Coming Home for Love

Chapter 1

“Whew,” I whispered as I wiped sweat beads from my forehead. The kitchen was hot as hell. Some of my locs had fallen from the neat bun they were in before I left for work, and my feet were screaming for relief. My sneakers were comfortable, but I couldn’t wait to sit down after being on my feet for over eight hours.

The air smelled of cooked food, and I was tired of it. It was the middle of the week, and we had been busy every day so far. I could only imagine how the rest of the week would go. Thursday through Sunday were our busiest nights, and I was scheduled to work all four of those days.

As the executive chef at Taurus restaurant, I worked almost seven days a week. That didn’t happen every week, but it was more often than not. Even though I worked that many days, I didn’t always work many hours in a day. Some days, I only worked four hours; others, I would be there for twelve. It varied on the day of the week or if there was a special event going on. I couldn’t wait to have a few days off so I could spend time with my baby boy and do some shopping. The seasons were changing, and my baby had gotten so big, so he couldn’t wear the stuff I had gotten him last fall.

My son was my world, and he was the reason why I went so hard. When I got pregnant, I didn’t think I would finish culinary school or get a job in an upscale restaurant, but I was able to accomplish both with the help of my parents. My mother, Nicole, retired from her nursing job to be a stay-at-home grandmother so I could achieve my dreams. My father, George, was an orthopedic surgeon, so he was able to take care of the household bills. Every week, I gave my mother money to help with my baby since she was the one who fed him every day while I was at work.

I didn’t have a car note since my parents gifted me with a black G-Wagon when I graduated. The only major bill I had was my monthly rent on my two-bedroom apartment. I thought about purchasing a condo but didn’t think it was the right time. I wasn’t sure what I was waiting for, but every time I went to look, something would happen, and I wouldn’t go. Maybe it was the universe’s way of telling me I needed to wait.

I loved my apartment though, and it was perfect for us. There was plenty of room for my son as he grew, so I wasn’t in a rush to move.

“Chef Wynter, the mayor is here to get his wife’s food,” Nicki, one of my coworkers, said as she entered the kitchen.

Nicki and I had been working together for a little over a year, and I considered her a close associate. She knew I had a child but didn’t know the history behind his existence.

“It’s in the warmer,” I told her as I focused on the food I was in the middle of plating.

“Okay.” She walked away to grab it but stopped near me before leaving. “That man knows he is fine and so sweet. His wife is a lucky woman.”

Nicki walked out of the kitchen to deliver the platter of Cajun chicken pasta the mayor came in twice a week to get for his wife. She didn’t lie either about how fine he was because Mayor Mills was fine, especially when he wore suits. His brother was fine too. They both were off the market and too old for me anyway, so I admired them from afar.

Focusing on the task at hand, I finished up the food and put it on the counter for one of the waitresses to pick up.

A few minutes later, Nicki came strolling back into the kitchen, leaned against the counter, and crossed her arms across her chest.

“Did you see the write-up Olivia Gray did about that burger place around the corner?”

I turned to face her. “No. Was it bad?”

She dropped her arms and tilted her head. “Girl, was it? She said the burgers weren’t cooked all the way. I feel sorry for them because you know her bad review could shut down your business.”

Olivia Gray was a popular food critic in Sweetwater Hills and the surrounding areas.

“That’s crazy. How could you not cook a burger all the way.” I rolled my eyes.

Her dark brown eyes bucked. “Right. Did you know she’s coming here soon?” She whispered that last part.

I hadn’t heard that news yet, but it made my heart thud in my chest. Not only would Olivia’s review make or break my career and this restaurant, but she was also my child’s aunt.

I never officially met her, but I knew who she was since she looked exactly like her brother.

“No. I didn’t know.”

Nicki leaned closer and whispered, “I overheard LaShay and Mike talking about it. I’m sure she’ll tell you about it sooner or later. Just act surprised.” She laughed.

I didn’t find it funny at all. The thought filled me with dread. I wasn’t worried about her giving my food a bad review. I was worried about her finding out the truth. I wasn’t sure how she would, but that didn’t stop me from worrying.

Nicki had no idea the frenzy she sent me into as she rambled on about how cute Olivia was. She thought she had a chance with her as if she didn’t know that woman had a husband and two children.

Nicki continued talking about some other stuff I wasn’t interested in, ruining the few minutes of reprieve I had. I wasn’t sure how she was employed here sometimes, or even what her role was, because she seemed to do more talking and bullshiting than anything. Word around the kitchen was she was fucking Mike, who was the manager, and that was how she got away with doing nothing.

When the computer system dinged, I got happy because that meant I could send Nicki on her way.

“Looks like I got work to do. See you later, girl.”

Nicki pushed off the counter. “You weren’t listening anyway.” She smirked and left the kitchen.

At least she knew I wasn’t listening, but that never stopped her from talking.

I looked at the screen to see what I needed to do and got back to work.

Too many hours later, I pulled up to my parents’ house to get my baby so we could go home.

“Hey, Mom,” I said when I entered the living room.

I walked over to her to kiss her cheek before plopping my bottom down on the couch next to her.

“I don’t even need to ask if it has been a long day or not, because it’s written all over your face. Even some of your locs came out of your bun.” She laughed and pulled one of my loose strands.

I sighed. “Yes, but I love it and it’s my dream, so I won’t complain. Where’s Dad?”

I didn’t need to ask her where my baby was because it was after ten at night, and I knew he was asleep.

“Your father had to go check on a patient who was having some issues. He said he may or may not have to do surgery, so who knows when he’ll be back.”

“That man won’t retire until they make him.” I chuckled.

My mom rolled her eyes. “He sure won’t. Anyway, what’s going on with you besides working yourself to death?”

I looked over at her, and she smirked. Laying my head back on the couch, I closed my eyes and told her all the nothings that were going on in my life.

“Oh, Olivia Gray is supposed to be coming to the restaurant, but LaShay hasn’t made the announcement yet, so I don’t know for a fact if it’s official. Nicki was the one who told me.

My mom sucked her teeth. “That girl does everything but work, doesn’t she?” I nodded. “Anyway, speaking of Olivia, I saw her mother the other day. Do you know how hard it was for me not to tell her about her grandson? You’re lucky he wasn’t with me because one look at that boy, she would have known. When are you going to stop hiding and tell them?”

Both parents encouraged me to tell the Grays about my son, but those people didn’t know me, and I didn’t feel comfortable approaching them about it.

I opened my eyes to look at her. “Mom, I never met them, and they have no clue of the dealings I had with their son. One day when I feel the time is right, they’ll find out.”

“I’ll leave it alone for now, especially since you are tired. How about you sleep in your old room for the night because I don’t want you and my baby driving this time of night. I sure don’t need you falling asleep behind the wheel.”

“You’re right. I’ll go shower and get in bed. I guess you can make breakfast for me then.” I smiled widely.

“Girl, you are the chef, but I got you.” She winked. “I’m going to wait for your father for a little bit longer.”

I stretched, then stood. “Okay. Good night.” I kissed her cheek and left the living room.

I carried my tired body upstairs into the bathroom to shower and thought about how I could tell Olivia about the baby if or when she came into the restaurant. It didn’t feel right telling her before her brother. I could ask her for his number, but then I had to remind myself that she probably wouldn’t give it to me since she didn’t know me.

I knew I couldn’t keep it a secret too much longer. It was bad enough it had been three years already. I’d figure it out at some point.

Once I was done in the shower, I put on some pajamas, checked on my baby, and climbed into bed. Sleep was calling my name, and I was ready to answer.