Page 20 of Hiding Rose
He nodded once. “Good. Listen, I have to get back to the kitchen, but I’ll pick you up at your apartment at eight, okay?”
He stood from the desk and nonchalantly slipped his hand into mine, holding it loosely. It’s almost as if he knows the exact amount of intimacy I can handle before I freak out.
“I—I can meet you,” I stuttered, hating how I reverted to a high schooler with a crush when I was around him. “I can meet you here if it’s easier.”
A lazy smile spread across his face. “When I’m taking a woman for a nice meal I don’t meet her anywhere. I escort her,” he insisted.
I wasn’t going to win so I gave him a nod of understanding. “I’ll be ready at eight.”
He swiveled into me, his hand still in mine and laid a kiss on my lips. It lasted only the length of a breath before he whispered. “I’ll see you then.”
I watched his white coat disappear from the door and plopped down into my desk chair. What the hell is going on with us? I know it’s not smart to get involved with anyone right now, but I can’t stay away from the guy. It’s like he knows exactly what my weaknesses are and exploits them. I sucked in a breath and shook my head. It was useless to keep pretending there wasn’t something between us. All we had to do was get within a foot of each other and we were drawn together like magnets.
I grabbed the daycare plans with every intention of dissecting the rooms, searching for other layout options and improved flow. I was new at running a daycare and I wanted to do it right. I wanted to make Gideon and Kate proud, but I also yearned for the satisfaction of a job well done. It’s been too long since I’ve taken pride in something. I prefer the feeling of pride over the feeling of shame. My hand automatically went to the angel around my neck. My past was going to be part of whom I am forever, but for the first time in almost a year, my hope is returning. The feeling that maybe I can move on and find happiness like Kate and Gideon or Winifred and Flynn have. At twenty-seven I should be more advanced in my career and relationships than I am, but my life has been far from easy.
There was a knock on the door and I glanced up to see sous chef Leo in the doorway. I stood and motioned him in. “Hi, Leo, what’s up?”
He held up a tray which held a plate with a cover over it, a bottle of water, and multiple other condiments. “Chef Sawyer got tied up, but he asked me to bring you some lunch. Apparently, you haven’t eaten, and hungry bellies don’t fly with Chef Sawyer.” He set the tray down on the desk and the smell of fresh fries wafted toward me. He lifted the lid from the plate and there were three angus sliders with jalapeño cheese sitting alongside fresh from the fryer waffle fries. “Compliments of the chef,” he said.
He winked, waved, and walked out the door, leaving me with the mouthwatering meal. I also had a feeling in my heart that I had a serious crush on Chef Sawyer Kanki.
