Page 37 of Now Streaming

Before he could answer, a man dropped into another seat at their table, throwing his ball cap down in frustration. Dressed in a black T-shirt, loose white pants, and an apron, his long, dark hair pulled back into a no-nonsense man bun, his muscled arms were covered in tattoos from his neck to his hands. And the look in his dark eyes said he was ready to strangle someone.

Luckily, he was glaring at Hayden.

“Make this quick. I’m in the middle of a lunch rush and I know Jenny already told you about the fucking strawberries. I’m not in the mood for attitude from you.”

Hayden just grinned at him, seeming not at all worried about the thundercloud of a man invading their space. “Pull out your manners, Theo. We have a guest.”

Theo pulled his hand away from where he had been rubbing his eyes and turned a bleary look to Min. Feeling awkward, she waved.

He turned back to Hayden. “Why?”

“Because.”

“Will she be sympathetic about my strawberries?”

Min immediately nodded. “It’s the worst thing that could’ve happened. I’m surprised you’re even standing and not just in a bathtub listening to Taylor Swift.”

Theo exhaled, loudly, beleaguered. “No one understands.”

Hayden clapped him on the back. “Your food is always delicious. That’s why you constantly overcharge.”

“I already miss the time you weren’t visiting me. Did you put in your order yet?” He was looking at Min when he asked, and she glanced down at her still-closed menu.

“Um, no, not yet.”

“Good, I’ll choose for you.” He grabbed their menus and then he was gone, throwing his hat back on his head and striding back into the kitchen. Everyone in the dining room covertly watched him as he stormed away, and Min couldn’t blame them. She looked at Hayden.

“What just happened?”

He smiled. “You just met Theo Phillips.”

Min started. “Wait,theTheo Phillips? The one who almost made Gordon Ramsey cry? The one who keeps turning down TV shows because he says he just wants to cook? The one who dated that supermodel?”

“Okay, a lot of that is fake, but yes, that Theo Phillips.”

“How the hell do you know him?”

“He’s my brother.”

Min’s jaw officially dropped as a server came over to with a bottle of sparkling water. Her mind scrambled.

“I thought you said this was a business meeting.”

“It is. He’s my partner for my next project.”

“And what project is that?”

Hayden hesitated, and Min was suddenly reminded that this man did not trust easily, did not trust at all, actually, and therefore probably wasn’t happy with her questions. She immediately tried to backpedal. “I’m sorry, I’m being nosey. You don’t have to tell me, it’s your business.”

Hayden glanced around the room, making sure they were being ignored and that his voice wouldn’t carry.

“Theo’s investing in the video game I’m trying to make.”

Min’s eyes widened. “Wait, you’re making a video game? On your own? Holy shit.”

“I’m trying,” he nodded. “It’s been challenging, but we recently hired a few new designers to help with the build. The whole process is moving slower than I’d like, but it’s something I’ve been dreaming of doing for forever.”

“Hayden, that’s amazing. Like, truly amazing.”

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