Page 74 of Oh, Sacred Dark
“I mostly sell sweet things, but I want to diversify to savoury food beyond sandwiches, you know? So I’m looking for someone who can figure out a short menu—at least one vegan and gluten-free option would have to be a must.”
They talked for a while about Roman’s experience—non-existent—and his knowledge of food—purely self-taught—and Roman left feeling small and disappointed despite how nice she’d been.
There was no way Milly was going to hire someone who’d never worked in a professional kitchen before.
Still, with Tyler’s encouragement, Roman spent the next week coming up with a menu, testing things out on the Dom who, honestly, was pretty unhelpful, seeing as his reaction to everything was, “That’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted. Wow.”
“Better than the cheese and tomato tarts from yesterday?” Roman asked.
“I mean. Those were also the best thing I’ve ever tasted. I’m sorry! It’s just all so good.”
Flattering but ultimately useless. At least Roman was spending a lot of time at Tyler’s, sometimes even going to his work to keep him company. Tyler seemed a lot more settled since their talk, and Roman couldn’t help but glow with pleasure at the thought that he’d managed to actually be of help.
That he could comfort instead of just be comforted.
Roman ended up with a few items which could be pre-made and either served cold or just had to be heated up—a chickpea and lentil salad with tahini sauce, flaky tarts with melted cheese—vegan or otherwise, tomato, and fresh herbs, a croissant braid withbéchameland ham or mushroom.
He took samples of each thing to Milly’s and watched her bite into them, his heart slamming in his chest.
“Wow,” she said as she sipped the rich, vegetable cream soup he’d prepared. “You’re hired. This stuff isamazing.”
Roman blinked. “I’m…I’m hired?”
“Yes. This croissant thing is literally the best thing I’ve ever eaten, and it’s so simple. It’ll be a total hit. And this grilled fig thing? We won’t be able to make it year-round, but I notice you’ve chosen things from different seasons. I’d totally be up for seasonal menus.”
Roman didn’t know what to say—couldn’t fully process the fact that it had been that easy when he’d been sure his lack of experience would supersede anything else. “Thank you. I won’t let you down, I promise.”
Milly smiled widely. “I know you won’t, honey. How about you come back tomorrow to meet the kitchen staff in the morning? We can sort everything out and then launch your menu in a few weeks—you’ll have plenty of time to get settled in.”
Roman walked out of there in such a daze that he ended up in Tyler’s workshop without even realising it. He considered leaving, but a burst of bravery made him knock on the door, swaying towards Tyler when he opened up.
“Hey,” Tyler said, concern coating his voice. “You okay? What happened?”
“I got the job,” Roman replied incredulously.
It only took a second for Tyler’s grin to break over his face. “Of course you did, because your food is amazing, and so are you. Get in here, it’s freezing.” He hugged Roman to his broad chest and Roman closed his eyes happily.
That night, they celebrated at Roman’s house with bits of the menu, Connie and Charlie and Cross happily attending. Roman glowed as they scarfed his food down, all of them drowning Roman in praise.
It was difficult to feel he didn’t deserve good things when everybody in Roman’s life treated him likethat.
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“And the mixer washumungous,” Roman said excitedly, almost flinging the cucumber he was cutting across Tyler’s kitchen. “And everybody was so nice. Do you know Francois? He makes the bread? He let me taste everything so I can incorporate it in my menu and he has the recipe for a rosemary and garlic pull-apart bread that would go perfect with…why are you looking at me like that?” Roman asked, stilling at the wide grin on Tyler’s face.
“You’re just…really fucking beautiful. It makes me happy to see you smile like that,” Tyler replied like it was nothing, like he hadn’t just made Roman’s heart stop in his chest.
Roman could feel his face heat, tongue thick in his mouth. “Oh. Uhm. I think you look good too,” he blurted, because Tyler was leaning against the kitchen counter with a white T-shirt that gripped his biceps obscenely and a bright light in his eyes Roman loved.
Tyler laughed good-naturedly. “Thanks, Ro.”
They stared at each other, air thickening bit by bit. Roman was caught in the spell of it, blood sparking, hands twitching for…something.
It had been a long, long time since he had felt anything like that—not since childish fumbling when he was young. Being a Worm in his old coven meant he’d never touched anybody in an intimate way beyond some stolen kisses when he’d been a teenager.
Standing in the kitchen with Tyler so close, Roman was swamped with images of what it would be like to kiss him, bright and velvety scenes of gentle hands and soft lips. He could almost feel how Tyler would cradle his face, how his tongue would feel swiping against his own, how hard and hot his body would be if Roman pressed closer.
Roman twitched as he realised he’d been daydreaming. Hopefully the thoughts weren’t broadcasted on his face, but it was impossible to banish the hot-honey feeling completely. He kept catching himself ogling Tyler’s face, but he didn’t know how to stop.
