“Want to know a secret?” Moving closer, Tristan took a look around, as if there were eavesdroppers. “I didn’t get my degree either.”
“Really?” Jax blurted, heading toward the oven to keep the focaccia bread from burning. “What did you go to school for?”
“I started with marketing, but then I ended up in hospitality management. My university kept messing around with the graduation requirements, and I eventually gave up.” Tristan shrugged. “It hasn’t hurt my career, but I’ve been lucky.”
Taking the bread out and placing it aside to cool, Jax turned back to Tristan, giving him a kiss on the lips. “I know it sounds silly, but that kind of made me feel better about it. What are youdoingto me?”
“Nothing yet,” Tristan’s tone had Jax’s dick twitching.
Placing the ball of his tongue piercing between his teeth, Jax smiled dangerously. “Then you’ll need your strength.” With a wink, he returned to the stove, finishing up, and once he had everything plated, they settled at the bar, where Tristan stared at his dish.
“Can I take a picture of this?” he asked breathlessly.
“Go for it,” Jax laughed, happy that Tristan was already pleased with his food.
Whipping out his phone, Tristan grabbed a bunch of photos before putting the first forkful in his mouth. Aside from the ravioli, there was also focaccia bread, roasted vegetables, and a side salad with Jax’s special greendressing, made from avocados, pistachios, parsley, lime, salt, oil, and a little jalapeño for kick.
Happy to be sitting, Jax looked down at his own plate, and he had to admit that he’d outdone himself down to the presentation, his pride reaching new heights as Tristan moaned decadently.
“It’s gross, right?” Jax chuckled, making sure he had enough sauce on his bite before he took it. Everything melded together wonderfully, the flavors playing off each other, and he couldn’t help his smug grin. The cooking gods had definitely been helping him tonight, because this was the best rendition yet.
Good, because this guest was above VIP. He was TIP,TheImportant Person.
“You understand that all food after this will be a disappointment,” Tristan managed to get out between bites.
“Not ifImake it.” Jax sampled the bread as well, his eyebrows flying up as the texture hit perfectly.
“Is that an offer? Will you be my private chef?” He put his hands together, as if he were praying.
“Can you afford me?” It was meant to be a joke, but something flitted over Tristan’s face, and the words hung for a heartbeat too long. However, Tristan recovered quickly.
“I might have to get a second job. I hear The Pointe needs servers.” Trying the salad, he stopped and stared again. “This tastes like green heaven!”
“Thank you.” Jax had been complimented on his food too many times to count, but Tristan’s sincerity had him blushing, and they easily fell into conversation once more, the topics rotating until they eventually hit The Pointe.
“How do you feel about taking over the kitchen in a few weeks?” Tristan’s plate was clean. Without asking, Jax stood and got him seconds.
“I admit, I’m worried.” Once he’d correctly plated everything, he handed the dish to Tristan, and the way his eyes glimmered made Jax want to sit in his lap.
“Thank you.” He dug right in. “And there’s no need to worry. You have backup in me and everyone else.”
“I hope so,” Jax breathed, settling back down and mopping up hisleftover sauce with a slice of bread.
“You hope so?” Leaning in, Tristan’s face was all concern. “What’s going on?”
Jax finished the bread, gathering his thoughts.
“Someone in the kitchen is messing with me. Things are going missing and then turning up in a completely different place.” Saying it aloud had his fury slowly simmering, heating his face.
Shock flickered through Tristan’s gaze.
“It wasn’t just the celery?” he frowned.
“It wasn’t,” Jax replied. “And it’s happened too many times.”
“How many?” Tristan’s voice was indignant on his behalf.
“Five. And for the last one, they grabbed one of my knives. I found it on a high shelf in the back of the kitchen. I want to call it out, but I have zero evidence, and I don’t trust myself to handle it professionally. I need to keep this job.” Jax chuckled to hide how awkward he was feeling. “I guess you’re rubbing off on me.”
