Page 142 of Crazy for this Girl

“Define inappropriate for me, Miss Reese. I’d love to know if your definition differs from mine.”

“You know what I mean.” And I love how she doesn’t get so easily offended anymore. “Did you decide if you were going to use one of those chefs?” I shake my head. “What’s got you hung up?”

You.

“Just figuring out which one would work best here. Although, I’d love to hire both.”

Laynee shrugs. “So do it. If the budget is big enough to staff both, I mean. Everyone has different tastes, obviously. I think both chefs can bring something different to the table. Chef Pierre has a very precise method to him. His presentation is phenomenal. He can make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich look like a five-star meal. And Chef Mallory is more of a soul-food sorta deal. Home cooking in the big city, especially on a rainy day. Chef Pierre is your date night, we don’t have the kids tonight sorta guy. However, he can serve food for families that stay at your hotel. Chef Mallory, she’s an all-day every day, I don’t like fancy garland on my dishes kinda gal.”

“And how would we separate the two?”

“Alternate days, I guess. Maybe on the weekend, have them both here. A friendly competition might inspire.”

I lift a brow. “You want two chefs to share a kitchen?”

“How big’s the kitchen?”

“Big.”

“I’m sure with the salary you’d be offering them, they could make it work.”

“And if one refuses?”

“There’s plenty of chefs that want more. They wouldn’t be hard to find. Besides, Detroit was only an option. Texas BBQ I’m sure would be killer.”

“And messy.”

Laynee smirks. “Since when are you afraid of getting your hands dirty, Mr. Harper? Regardless of the suit, I didn’t peg you as turning into a total snob.”

“Not at all,” I object. “In fact, it’s what I’m planning on.”

Poor Laynee doesn’t know that when I want something, I usually get it. And if I can’t right away, I find any means necessary to bag the deal.

And she’s a lifetime of deals, wants, and hopes that I want to seal.

“Then I highly recommend it,” she replies. “Who doesn’t want options?”

“Depends if the options don’t work in my favor.”

Her brows furrow. “Does the budget not fit it? I can come up with some more ideas. I didn’t know if you wanted me to help or just let your restaurant team handle it.”

“I’m grateful for your help.” I close some of the distance between us. “However, that’s not what I was referring to.”

She takes a heart-stabbing step back, but I don’t move. I watch her muddle over my words and the shit I’m implying.

Whatever she thinks it is, I can only imagine, but she’s more than likely right.

“I think we should hurry up and get this lunch thing over with my mom.” She takes a cautious step forward as if I’m going to pounce on her at any second. Told you Laynee wasn’t stupid. “I just need to grab my purse.”

“And dodge me for the rest of the day.”

It’s not a question.

We might talk a little freer, she might look at me longer without wanting to throw the nearest and hardest object at my head, but she’s still closed off from me.

I fucked that up in Detroit when she put another layer of wall back up to protect herself from me.

“This is a good enough time as any,” I state nonchalantly. “To piss your mom off and for me to get out what I want to say.” Laynee pales likes she’s going to get sick, but it’s now or never. To make my move or forever hold my peace.

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