Page 17 of All Her Broken Pieces

“Smells good, bro. So you finally convinced Bridget to see you again?” Alyx asks.

“I did, actually. Sorry to cook and run, but I need to plate this and head over there.”

“No worries. I can clean your station and then prep for service tonight.” Alyx starts moving around me, stacking up pans and carrying them to the dishwasher.

“Thanks, I owe you,” I shout at his retreating back as I pack up the last of the meal I created. “Oh, and tell Mina to take the wine out of my next check,” I say, holding up the bottle for him to see.

Bridget lives just a few blocks from the restaurant, which was a pleasant surprise to learn the other night. I’m knocking on her door when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I juggle the bags to retrieve my phone.

Bridget

I can’t do tonight.

Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I knock harder on the door. “Bridget, open up!” The distinct noise of her moving around her apartment is obvious as I stand in her hallway.

“Why are you so early? It’s only four-thirty,” she calls through the door.

“I’d love to tell you if you open the door.”

“I can’t. Let’s reschedule.”

“We can do that, but I still have food for you. If you open the door, I can set it up and then take off, if you want.”

The door cracks open, and I see one gorgeous blue eye emerge under the chain in the door. “I’m not prepared for company. I’m not wearing makeup, nor am I dressed. I can’t, I’m sorry.”

She’s flustered, and I can tell something is wrong. “I really don’t care what you’re wearing, and I meant what I said. I can drop this food and go, but please let me in. Unless you want your neighbors to hear our conversation?” I flash her a smile. The door closes, and I hear her mutter something about a dimple while she fumbles with the chain before it opens again, and I step inside.

Standing behind the door, she gestures to her right. “Kitchen’s over there.”

She’s in black sweats and a cream-colored tank top. It must have a built-in bra because her puckered nipples are peeking through the fabric, taunting me. I’m honestly not sure why she’s worried about no makeup when we’ve showered together and I already know she looks great without it. “Hey, sweetheart, you look beautiful,” I whisper before giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

I walk over to the kitchen and begin unpacking the bags as she closes the door and saunters over.

“Look, I’m not feeling well, and I…did you get food from Mangia Bene? I thought you said you were cooking. That’s cheating.” She reaches for the bag and pulls out one of the containers. “Ugh, this smells so good. How did you know it’s my favorite restaurant? They make this tortellini dish with brown butter and sage that’s to die for. It’s not on the normal menu, so I have to call and ask for the specials to see when they have it.”

“Sorry about that. It’s my signature dish, and we only offer it when I’m leading service.”

The look on her face is priceless. Her eyes are huge, and her mouth is hanging open in shock. “Are you telling me that you’re a chef at my favorite restaurant and you’re responsible for my favorite meal?”

“It appears so.” I smile as I pull the tortellini out of the bag and place it in front of her. “You can’t tell me this doesn’t mean something.”

Her eyebrows furrow. “It’s just a coincidence. It’s not a big deal…” she starts before grabbing her abdomen and wincing.

“Are you okay?” I move over to her, unsure of what she needs but feeling distraught over the pain flashing across her face.

After several deep breaths, she straightens. “It’s nothing, I’m just not feeling well.”

“Where does it hurt? You’re holding your abdomen. Could it be appendicitis?”

“It’s not appendicitis. I’m fine.” Her hand moves from her abdomen to her lower back before my brain fills in the blanks.

“Have you taken anything for the pain? Where’s your heating pad? Point me in the direction of what you need, and I’ll take care of it. Go sit on the couch.”

The little huffing noises she’s making are cute. I move toward the cupboards, about to look for painkillers, before she relents with a huge sigh. “Aleve is in the cabinet next to the fridge, and my heating pad is on my bed. How did you?—”

“I have five sisters.” She walks down the hall while I grab the Aleve and get her a glass of water. After I finish plating the food, I carry it into the living room and set it down on the table with the water and pills. She disappeared into her bedroom, so I knock before entering. I don’t see her inside. But I spot the heating pad, grab it, and head back to the living room. There’s an outlet near her pile of blankets, and I plug it in and turn it on as she enters the room.

“Were you trying to cancel our date because you got your period?”

---