Page 105 of A Perfect Match
“I haven’t tried any of his food yet,” Dane admits.
“I’ve heard good things,” Asher mutters, though it sounds grudging.
“He’s number one in the Best of Bayshore competition right now,” Griffin says, and it’sclearlygrudging.
“You guys are going to love whatever he makes you,” I promise.Grayson and his crew get their things packed up.We settle on a construction plan—basically part-time, based on when at least two of my brothers can help out at the same time—which feels like a major relief.I don’t have to sacrifice my every waking moment to make this become a reality.
I have a plan.I have support.I have the best family.And boyfriend.
We all slowly trickle toward Ray’s.Inside, it’s totally empty, since today is Kru’s off day.However, he called in help just for us.Brady waves at us as we come inside, taking our orders quickly since Grayson and his guys need to move on to their main project of the day.Kru and Brady disappear into the back.As we wait for the food, I’m taking in the restaurant alongside my brothers.They look impressed, if not a bit in awe.
“Did he build that bar himself?”Jett asks, nodding toward the pennies.
“He had help,” I say with a grin, “but it was modeled after his dad’s idea.Kru lost his father about five years ago, and this restaurant is in his honor.”
Dane smiles softly at me.“He’s a good dude, huh?”
“The best,” I say.
Soon, Kru and Brady are coming out of the kitchen with our meals.Plates of braised short rib tacos, pistachio crusted salmon, tuna salad wraps and more are set down for our hungry table.Kru slips into the chair at my side.Everyone is oohing and aahing, but I stop short when I notice Asher has ordered the lobster with the brown butter sauce and nutmeg marshmallow.
“I had to see for myself what the number one dish in Bayshore is like,” he says.
“We know Piper has the true number one dish though,” Jett clarifies.
Kru just smiles, taking it in stride.“She’s not just the true number one dish in Bayshore.She is also part ofthatnumber one dish in Bayshore.”He gestures to Asher’s plate.“Those are her marshmallows.And I think that’swhyI slid into first place, because of her addition.”
I reach for his hand under the table.He winks at me, giving me a squeeze.
“We’re better together,” I say in a singsong voice.
“Lobsters and marshmallows are a perfect match,” he says, before dipping down to give me a kiss.My brothers groan, even though it’s barely a peck.I love that we’re at kissing-in-front-of-my-brothers status already.
Everybody digs in, and soon our table is a raucous chorus of contented murmurs and delicious exclamations.As they eat, my brothers offer their feedback, which Kru laps up.Asher is notably silent, until I realize it’s because he’s beeninhalinghis food.He doesn’t utter a word until the plate is totally cleared, minus the shell.Then he pushes it aside, looking over at Kru.
“Phenomenal,” he says.“The marshmallow mixed with the sauce…”
“It’s great, isn’t it?”Kru winks over at me.
Grayson and his crew are the first to head out after a big round of compliments to the chef.It’s just us Keegans and Kru at the table when Dane’s phone buzzes.He frowns down at the screen.
“Mom just texted.She said they found a safe in the rubble at the bakery.”
“Is it hers?”I ask.
“She says it’s not, but it has our last name inscribed in it.”Dane frowns at his phone for a moment longer then looks up at us.“There’s a combination lock and she’s tried to open it but can’t.”
“Okay.Mysterious gift from the fire,” Griffin mutters.
“We have to figure out how to open it,” I say.
“I guess we’ll start trying combinations,” Jett adds.“Starting with all zeroes.”
We chat about what a mysterious safe might contain, especially one with our last name on itandone that Mom doesn’t already know about.After some spirited discussion, Dane, Asher, and Jett head out, claiming they need to get back to work.
I let out a contented sigh.“I think that was the best lunch I’ve ever had.Both from a flavor standpointanda personal standpoint.”
“That’s what we shoot for here at Ray’s,” Kru jokes.
