Page 57 of Sinfully Shameless Chef

Rachel wants to believe in happily ever afters and true love, and maybe she and Bash both found that. But it doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. My restaurant is my focus, not my heart.

We finally make it to the front of the line, and a pretty blonde employee smiles, her eyes scanning me with appreciation. “Good morning. Wait…are you Jameson Fury?”

I grin at her and nudge Rachel in the side with my elbow. “Sure am.”

She claps her hands together like a giddy teenager, even though I would guess she’s at least in her early twenties. “Awesome. So exciting to have you in the store. How can I help you?”

I hold up the glass. “I'm going to need fifty of these and another fifty of one of the white wine glasses I can show you back there. Do you have enough in stock to accommodate this quickly, or am I going to have to do a special order?”

“Oooh. Let me see.” Her gaze drifts over to Rachel, and she frowns slightly. “Is this your girlfriend?”

First, what a wildly inappropriate question for a store employee to ask the customer. Second, eww.

“This is my sister.”

Rachel snickers and covers her mouth with her hand. She leans in while the girl types away at her computer screen, checking inventory. “You certainly do have a way with women, baby brother. I'm sure you can get things figured out with Isabella.”

I bite back the growl of annoyance threatening to rip from my throat. “Let me concentrate on one thing at a time.”

Rach steps back with a sigh and raises her hands. “Fair enough. We have the glasses, the linens, and the silverware. What's next?”

I lean against the counter and picture the inside of my place exactly how I want it. “Table decorations. Some sort of centerpiece or something. I don't just want lame little votive candles.”

“Oooh!” Rach jumps up and down and claps. “I have an idea.”

I snort and shake my head. “Why do I have a feeling I'm going to regret asking for your help with this?”

More than I already do…

She smacks my shoulder. “Oh, stop it. You love me, and you know it.”

I grin at her. “I do, but it doesn’t mean I can’t also find you annoying.”

Blondie looks up from her computer and smiles. “We can get those for you by tomorrow, Mr. Fury. Give me a minute to find someone to cover the register, and I’ll assist you with anything else you need to order.”

“Thank you.”

Her interruption gave me a little break from Rachel’s persistent pushing, and it will be nice to have relief tonight and tomorrow before I have to sit with the entire family for the game. My usual Wednesday night melee will be a great stress relief and reprieve from the constant questioning and ball-busting.

I dish it out to them just as much as they do to me, but I fucking hate being the focus of it. Especially when they keep bringing everything back to the blonde with the green eyes who haunts my dreams.

“Is that why you’re ditching us tonight, because I’m annoying?”

She’s fishing, trying to determine if I plan on spending my night away from them in a certain woman’s bed. As nice as that would be, she made it clear that isn’t what she wants. And I have other plans. Ones I don’t intend to share with Rach or anyone else, for that matter.

“I’m not ditching you. I had plans well before anyone gave me the date for the game. But I’ll meet you guys for dinner before, and we’ll have three hours to enjoy each other’s company and watch Greer’s guys beat the shit out of the Rangers.”

“Ugg. Fine.” She points a finger at me. “But I know you’re hiding something. I’ll figure it out. I always do.”

I sure as shit hope not because I am so not ready to explore that rabbit hole.

* * *

IZZY

“Are you sure you don't want me to help?”

I tighten my hand around the spoon and glance at her. “For the last time, Ashley, no. I got this.”

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