Page 25 of The Proximity Effect

“Okay, first of all, why are you trying to make fancy grilled sandwiches for lunch?” I was already reaching for a clean cutting board. They should be making simple things that didn’t require twenty components or a lot of prep work.

“The menu says ‘artisanal grilled cheese with seasonal vegetables.’” The male employee, Mike, handed over a piece of paper. “We don’t even know what seasonal vegetables mean since no vegetables grow in the snow.”

I closed my eyes and counted to three. “Right. And who wrote this menu?”

“Evan thought it would class things up a bit.” Liam snorted. “He had it sent out and posted before I could stop him. This is what happens when Archer has a day off.”

Of course he did. “All right, new plan. Mike, grab the tomato soup from the walk-in. The boxed stuff will do for today, and we can spruce it up with fresh croutons, herbs, and freshly grated parmesan. Jenny, find me three different kinds of cheese. Liam...” I paused, examining his face, and then my attention fell to a glob of mayo on his shirt. “Watch and learn.”

He smirked and leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. “I can do that.”

Focus, Tessa. You have dinner prep to do and absolutely no time to notice how his t-shirt pulls across his shoulders and biceps.

I shook my head and got to work, showing them how to prep several sandwiches at once to cut down on time. They caught on fast and were flying through lunch service when I finally was able to start my own prep. I realized I was going to need actual kitchen staff, and soon. There was no way I could handle dinner service alone every night, especially once people realized the food was edible again.

“You’re good at this.” Liam wiped sweat from his brow as he handed off a perfectly golden grilled cheese to a server. “Teaching and cooking.”

“Thanks, though I have to say, for someone who can teach people to hurtle down mountains strapped to a piece of fiberglass, you’re surprisingly good with a spatula.” I watched him flip another sandwich with unexpected grace, his movements becoming more confident with each order.

“What can I say? I take direction well.” The words rolled off his tongue with a hint of suggestion that made me fumble my knife. He must have noticed because his smile widened, clearly enjoying my reaction. “So, I noticed that you’d reserved one of our winter stargazing setups tonight…”

I nearly sliced my finger at the mention of the stargazing. I’d completely forgotten about all the romantic activities I’d booked when this was supposed to be my honeymoon and not my ‘surprise career change while emotionally unstable’ adventure.

“Oh, right. That.” I focused intently on chopping vegetables, avoiding Liam’s gaze. “I should probably cancel it. It’s not like I can take a snowmobile out there by myself, and it would be a waste.”

The thought of going alone to what was meant to be a romantic evening under the stars made my chest tight. The resort had a whole thing planned with champagne, an inflatable loveseat, and cozy blankets. Now it felt like another reminder of how spectacularly my life plans had derailed.

“I could take you.” Liam’s offer was casual, like he was suggesting picking up more tomato soup from the walk-in. “It would be a shame to waste such a clear night.”

I glanced up, trying to read his expression. Was this a pity offer? A friendly gesture? Or something more complicated that would violate those ‘appropriate boundaries’ Archer had been so keen on establishing?

“I don’t want to impose on your evening.” The idea of using the reservation was tempting. When was the last time I’d just sat and looked at the stars?

“You wouldn’t be.” He executed another flawless flip, and his movements had become so natural over the last hour that watching him was almost hypnotic.

This was dangerous territory. Very dangerous. The kind of dangerous that made me want to say yes despite all my better judgment screaming no. But wasn’t that what I was here for? Maybe it was time to be someone new.

“So?” He raised an eyebrow. “What do you say? Want to see why we’re called Sterling Pines under a sky full of stars?”

“Okay,” I found myself saying. “But only if you promise not to let me fall off the snowmobile.”

“Deal.” His smile widened. “Though I should warn you, falling is kind of my specialty. Just ask my snowboarding students.”

I pointed my knife at him playfully. “That’s not reassuring at all.”

“Meet me at the activities desk after service?” There was something in his voice that made my stomach do a little flip.

I nodded, already wondering if I was making a huge mistake. But as I watched him prepare another sandwich, I couldn’t bring myself to regret saying yes.

Besides, it was only stargazing. With a gorgeous man. In a romantic setting. With champagne. Under a blanket of stars. Completely professional. Totally appropriate.

Oh, who was I kidding? I was in so much trouble.

Chapter 10

Unexpected

Liam

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