“And when they moved the counters in the culinary kitchen?”
“I like knowing where to place my cane.”
“Being a creature of habit isn’t a bad thing except when you don’t know when it's time to leave your nest.”
“Not as fun as leaving my love nest.So many people didn’t think I could do this.”
“You proved them wrong.Find a new space.There are lots of kitchens in this city.Ask Ares.”
“I’m not going to ask him to do me a favour.”
Cecilia pursed her lips together.“If you promise you aren’t going to come back here in the New Year, I’ll ask around for you.But you also have to tell Ares.”
“I’m not telling Ares,” Josie turned away from her friend, feeling her neck flushed.She didn't need Ares to come to her rescue.She could handle her business by herself.
Cecilia sighed, letting it go.“Your chicken is delicious.Thanks for lunch.”
“Have a good shift.”
“I’m just looking out for you.”
“I know.I’m lucky to have you as a friend.”
Cecilia grinned, gave her shoulder a squeeze.
The bell tingled and Avery came back in.“Okay!What do we need to do?”
“Fourteen orders and I need to get a tray of mini cheesecakes on.”
“I’d rather do four sixteen-hour shifts than make pastry!”Cecilia said.“You girls have fun.Josie, Layla is going to come by in an hour.”
“Okay”, Josie didn’t want to make a big deal of it in front of Avrey but even though she wanted to argue and tell Cecilia she didn’t need to, she remembered the stare in Carter’s eye.It creeped her out.
“I think we need something festive in the background!”
“I got a 90s alternative rock Christmas playlist!”
“Perfect” Josie said.
In two days, she'd be with her family celebrating Christmas and Ares would be with her.She could make it till then and worry about her business in the New Year.
27 ARES
Filled with exceptional food and with the laughter of the Christmas meal echoing in his mind, Ares committed it all to memory.From his comfortable seat in the living room, he could see Fleur and Josie in the kitchen, laughing as Fleur put away the dishes, a dish towel over her shoulder.From the vases with white and green floral arrangements in the centre of the table on every available shelf, to a real tree in the living room and tables pushed together to make a buffet, this night was one he’d never forget.
He’d never been so relaxed at dinner.He couldn’t recall the last time his phone stayed silent, the last time he had let his guard down this much to feel sleepy in a house not his own, the last time he was content.
Across the house, Josie laughed.
No, that’s a lie.
Whenever I'm with her, I’m content.
Ares had spent a lifetime understanding that his fate was tied to his brother’s.That his only ambition would take a step back, never to outshine Xander’s because that’s what was required in order for his brother to succeed.And given Xander’s horrible past, the childhood they had, it had to be that way.
But in this tiny house on the wrong side of town, Ares had never dreamed of wanting anything so badly as he did at that moment.
From the living room, a clang rang out, jostling him out of his thoughts.Carlos had dropped the silverware.
