Page 32 of R for Rough

“Uh. Hey, Chefs.”

“Hi!” I grinned.

“Taylor, you ready to take over?”

“Yes, Chef. And here?—”

“Great, thanks.” I accepted the container of marinade, then grabbed the sampler platter for table nine, and I left the kitchen. Adam and Griffin were busy at the grill. “Number two sampler for table nine, and here’s the marinade, Chef.” I placed thecontainer next to Griffin’s station, where he was blackening shrimp to perfection. Next, I turned to Adam. “Brisket, garlic chicken, and burnt ends.”

He nodded, busy working on sliders.

Fridays were always extra busy, so I grabbed them each a bottle of water and removed the caps. Then I reminded Griffin of the eight-o’clock reservation—a larger party of twelve. They’d be seated upstairs for a birthday celebration, and they were here for Griffin’s seafood. Alessia had also picked up a birthday cake at Treats, because we didn’t offer many dessert options.

“Do you want me to prepare your meal now, Chef?” I asked Griffin.

He exchanged a glance with Adam.

“Yeah, you better take your break now,” Adam replied. “I’ll go after.”

It was settled. Considering how busy we were, I opted for food I could put together quickly, so I borrowed a corner of Griffin’s grill top and added six scallops and a shrimp skewer. Then I grabbed a plate we could share and stole some brisket.

“Two minutes, Chef.”

“Heard,” Griffin responded.

Back in the kitchen, I plated garlic mash, salad, and two bread rolls. “Okay, I’m taking my break now. Jon, can you assist Adam?”

“Yes, Chef.”

He followed me out of the kitchen, and I got the last of the food while Griffin gave Jon instructions. Everything was on the grill already, so Jon just had to be an extra set of hands for Adam. Halibut was delicious, until it was left on the grill for twenty seconds too long.

These two amazing chefs had created several favorites for me on the menu, but I was a burger and sandwich guy. So Adam’s leftover brisket sandwich…? To die for. And Griffin’s halibut andshrimp po’ boy. The latter—man, oh man, the butter he drizzled over had this seasoning that made my mouth water.

A couple minutes later, Griffin and I traded the busy barbecue heat for utter silence out in the cold. We were both sweaty, and the lawn chairs outside the kitchen back door had our names on them.

“C’mere. I want you on my lap.”

He kept saying the best things ever.

I beamed and sat down sideways across his lap, and he dropped a kiss to my shoulder as I placed our plate on the rickety table next to us.

“Let’s get my Daddy fed.” I unwrapped the utensils and shifted the plate closer to him.

“I love when you call me that.”

I loved saying it. “It’s who you are. Right?”

“For as long as you’ll have me.”

How about eternity?

We ate in comfortable silence, except when he reminded me to eat my veggies too. I crossed my eyes but obeyed, and he just smiled and shook his head. I was fairly certain we were both reveling in us finally being together, and I couldn’t wait to?—

I perked up when I heard the door open, and I stuffed half a roll into my mouth and glanced over my shoulder.

Alessia.

With a shit-eating grin.

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