Page 35 of Burn for You

I throw my head back against the wall and a hand over my chest. Fucking chill, you stupid heart.

I saw him bare chested my first morning here, when he was washing his car. I thought he was fucking hot then, with that backwards cap situated on his head. But now? I think I need to go to a hypnotist. I need someone to erase that image from my mind, because I have a feeling it’s burned into my corneas. Like it’ll be one of those things I see every time I go to close my eyes.

I’ve always found Rafael infuriatingly attractive. But now my stupid cheeks made it obvious to him, and I have a feeling that will come back to bite me in the ass.

chapter fourteen

RAFAEL

As I lookup from my spot behind the bar, I see a kid standing at the front of Olive&Vine talking to the hosting staff. They look over at me warily and I wave the kid over. He’s who I’ve been waiting for.

Caio and I started the Ruby Cove Entrepreneurial Program for young kids to get an upper hand in the business world. We set the kids up with tutors, or mentors more like, and this year there was an eighteen-year-old kid who wanted to learn the ins and outs of running a restaurant. So here I am, taking on a little apprentice, when I barely enjoy what I do anymore myself. But maybe this will help, funneling my energy into someone who wants to be here, who wants to learn from me.

The door to the kitchen swings open. “Uh, Rafael?”

“Ciao, entra,” I say, and he walks in to meet me.

“I’m Nico, it is so amazing to be here!” His enthusiasm bounces off the walls.

“Yeah—”

“I am just so excited to get started working with you! I have always loved Olive&Vine, and I can’t believe I’m in the kitchen.” He looks around like he’s mesmerized.

The kid’s intense.

“Okay, well let’s get started with the basics. Today I’m going to start you off out on the floor with the serving staff, I want you to get a feel for the energy out there. Tonight will be busy being a Friday, but I’m assuming you have experience?—”

“Ohloads. I’ve spent the last 4 years working in a restaurant, sir.”

“It’s just Rafael.”

“Right, sorry sir-sorry! Rafael.”

I clap a hand on his shoulder, I’m going to have my hands full with this one. “Let’s go get you ready then.”

He nods and I use my hand on his shoulder to spin him around and direct him to the door.

We walk down the hall towards my office. “You can change in here, there’s your uniform.” I point towards where the set of black and whites lay across the edge of the couch.

Nico’s eyes scan the room wearily. “Do you have cameras in here?”

I frown. “Why would I need to have security cameras in my own office?”

“I don’t know. Security,” he shrugs.

“Theft isn’t really a big thing here.”

“Hm,” he nods mindlessly.

I pat a hand on his shoulder. “No one’s going to perv on you, Nico. You can change here comfortably and meet me in the kitchen when you’re ready.”

“Okay, thank you, sir.”

I give him a pointed look and he just nods before I shut the door to my office and walk back to the kitchen.

I blow out a breath. My mind can’t help but wander to the fact that two years ago, I would’ve loved nothing more than to take an aspiring chef under my wing. More than that, I wanted to teach an entire class of them. I wanted to spend every single day mentoring, and teaching, and encouraging kids that they could do anything that they wanted to, that their dreams were achievable, and I wanted to help them achieve them.

How things have changed since then.

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