Page 15 of Humbug Lane

Seth nods, and we walk out to the van.

“I’ll drive you home.”

He shakes his head. “No. I need to check on my kitchen.”

“You sure? You’ve had kind of a traumatic day. I think you deserve the afternoon and a few more days off, buddy.” I start the van and head toward the highway.

“I’m fine. I may feel worse tomorrow and need a day, but it’s not the first time I’ve been burned in the kitchen.”

I head to the restaurant. As a chef, I’ve had my fair share of burns too. Still, I’m going to keep a close eye on Seth while we inspect the damage.

CHAPTERSEVEN

GRACE

Lunch service is delivered by two twenty-year-old girls who work for a different caterer. They have no idea why Landon isn’t there. All they know is they’re handling lunch and dinner today.

There’s no way he would go to these lengths just to avoid me.Why are you thinking this way, Grace?

It’s late in the afternoon when I get a text from Landon.

Landon:

Hey, we had a small fire at the restaurant. I won’t be around tonight. Sorry.

Me:

Was anyone hurt?

Landon:

My chef has second-degree burns on one arm, but he’s alright.

Me:

Can I help?

He doesn’t respond before I have to get back behind my camera. My gut is in knots the rest of the day. I’m not ready for this thing between us to be over. I figured we had until the shoot was over, and then life would likely get in the way, but it looks as if life had a shorter plan.

Glad no one was seriously hurt, I push all things Landon aside and focus on the work. It’s never let me down.

* * *

When I finish up for the night, I check my phone.

Landon:

I wish you could, baby. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

Clear that he doesn’t want or need my help, I head home. Somehow my apartment seems smaller and dingier than it ever has. I long for wine on Landon’s patio and a naked swim in the pool.

I know he’s busy. It’s not his fault there was a fire. I shouldn’t be so negative, but I know what happened two years ago, and it wasn’t even this dramatic. I was a fool to let my feelings out or his in. I shouldn’t have slept the night with him. I should have grabbed my clothes and run for the hills. Then last night would be a lovely memory of a night of passion. Well, two nights of passion.

Maybe I’ll get a cat. I can become a proper cat lady.

The rest of the movie shoot is nuts. Committing to shooting an entire movie in six days is insane. I barely have time to breathe. Not to mention all the damn holly jolly bullshit.

There is no Santa Clause.

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