Page 36 of Summertime Forgiveness

“So, what was the deciding factor in you accepting my offer?” Daniel asked after a good fifteen minutes of them working side by side to stay on time for the lunch hour.

“The promise of free food at the end of my shift,” Jo joked.

At this, Daniel let out a deep chuckle, and Jo joined in.

“You will have to come up with a better answer than that, Jo,” he replied.

Daniel saw Jo hesitate. Jo watched as his eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at her without blinking.Can he see or rather feel that something is off with me?

“What about the opportunity of cooking with one of the best chefs I’ve ever met?” she finally asked, trying to divert the situation.

Daniel glanced around the kitchen as if looking for something. “Where is he?” he asked, looking perplexed.

Jo laughed at this. “So, you really want me to spell it out, do you?” she asked.

“I’m waiting.” Daniel smiled broadly, revealing even, white teeth.

“I’m not saying it because it seems I’ve already inflated your ego a little too much.” She smirked, turning back to the fish she had been filleting.

When he didn’t immediately respond, Jo turned her head to the side to look up at him. She was surprised to see the intensity of his steel-gray eyes fixed on her.

“You know, if you ever want to talk about what’s bothering you, along with being called one of the best chefs, I have also been called one of the best listeners,” he offered.

Jo widened her eyes in surprise at his statement before they shuttered, and she turned her attention back to the fish. “I’m fine,” she spoke in a dismissive tone. Realizing how it must have come off, she lifted her head to the man once more and gave him a small grin. “I’m fine, really.”

After a few agonizing seconds, Daniel gave her a dazzling smile. “Okay,” he accepted. “Let’s get this meal together before the hungry mob gets here and cuts off our heads for making them wait too long.”

Jo laughed at his silliness.

---