“Enough!” She’d never again be able to walk into the butcher and buy a decent steak. She’d have to order online for the rest of her life.
This whole exchange should make her feel better about being forced to move away from an area she’d lived in all her life and loved. She’d be with people who hadn’t known her since birth. People who wouldn’t take such an active interest in her sex life.
It might even be possible tohavea sex life. Which would be a refreshing change.
So why was she feeling conflicted?
“I don’t have time for sex, Donna.”
“Are you listening to yourself? That’s tragic. And don’t tell me you don’t have time. There’s always your lunch hour. We could cover for you while you have a quickie in the laundry room.”
“If you could say that a little louder, Donna—I think the kitchen staff possibly didn’t hear you.”
“Oh, I think they probably did.” The deep male voice came from the doorway, and she glanced up and met the laughing gaze of Luca, her new head chef.
There was no point in wondering if he’d overheard, because clearly he had.
She didn’t know whether to kill Donna or bash her head on the desk.
“Luca.”
Recruiting Luca was one of the few things she’d done right recently, partly because he was an excellent chef, but also because he was one of the few people working here who hadn’t known her since she was a baby. Until thirty seconds ago she’d had an appropriately professional relationship with him, which had been a novelty.
Unfortunately, that professional relationship was now a thing of the past.
She’d never felt this embarrassed in her life, a feeling intensified by the fact he didn’t seem embarrassed at all. Judging from the smile on his face, he found the situation hilarious.
Or maybe it was the thought of someone wanting her badly enough to have a quickie against a stack of freshly laundered sheets and towels that he found hilarious.
Either way, it was going to be a while until she could have a conversation with him without thinking of laundry cupboards.
Determined not to allow this to become awkward she looked him straight in the eye, trying not to think of him naked.
That part wasn’t easy because as well as producing sublime food, Luca was undoubtedly easy on the eye.
He was above average height and beneath the traditional chef whites his shoulders were wide and powerful. She didn’t know whether his physique was the result of a serious gym habit or if he’d been lifting a lot of heavy pans. Maybe that was it. Every time she tried to heave her cast iron casserole out of the oven she promised herself that she was going to start going to the gym.
She gave what she hoped passed for a professional, detached smile. “Did you need something, Luca?”
Still laughing, he stepped forward and placed a file on her desk. “The new menu designs. I know which one I prefer, but I’d like your opinion.”
Someone wanted her opinion. Someone actually thought she might have something to contribute.
The wilting shoots of her confidence sprang back to life.
“Great. I’ll take a look and let you know what I think.”
Donna frowned. “What’s wrong with the current menu design? Gerald approved it.”
Luca transferred his gaze from Evie to Donna. “We’re updating the restaurant. We’ll be offering a smaller, seasonal menu and we need the design to reflect that. I’m sure Gerald would agree.”
Evie almost groaned. She could predict what was coming next.We’ve always done it this way...
Donna drew breath. “We’ve always—”
“Thank you, Donna,” Evie interrupted hastily. She didn’t want anyone stifling Luca’s creativity or he’d end up as exhausted and disillusioned as she was. She patted the file and smiled at him. “I’ll take a look at this and get back to you. Great job, Luca.”
“And I had some ideas for redesigning the restaurant. We’re not making the most of the views.”
