Page 2 of The Princess and the Nerd

I chuckle softly. “With friends like you, who needs a sister?”

“Your lipstick is just crazy good, and you never even use it,” she complains. Reaching into her purse, she pulls out the slender, elegant golden tube. She removes the cap and twists it, before adding a touch of color to my mouth. “Press your lips together,” she instructs. I do, and she nods. “There we go. It’s a big night, Will, I can’t have you walking around here looking like a pale, white ghost.”

“Much appreciated,” I tell her with a sigh, and a little roll of my eyes.

She grins, and spanks my ass, before moving away. “You got this, girl.”

And I think I do. I move around the kitchen, supervising everything as the specials of the day are being prepared. Our famous clam chowder is simmering. Destiny’s strawberry rhubarb pie is almost finished being freshly baked, and it smells divine. That pie is so good that she usually has to bake extra for the restaurant staff to take home—and sometimes people come in for just the pie.

Dez is so friendly and cheerful that she greets everyone entering the restaurant, performing the task of a hostess, even though she really doesn’t need to. She is just the warmest, loveliest girl with the sweetest smile, and I am blessed to have her as the face of my business. She’s my secret weapon.

I continue to walk through the kitchen, examining everyone’s workstation with pride.

Nodding with approval, feeling proud of my team.

We’re a well-oiled machine, and everyone is doing what they do best. I am feeling totally pumped, psyched-up, and positive that things are going to go well.

Until I see it. The one hitch in my plan.

The one, chaotic, unexpected element that could threaten to send everything spiraling out of control.

My head chef is crying directly onto the food.

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