“Everyone is taking this too far. I’ve had enough—”
“You promised not to butt in with my cooking for everyone—”
“You said nothing about a cocktail party and dinner for my men.”
“And I don’t have to say anything either.”
What the fuck does that mean?
She rolled her eyes and turned back to Chef Bunzo. “Anyway. Thank you so much for these drinks. What’s in them?”
The cocktails gleamed pale pink in the sunlight.
He stirred, clearly, uncomfortable with our earlier discussion. Surely, he had never seen anyone talk to me in that way.
He cleared his throat. “Fresh yuzu juice, premium sake, a touch of Okinawan sugar, hibiscus syrup, all topped with champagne.”
“Wow.” She took a sip and groaned.
My body stirred.
She licked her lips. “I see why you’ve won so many awards.”
He blushed and then bowed. “You honor me.”
“It tastes like sunshine, joy, and flowers."
He bobbed his head. "That's what I was going for."
“Oh my God. Promise me that you will help me with the drink pairings too for the event.”
I sneered.
There will be no damned cocktail party.
I could have said that out loud, but I chose to be quiet for now. Let them all think they will share her food. I would come up with a plan to end this, even if it meant getting rid of the kitchen altogether.
“Nyomi, I will do my best.” He made sure to avoid my scowl as he quickly nodded and then backed away. “Enjoy your drinks. I provided a nice picnic basket of snacks while you swim.”
“Oh. That sounds fabulous.” She smiled. “Thank you.”
When he left, Nyomi turned to me and shook her head. “If you keep being stingy about the food, you’re not going to get an invite to the party.”
“Is that so?” My control slipped a notch.
She gave me this odd look and widened her eyes as if she could see something rising behind me.
I squinted at her, puzzled by her sudden silence and the widening of her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
I looked behind me, didn’t see anything, and then faced her. “You saw something.”
“I did but you wouldn’t believe me, if I told you.”
“What did you see?”
She pursed her lips.
