Page 22 of The Problem with Dating

“It seems Nathan and Lee didn’t deal with false hope.” She shrugged her shoulders and seemed detached from my trying to scold her.

“Tatiana.”

“Alejandro.”

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. I thought she would call me chef or Alex, not my full damn name. “I hired you because—”

“Because I am a true asset to the team with my connections to the small town. Let’s be honest, Alex. You aren’t small town. You don’t give off that energy.”

“I’m not trying to be small town.”

“Well, you have to try, at least. Otherwise, this restaurant will not make it. And I’m the cross point to make it easier for you. If you get the small-town people to like you, you can make this place successful.”

“I don’t care if these people like me. People will come from out of town.”

“Yes, and then they will return to their homes, leaving you with us. You’ll need us just as much as we’ll need you. You’ll need friends. That’s the thing about this small town. It’s a community. You might as well join it instead of being an outsider. I noticed the harassment some of these people have been giving you.”

“You want me to give in to the bullies?” I groaned at the simple idea.

“No. Of course not.” She shook her head and reached out for my hand. She patted it and gave me a sense of comfort I didn’t ask for. That was…annoying.

And…kind.

Whatever.

“You don’t join the bullies of the town, Alex. You join the community. Then the community will be there for you to shut up the bullies. You can’t do this alone and shouldn’t want to.”

I sighed and pulled my hand from her touch. It bothered me that her words felt true.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Tatiana?”

“Yes?”

“No more bringing talented people into my restaurant, all right?”

“Oh, but Carol from the chocolate shop down the way—”

“Tatiana.”

She tossed her hands up in defeat. “Okay, okay. No more partnerships for now.”

“Or ever.”

“Never say never. It closes off the possibility of miracles.” She stood from her chair. “I’d love to keep talking, but I must get to work. We’re opening soon, you know. I have to make sure things are in order ’round these parts.”

She excused herself from the table, and I sat there, a bit thrown off about who was in control of our conversation. For some reason, it felt like Tatiana was my employer, not the other way around.

As everyone returned to work, I glanced out the restaurant's front window to the dog shop. I crossed my arms and watched the owner interact with her customers and their dogs. I wasn’t sure who was more excited to deal with her—the humans or their pets. Either way, laughter and smiles were spread from that woman as if her middle name was Giggly.

I grumbled as I studied her. She had her hair down and her curls bounced whenever she laughed. She wore a flowy blue dress, and the widest smile I’d ever seen. It was a beautiful grin, and she gave it to everyone who crossed her path. That felt ridiculous to me. Not every person deserved such a genuine smile, which made me think it was…ingenious. Maybe. I didn’t know.

All I knew was that I sometimes struggled to look away from her. Her features pulled me in. Deep dimples and dark eyes that smiled almost more than her lips. Curves that made every article of clothing she wore look as if it was custom-designed for her body. Lips that were full, plump, and—

“Tatiana,” I called out.

“Yes, Alex?” she replied, walking over to me.

“Who is that?” I asked, nodding toward the woman across the street who was laughing as a huge mutt jumped on her, licking her face to filth. Disgusting.

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