends, maybe even good friends. Yeah, wealways found something to clash over, but he had layers. He was so much morethan the version I faced off with in the kitchen every night. Not that I wouldadmit that to Dillon. “Being a good kisser does not automatically make someonea nice or decent person. Do you remember when he threw your trout in thetrashcan? The whole entire plate and everything? He is the definition of mean,scary boss.”
Sheshrugged. “I’d killed that trout. And I’d managed to drop half the roe on theground and tried to get away with it. He called me on my bullshit.” She buriedher face in her hands for a moment and groaned. “I was so green. I’d beenworking there for all of two weeks or something and seriously contemplatedquitting. Yeah, fine, he’s terrifying. But he’s also right most of the time.”
