“I don't think you’re making me feel better,” Ares said.“Do you have to work?”
“Yes.I’m sure you have a frog to see to safety or something.”
“What?”His lips twitched.
“Nothing.Just a little joke about how you could be a frog smuggler.”
Ares’s rich laughter followed her out into the chill of the parking lot.She blew him a kiss, then closed the car door and made her way into the kitchen.“Hello!”The bell rang as she entered.
“Hey!You came out of your love nest,” Cecilia sat at the small counter, holding up a chicken leg.“This is bonkers good.”
“Yep, came up for air but so did you.Thanks, it's a new recipe I've been playing with”
“She’s already had four!”Avery said, closing the lid on a box.
“Told you I came to eat.I don't want to go back.”
“You have to!”
“I know.I’m going to make all my line cooks this recipe.Give it.”
“Not even a please?”Josie stuck out her tongue.
“Nope.If I don't have this again, I'll faint away to nothingness.”
“Then you don’t have to go work in one of the best restaurants in the city,” Avery said, on to the next delivery.
“What smells so good?”Carter stepped in to the kitchen.
“Her chicken.”Cecilia said.
“Hi, Carter!Looking forward to the downtime?”Josie said.
“I thought you said you weren’t interested in dating.”He stepped right into her personal space.Her whole body tensed.She heard the scrape of Cecilia’s chair, felt Avery’s eyes on her from behind.
“No.I said I didn't want to date you.”
“Never mix business and pleasure, not smart,” Avery chimed in.“Can I get you some chicken?”
Carter blinked, smiled at Avery.“Would love some.Anything made by Josie has to be good.”
Aubrey got another box and filled it.
“Thanks.See you,” Carter turned and walked out of the kitchen.
The air in the room was so thick, Cecilia frowned.
“I’m going to check on my daughter quickly.Will be back,” Avery said, grabbing her phone and stepping out the back door.
“Cecilia, he apologized.It’s fine.”
“The way that man looked at you, Josie, isn’t fine.I know you don’t like change—”
“That’s not true!”
“Remember the eco double knit coffee filter?”Cecilia raised an eyebrow.
“So, it was my favourite!My coffee hasn’t been as fresh ever since.”
