Talking to them is part of the job. Flattering, sure, but it also pulls me away from the reason I’m here. To cook, to create, toshare what I love most—food that not only fills people up, but also creates memories, makes them feel something.
Still, I’m damn lucky. If anyone told me years ago this would be my life, I would’ve laughed. Yet here I am, living the dream. And aware it could vanish overnight.
This industry is tough. People have a lot of choice as to where to dine, and keeping your place top of mind is a constant struggle. Not to mention juggling rising costs, wages, staffing headaches, vendors, and the thousand little details that make or break a service.
The two women who were dining with the captivating brunette approach the window. Without hesitation, the sleek black-haired one with fierce energy cuts in front of the other ladies standing at the window. Her blonde friend lingers behind, looking like she’d much rather be back at their table, or cleaning toilets for that matter, than here.
One of the ladies at the front huffs out, “Excuse me.”
Ballsy, I decide to call her, doesn’t flinch. She stares at me with what I’m guessing is herfuck meeyes.
Before the tension between these two escalates, I rest an elbow on the window and look to Ballsy. “If you’d kindly wait your turn, I’ll be right with you.”
I motion for her to step back then look to the redhead who is now back in front. Ballsy narrows her gaze on the woman and is about to clock Red when Blondie grabs her arm, whispering something inaudible.
Blondie’s posture and expression are terse and reproachful. Thank goodness one of them has some sense.
Still wary of potential trouble, I keep the charm flowing as I sign the cookbooks. Finally, the redhead and her friend go back to their table, and now it’s just Ballsy and Blondie.
Thenshestrolls past the kitchen. Again.
My body straightens instinctively, drawn toward her like tide to the moon.
“Olivia.” Blondie tugs the brunette’s arm to stop her mid-stride.
Olivia.
My heart stutters.
Deep, fawn-colored eyes, wild and wide, erratically dart around the room like she’s hunting an exit. Then, as if sensing my gaze, she regards me with an almost laser-sharp focus.
Everything slows. And I swear it’s the same for her.
Her breathing steadies. Her lips part. Eyes glint. She bites the soft curve of her bottom lip, and desire shoots through me, sharp and sudden. My cock twitches and I can’t deny I like the idea I’maffecting her in such a way.
Her gaze holds mine—dark, warm, endless. The air hums between us. Blondie says something to her, but it goes unanswered. We’re locked in. Oblivious to anything around us.
The order window was specifically created to make me accessible to the dining room yet keep the patrons out. And I’ve always liked it that way.
But now I want to smash the bricks to tiny little pieces, knock it down until there’s nothing but rubble between us. I want every inch of her in view.
“I’m Erin.” Ballsy thrusts her hand through the opening in the window without a care for what’s happening between me and her friend.
I don’t want to take her hand, break what Olivia and I have going, but in my line of work, being rude isn’t good for business. And call it a gut feeling, but friend or not, this one strikes me as the kind to start a scene.
Reluctantly, I peel my gaze from the object of my desire and half-heartedly shake the other woman’s hand, gifting her withthe barest hint of a smile, then drop her hand like a hot pan, my gaze back to Olivia.
My hand drifts toward her. The pull to connect with her sharp enough to ache.
“I’m Sam, and you are?” It’s an excuse to hear her voice. I already know her name.
“Olivia.” The way she says it lingers, soft and melodic on her lips.
I take her hand, my thumb tracing the delicate skin at her wrist when a charge sparks through me, firing from my chest straight to my groin. Heat pools low as want tightens every muscle.
She returns the touch, her thumb grazing the back of my hand in slow, deliberate strokes. Neither of us pulls away.
Erin clears her throat, and Olivia startles slightly before glancing to her friend.
