Page 10 of Losing My Rejection

“H-How…” I stared down at the innocuous-looking cinnamon roll. “How is this so good?”

“I have no idea! The guy is fucking magic, I’m telling you!”

“You didn’t know he could cook?”

“Not at all! Last night he just made us both gnocchi for dinner. From scratch in like thirty-five minutes. It was the best damn meal I’ve ever had in that kitchen.” Sam leaned forward, pulling a small piece from my cinnamon roll without asking and stuffed it into his mouth. “I have fifteen guests at the hotel. He made three dozen of these this morning and I nearly had to break an arm just to get one to bring to you.”

“Christ.”

“I know! I’ve never seen people so keen on pastries before. Even when I put your stuff out, they don’t go that nuts!” He paused, glancing up at me. “No offense.”

“None fucking taken,” I scoffed, pulling the cinnamon roll away from Sam so he couldn’t steal another piece. “This is incredible.” I took another bite. “Who the hell is this guy?”

“No idea. Don’t know hardly a damn thing about him.”

“Werewolf?”

“Obviously.”

“Background?”

Sam shook his head. “Not a damn clue.”

“Temperament?”

“Understandably grumpy.”

“I can deal with that,” I replied. “When can he start?”

“When do you want him?”

“Tomorrow,” I said, a hopeful warmth growing in my chest. “Nine o’clock. I’ll have some things prepped so I can see what he can do.”

Sam gestured at the cinnamon roll. “That’s not enough to convince you?”

“I want to make sure it’s not a fluke.”

“He’s the real deal,” Sam nodded. “I can promise you that.”

“I hope so. I can’t tell you how tired I am. I’ve been burning the candle at both ends and in the middle all damn summer.” I paused just long enough to stuff the rest of the roll in my mouth. “I haven’t even been out to the beach yet! It’s fucking September!”

“Well, maybe this guy will finally allow you to take some much needed time off,” Sam smiled. “And I have a feeling he could use the distraction. He’s been a bit surly ever since he showed up. Not that I can blame him.”

“Surly I can deal with. As long as he can bake.”

“I’ll send him your way then. Tomorrow morning. Nine o’clock.”

“I look forward to it.”

Sam got up from his stool, gave me a wave, and headed out the door. I heard the bell out front ring once more as he left.

I stood there for a long moment, staring down at the bench full of dough in front of me, the empty to-go container still smeared with cinnamon sugar. I hoped this tenant of Sam’s was everything he claimed. The prospect of having some time to myself was everything I wanted. Well, maybe not everything. I dipped my finger into the clamshell, gathering up the leftover sticky sweetness inside.

Getting some dick this summer would be nice.

Chapter Six: Josh

I was up before dawn. After Sam pulled me aside the night before, telling me he got me a job as a cook at a local cafe, I could barely sleep. The thought of getting back into a kitchen and doing some real cooking again was what I really needed. Hell, I’d even managed a smile after that news. It was amazing how easy it was to forget how shitty my life was when I could still do something I loved. For the moment I could say to hell with my father and just focus on getting back into the swing of things.

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