Page 13 of Chef's Kiss

“I don’t, it’s just that…well…how are the cops gonna believe me?”

“What are you talking about?” My head pulls back, completely shocked at her words.

“I mean…I’m not exactly the type of person these things happen to.”

Every word in the English language escapes me and it’s only then I realize just how innocent, sweet, and pure this woman is. And unfortunately not valuing herself at the one millionth percent she should.

“Listen to me,” I say, grabbing her face. “You’re an amazing young woman. Incredible. And everyone’s going to believe you, not to mention I took pictures of that vile beast with my phone before I left. I have a stellar reputation in this town and I would never make up something like this. The cops know that. Plus they’re trained to read body language, tone of voice, all sorts of things. As much as it pains me to say it, they’ve seen this before, and they’ll know just from looking at you that you’re telling the truth. They’ll know before you even open your mouth to say the first words the’ll need for their report.”

A long moment passes. “You’re right,” she says. “You’re right.”

“And you know what you are?” I state with a flat tone, letting her know I’ve got another fact of life that it’s time to drop on her like a truth bomb from the sky.

She shakes her head.

“You’re beautiful. And you’re mine,” I say, and I bring my forehead to hers and for the first time all day I see the corners of her lips start to turn up and watch her literally blossom in that moment as she feels her self-worth grow to match the radiance of that smile. And that’s the smile I’m going to put on her face for the rest of her life…and make sure it stays there. Forever.

CHAPTER 7

Charlotte

Not forty-five minutes later we’re pulling up to Christian’s place, or should I say palace.

His initials CC adorn the wrought iron gate at the entrance to his driveway, and a man at the guardshack comes out and practically salutes him before waving him through.

“You’re safe here,” he says, sweeping his hand back and forth as if to point out the high fence that surrounds his property.

“I’m sorry I didn’t come to the show taping yesterday. The afternoon shift called in sick and I picked up their hours. I really need all the money I can get right now, although I’m probably not getting a penny from that job now.”

“You don’t work there anymore. You’re going to take some time off to heal. We’ll get you a psychiatrist if you like, or we can not talk about it again if you prefer that. When you’re ready you’ll come work for me. I’ll triple whatever you were getting at the restaurant supply store.”

“Thank you, but that’s too generous.”

As we pull up to the front of his house, he throws the car in park and tosses the keys to someone. “It’s not up for debate,” he says, as he opens my door and helps me out.

Entering his house, I feel like I’m entering a grand hotel or something, at least the pictures I’ve seen of them on the internet.

“Let’s have a drink out back. Do you prefer hot tea, coffee, or maybe even hot chocolate?”

“Hot chocolate,” I say, realizing I haven’t had that in forever. “Or Starbucks if you’ve got it,” I laugh, pressing my luck. “It’s my favorite and it used to be my sanctuary to just go there and escape from everything, taking in the scent of their coffee as they brewed it.”

“Which flavor?” I ask.

“Right now I feel like pumpkin spice,” I giggle, feeling way better.

It’s only then I notice the butler in the corner, who nods and scurries away to what must be the kitchen.

Christian leads me out back to a garden and almost as soon as we sit down a cup of black coffee and a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte, in a Starbucks mug, are placed on the beautiful little quaint table that faces a tiny fountain, with a chair on either side.

Just before the butler goes Christian mumbles something to him and I swear I heard something I can’t believe.

“Did you ask him to cancel the taping of your show today?”

“Cheers,” Christian says, totally ignoring my question.

“Christian, that show is important. I don’t want you to—“

“We’ve got plenty of new episodes waiting to air. Taking one day off isn’t going to hurt anyone.”

“But the employees, they must—“

“Be ecstatic they’re going to get paid while taking a day off to go to the beach?”

I give up, smiling and meet his mug with mine. “Cheers.”

We slowly ease into the morning, and it takes me awhile to believe how early it still is. While most people are racing off to sit in traffic for an hour or more on the way to their jobs, I’m in what must be the most tranquil place in all of Southern California…drinking Starbucks with the man of my dreams. My day has completely flipped upside down, thanks to him. But there’s something that happened earlier that really has my head, and my stomach, spinning. And I want to know more about what that really was.

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