Page 14 of My Heart Belongs to You

Every recipe used at Brie & Bordeaux was inspired by the many lessons she taught me in the kitchen. Her influence was ever-present in my life, not just inside the kitchen. My family and I never missed an opportunity to give her the recognition she deserved. She gave birth to two generations of chefs and restaurateurs; we didn’t take her influence lightly.

The chime resounded throughout the restaurant, alerting me of Nadir's prompt arrival. I peered through the window from the service area, waiting for him to round the corner. The dining room wasn’t complete, but I knew he was eager to see the updates. Nadir glanced around the restaurant while nodding. His gaze lingered on the artwork on the wall. My heart fluttered at the smile on his face. He hadn’t seen the restaurant since I had the walls painted a warm terracotta color and the new sepia laminate floors were installed.

Before he could catch me staring, I busied myself with our food. Reaching for my phone, I lowered the music playing.

“All this for me?” Nadir asked as he strolled into the kitchen.

The smile in his voice matched the charming one on his face as he walked over to me. I tugged on the bottom of my chef’s coat, unable to contain my excitement. I removed it in enough time to hug him. The moment he was within arm’s reach, a throng of butterflies filled my stomach.

“Hey,” I breathed, wrapping my arms around his neck. Biting down on my bottom lip, I inhaled his citrusy, bergamot scented cologne.

“Wassup,” he replied, squeezing me tightly, like he always did. “You finally made time for me, huh?”

His deep, gravelly voice sent warmth through me.

“Stop it. I always have time for you.”

“Not lately,” he said, stepping back to meet my gaze. His hold on my waist remained firm as he awaited my reply. My eyes roved his russet brown skin, from his slanted chocolate-colored eyes to the wide bridge of his nose until I stopped at his lips. The same soft lips that left sweet kisses on my forehead from time to time. “I’m just playing with you,” he told me moments later.

The sweet smirk on his lips pulled at my heart.

My gaze returned to his. “I know.”

I ended our embrace once my senses kicked in and moved to the counter where the food was waiting.

“The dining area looks nice. Sadé painted?”

I nodded while smiling. “She is finishing the rest this week.”

Sadé painted grapevines in the corners of the restaurant and inscribed, “Cooking is an act of love”—a saying my abuelita used often—above the kitchen entrance. She was finishing up a vineyard mural in the dining room. It looked beautiful so far and I couldn't wait to see the finished product.

“So what’s on the menu, Chef? What am I trying today?”

“I made a few things for us.”

He chuckled before listening as I listed each item.

“In the fridge is dessert. I made tembleque and panetela.” I clapped my hands together, excited to dabble in each dish. Nadir’s mouth curved into a mischievous half-smile.

“What?”

“You got that twinkle in your eye, princesa,” he said.

When he called me by my family name, I didn't feel chafed like I did by my siblings. Every time my nickname rolled off his tongue, goosebumps covered my skin. He said it like he should’ve been the only one worthy of calling me such a name. I hated how much I loved hearing it from him. There was no way I’d ever tell him because he’d never stop.

“Ha-ha,” I said dryly, and he chuckled. “You love to tease me.”

“I do.” Nadir rubbed his hands together while eyeing everything. “Where do we start?”

Again, I looked over his appearance. I expected him to dress more casually since it was just us trying my dishes. But I wasn't mad at the all-black fit he sported. Stretched across the broad expanse of his chest in elegant script was the word, Ray’s. The high-quality cotton shirt was tucked into his tailored slacks.

“First, mofongo and tostones. I can’t decide which one to put on the menu.”

I grabbed two stools for us to sit, then handed him a set of silverware.

Nadir nodded while eyeing the plated dishes. “I’ve had mofongo before, remember?”

“Yes, but I tweaked the recipe a bit, and as you can see, this one has shrimp. The one you had before didn’t.”