Iget back to the kitchen with the tray of scattered appetisers, my body shaking from the shock of bumping into one of the actually attractive Alphas. It’s a terrible impression to make on my first night, and I can only hope he doesn’t make a complaint against me.
Putting the tray down on the counter, I take in a deep breath.
“New girl!” Chef Harris calls out. “Was something wrong with those appetisers?”
Shaking my head quickly, I try to compose myself.
“Um, no. I just … I almost dropped the tray,” I admit, voice low.
He moves around the counter to where I’m standing.
My new boss. I barely know him. I hold my breath, waiting for his reaction on seeing his perfect little pastries in such a broken disarray.
I wait to be chastised, to be yelled at, but it doesn’t happen.
“No use crying over spilt pastry,” he says, as he picks a piece up and swipes it across the smeared sauce dots.
I glance up to see him popping it into his mouth.
His expression turns to satisfaction quickly. “Mm. Now, we mustn’t let good food go to waste, but I must get back to work. You will take a break and sit down. You need to put more meat on your bones. I will get you a glass of milk.”
I blink as he moves away, whistling.
This place … it’s a whole different world.
I had no idea things could be like this.
It’s all so easy, so calm.
Pulling out one of the stools from under the counter, I take a seat in front of the tray of food.
There are three broken pastries left scattered across the plates.
It still feels completely wrong to eat something that wasn’t supposed to be mine.
When my boss puts a glass of milk down beside the tray, I give him a smile.
“Thank you.”
“It is no trouble. I remember what it was like to be young and new to things. You’ll make mistakes, but the important thing is to move past them, yes?”
I nod slowly. “I’ve never been one to dwell on mistakes.”
“That is a good way to be. Now eat before Chatty Kathy comes back. She doesn’t need an excuse for a break, and she eats enough of my food when she thinks I’m not looking.”
He leaves me to go back to his preparations.
I look at the tray, and I tell myself this food is mine.
It’s not perfect enough to serve now, and he already told me to eat it.
Still, I hesitate.
I take a sip of milk.
I’m not hungry, really, but they do look good.
I put my glass down and pick up a small piece.
