Her eyes widen.
“It’s part of the system.” I raise a shoulder.
“Whatsystem?”
I allow the silence to extend then answer. “The very sophisticated one where I look like a smoker but technically am not.”
She stares at me like she’s deciding whether I’m joking or deeply unwell.
“Whatever works for you.” She finally shrugs.
I tap the cigarette on the packet. I’m hoping the same strategy might work with her.
If I keep her close by, not just at work but at home too, maybe I won’t crave her quite so much.
She leans a hip against the building and surveys me with a steady gaze.
“Why are we here, James?"
"I thought I should explain my earlier proposition some more."
"I’m not interested.” She looks away.
Something tells me she’s lying. That some part of her would like to find out more details of what I’m proposing.
God, I hope so. I need her to say yes to this proposition. Or I might not have a restaurant. And I’ll probably lose my inheritance too, because the thought of proposing marriage to anyone else, even if it's only in name, is not something I can fathom. I don’t want to examine that closely either.
I decide to go with my instinct. She’s intrigued; I can feel it. I need to play on it.
“You’re not the tiniest bit curious about what this arrangement would look like?”
She purses her lips. I’m sure she’s going to admit that she is, then she tosses her head. “Nope.”
Hmm. I pull out the one thing guaranteed to get a reaction from her.
"I'll also give you a fair shot at becoming head chef of my new restaurant in the city."
She freezes, surprise evident on her features.
"A fair shot?"
"You'd compete for the position with external talent I’m considering for the role."
"Of course. That's only fair." She shifts her weight. "I'm not ready for head chef yet. I know that."
I respect that she can admit it. Most at her level wouldn't.
"You'd continue training with me. I’d evaluate you alongside the other talent. I'd choose whoever's best for the business."
"Right." She says it slowly, processing. "But even being considered for the role—that's huge for me." Her forehead creases. "You're not just offering this to convince me to marry you, are you?"
I decide to go with the truth. “I am.”
She surveys me with shock. “You never compromise on the quality of food in your restaurants.”
“And I’m not in this case, either.”
She blinks. “Is that praise coming from you?”
