Page 38 of Saving Me
Using my key, I walk into the vast kitchen. Gleaming appliances line the walls with plenty of ovens and countertop space for the larger events that come through. The room in the back has a huge built-in cooler and racks for cooling and packaging food. Just seeing all the cookware and her spotless kitchen makes my hands restless to create something.
“Lyla! What a pleasant surprise. What are you doing here in the middle of the day? I’m surprised Al let you out of his sight long enough to let you come visit me,” she laughs, coming out from her office.
“I actually quit yesterday and started a new job today.”
“It’s about time! I don’t know how you stayed with that creepy ass for as long as you did. So where are you working now?” She sits down on one of the stools by the counter, and I do the same.
“Someone needed a private chef and some light housekeeping done. I’m not charging him for work, but the job comeswith a beautiful place to live, transportation, and all my meals. It will allow me to work on my business. I also got the account with Blue Haven Cafe. I plan to walk around to more local businesses tomorrow to see if they might be interested.”
“Oh, I’m so proud of you, Lyla! You are on your way. I can feel it. Before you know it, you’ll have your own bakery just like you always dreamed of,” she beams like a proud parent.
“It’s a step in the right direction. It finally feels like it might be within reach. If I can get a few more accounts, I’ll be able to start saving for a space to rent.”
“It’s going to happen. I’m sure of it. So, how in the world did you land the private chef job? Who are you working for?”
“I uh,” I place my hair behind my ear as my face starts to feel warm. “It’s just someone I met at the wedding we just catered,” trying to sound nonchalant.
“Oh no, you don’t. There’s a story to tell. You are blushing like a schoolgirl who just got asked to prom,” she laughs.
I sigh, knowing I’ve never been able to hide my feelings from her. “His name is Jake Montgomery. It’s just him and his brother sharing a house, and he’s been looking for someone to prepare meals for him since he works odd hours. It’s no big deal.”
“TheJake Montgomery, as in the tattoo artist Jake Montgomery?” Her eyes are wide behind her dark glasses.
“Yes,” I say confused. “Do you know him?”
“Not personally, but everyone knows of the Montgomery brothers. They are a very hot commodity around here. Ryder is in every car magazine nationwide, and Jake and Travis have people fly in from all over the world to get tattooed by them. Travis also specializes in portrait art and is in several galleries now. Miles is a drummer in a band, and since they started touring, their shows sell out in minutes. Don’t get me started on the ladies. Two are married now and off the market, but girlsline up in droves. No one has been able to catch Jake or Miles…until now,” she grins.
“I haven’t caught Jake. He’s my boss, and I’m his employee. End of story.” I lie through my teeth, hoping she will believe me. I don’t want word getting out about us…not that there is an us.
Small towns talk, and if he’s as well known as she says, I don’t want my name and whereabouts getting out to the public. I need to put things in motion first before I even think of contacting Tim to put our past behind us. Even then, I don’t want him to know where I live.
“You are so lying,” she laughs, “but don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
“Thank you.”
“Promise me one thing, though.”
What is it with people and their promises? I try not to roll my eyes when she raises her eyebrow at me.
“What’s the promise?” I sigh.
“Don’t let your past dictate your future. From what I’ve heard about Jake, he has a good heart and comes from an amazing family. Don’t punish him for something that happened in your past relationship. Be open to love, dear. If anyone deserves their happy ever after, it’s you.” She pats my arm, and I blink the tears that threaten to spill.
I nod my head, unable to speak through the lump in my throat. If only it were that easy.
“So, did you come all this way just to tell me this wonderful news, or did you come by for another reason?”
“I wanted to see if it would be okay if I could borrow some of your old muffin tins. I have an order due tomorrow, and the two pans at Jake’s house are not going to cut it,” I say with a small laugh. “I promise to bring them back when I’m done.”
“Of course,” she waves toward the back room. “I was going to donate those old tins anyway, so take whatever you need fromthe back. I have extra boxes back there, too, if you need something to package them in.”
“Thank you. I can’t tell you how much this means to me,” I say, getting up and hugging her tightly.
“You are more than welcome, dear. You can thank me by giving Jake a big hug and telling me what it feels like to have his gorgeous body wrapped around you. He is one fine man.”
“Clara!” I laugh. “I knew you were a force to be reckoned with in the catering industry, but I had no idea a cougar was lying in the mist, ready to pounce.”
“I may be old, honey, but I’m not blind,” she laughs.
