Page 428 of Savage Bosses

Tati nodded. "But that's the past. He's with Melinda now."

Sybil cocked her head to the side. "With how he's acting, I don't think he's over you. And his mama only gushes about you. She never has nice words for Melinda. Don't tell me you're going to be the manager's new lady soon," Sybil said, smiling.

"I'm not looking for love and don't want to break up a happy home."

Another chef leaned closer and whispered, "From what I heard, their home ain't happy. Since you've been here, this is the sweetest I've seen Bryce be to Melinda. We're all nice to her because she said she would marry him one day. But I've never heard him say that."

Tati shrugged. "It's not my business. Plus, Melinda comes from a powerful family. I don't want to make her too mad," Tati whispered, fishing for information, and she may have just caught something.

Sybil moved in even closer. "Yeah, you have to be careful. I heard that last year, she saw Bryce talking to a woman at a sporting event. A week later, the woman lost her job and her house. She ended up moving in with her parents."

"Really?" Tati asked. "Who was this woman?"

"I don't know her. It's just gossip. But I can see it happening. So, it's best if you don't anger her."

Tati planned to do more than just anger her. But she smiled and pretended to be sweet and innocent when inside, she was ready to be vicious. Tatianna looked around the kitchen, nodding gratefully at her colleagues.

"Thanks, guys. I appreciate you tasting my desserts and letting me know I haven't lost my touch," she said. "Now, get back to work before the big bad wolf returns."

Her coworkers scurried away to finish their tasks. No matter how much Bryce tried to bring her down, she wouldn't let him tarnish her love for baking.

Hours flew by in a blur of flour, sugar, and determination. The kitchen hummed with activity as the chefs worked tirelessly. Despite her best efforts, however, each dessert was met with rejection after rejection from Bryce.

"Is he serious?" Valentina, a young pastry chef, muttered, her eyes narrowing as Bryce had callously tossed aside another plate and stormed out of the kitchen. "These are amazing!"

When three o'clock rolled around and it was time for her to go home, Bryceson insisted she pull a double. She'd wanted to protest. She had plans to meet up with her mother and Mrs. Cattaneo to talk about their plan. But Bryceson was dead set on her staying until closing.

Not wanting to complain because she knew that's what he expected her to do, she agreed to stay. Her presence wasn't needed at all because not one of her desserts made it out of the kitchen the entire day.

Everything she baked was rejected. Tatianna's eyes scanned the now-empty cafe as she wiped down the countertops one last time. Her body ached from the long hours and relentless work.

"Finally, I can lock this place up," Bryce muttered, striding towards the door without looking back.

He saw her standing there. Was he going to lock her inside?

He looked over his shoulder. "Are you staying the night here? If so, I'll have to charge you rent."

In her mind, she punched him three times. Tati washed and dried her hands before leaving the store with him exiting behind her. The click of the lock echoed in the night, signaling the end of her torturous shift.

"Good night, Bryce," she said, forcing a polite smile.

He merely grunted in response, his jaw clenched and eyes cold. She couldn't help but wonder what had happened to the man she once loved - the man who would have done anything to protect her. Sure, she'd left him. But that shouldn't have turned him this cold. Oh, right. Marco. How could she let that slip her mind for even a second?

"Are you going to stand there staring at me all night," Bryce asked.

Fuck. She was staring.

"Insane," Bryce mumbled, shoving his hands into his pockets as he strode out into the night.

Tatianna sighed and followed him. As they walked to their cars, Tatianna couldn't help but notice that Bryce seemed to be lingering, almost as if he was waiting for her to make it to her vehicle safely. She shook her head, dismissing the thought as wishful thinking. Why would he care? She had left him, after all.

"Your desserts were shit today," Bryce blurted out, breaking the silence between them.

"Thank you for the feedback," she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "I'll remember that tomorrow."

"Don't just remember it. Do better," he called out.

"Yes, sir," she yelled from the other side of the parking lot.

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