“I love you,” she says, grabbing three of the fried mac and cheese balls.
“I know, but you’ll hate me when you find out there are spiced pear cream puffs walking around somewhere.”
Her eyes widen, then she shoves Liem’s shoulder. “Go find them!” He accepts his mission with a chuckle. When he’s two steps away, her head snaps to me. “That manlovesyou.”
“Stop it.”
“I won’t! All he does is brag about you like you’re his favorite person in the world.” I might be. “If you don’t take that man home and suck the life out of him, I—”
She stops when the art director from before leans into my view. “It’s Ambrielle, right?”
“Yes. Bri for short.”
Keisha takes her cue to sneak off like a patron who was berating a waiter, not my bestie bothering me when I’m getting paid to serve. “What you did tonight was very impressive. Do you have a background in art history or design?”
“A little of both, unofficially. I spent most of my free time in galleries and museums growing up, and I have a degree in industrial design.”
She nods at her inner thoughts. “If you’re interested, this is my assistant’s number.” She holds out a business card between her first two fingers. “Give her a call. I may have an opportunity for you.”
Shock steals my words for a moment. “Oh, uh, thank you. Thank you so much.”
Wordlessly, she nods and strolls away. I stare at the card in my hand, taking in the modish logo and the handwritten number scrawled on the back. Someone takes something from my tray, and I remember that I’m supposed to be working. Tucking the card into my pants pocket, I feel my heart race with excitement. Good things come to those who wait, but I didn’t think that meant I literally had to be a waiter.
I go to the back to trade out my empty tray again for the next one available, then rush out to find my friends, ignoring how much more relaxed I feel when it’s Liem I spot first.
I tug his arm. “The art director of this show just gave me her assistant’s number! She wants to interview me for a gallery job or something.”
His jaw drops—the reaction I had to suppress when it happened. “Are you for real?”
“I’msofor real. Look.” I show him the number.
“That’s amazing.” He pulls me into a hug that’s tighter than expected from one arm. I rest my cheek against his chest. Even in the tightness of his grasp, I breathe easier.
“I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but . . . this might be my dream job.”
When he starts to say something, a voice grumbles in my ear, “Where are my cream puffs, bitch?” Keisha interrupts again.
“Right there, hormone monster.” I point to the pile of puffs in Liem’s napkin-protected hands.
“Thank. You,” she says, emphasizing both words as if they are separate sentences. She devours one, barely chewing. “Fuck, that is the best thing I’ve tasted in my life.”
While she gets off on her little bites, the manager calls for Amber.Me. I look at Liem. “You don’t have to stay. Meet you back at the apartment?”
“Sure,” he agrees. “Since you don’t get to eat, want me to make you dinner?”
Why’s he talking dirty to me in public?“Absolutely.”
~
Liem booked an apartment rental rather than a hotel, likely for the sole reason that he could cook for me. He had all the ingredients on a list and picked them up while he was waiting for me to finish cleanup at the gallery. Sitting on the kitchen island countertop behind him, I steal glances at Liem’s ass while he cooks. He has a great body, naturally having the perfect frame for his lean muscle. I can imagine him thickening up when he’s older, the lines on his face adding to his beauty. Why I’m thinking about that, I couldn’t tell you.
My stomach growls loud enough for him to hear. “Your stomach is impatient.”
It’s past midnight, but I’m too horny to sleep and too hungry to fuck. A vicious cycle. “It smells so good in here.”
He grins at my compliment, taking something in his hand and turning back to me. “Here. To tide you over for the last five minutes.”
He holds the cube of meat out to me, floating a hand beneath it to catch any of the sauce that may drip. Liem feeding me is sexier than it should be, though I’m so horny, if he blinks the wrong way, I fear I’ll jump him. I take the bite with my teeth. He waits for my reaction to the saucy sunshine exploding in my mouth. I nod while I chew, and he smiles with pride. That sexy, irresistible smile.
