Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“The moving truck just pulled up,” Jake announced from his position at Blake’s floor-to-ceiling windows, his face pressed against the glass like an excited puppy. “Holy shit, that’s a huge truck.”
“Language,” Penny said primly, though he was already abandoning his coffee to join Jake at the window. “Oh wow, that IS a huge truck.”
I smiled, my hand drifting unconsciously to my stomach. My small bump was definitely more pronounced—harder to hide in anything fitted, impossible to dismiss as bloating. Soon I’d need to transition fully to maternity clothes and oversized sweaters.
Today, Dominic and I were moving into our new apartment today. The space where we’d bring our baby. Our first real home together.
“Ready?” Dominic appeared beside me, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Marcus is coordinating with the movers downstairs. Blake’s already there with his tablet, supervising.”
“Supervising,” I repeated with amusement. “You mean standing there making sure everything is placed according to that meticulously detailed floor plan he foisted on us?”
“Exactly.” Dominic’s smile was fond. “Which means we should get down there before he starts color-coding the furniture placement.”
“Too late,” Penny called from the window. “I can see him from here. There are definitely color-coded diagrams happening.”
Jake laughed, the sound bright and genuine in a way that still seemed to surprise him sometimes. Jake was finally starting to believe he might actually be safe. That good things could happen to him without immediate disaster following.
“Come on,” I said, linking my arm through Dominic’s. “Let’s go make sure he doesn’t have the movers ready to quit.”
The movers were already carrying in boxes and furniture, following Blake’s directions with the kind of efficiency that came from dealing with someone who knew exactly what he wanted and had no patience for deviation.
Dominic squeezed my hand before striding across the room to join Blake.
Penny’s eyes widened as he spun in a slow circle, his gaze drinking in the bare walls and soaring ceilings. “Swanky,” he breathed. “Those windows are amazing!”
Heat flooded my cheeks as flashes of tangled limbs and heated breaths from mine and Dominic’s last visit played through my mind.
The space smelled like fresh paint and new carpet, everything pristine and waiting to become home.
“The sectional goes against the west wall,” Blake said, drawing my attention. “Not the north wall. West. The wall with the—yes, that one. Perfect.”
Dominic caught my eye and grinned. He flashed a wink and my heart performed a perfect gymnastic somersault behind my ribs.
“And the beanbag?” one of the movers asked, gesturing to the enormous charcoal-colored monstrosity being wheeled in on a dolly.
“Corner by the windows,” Dominic said immediately. He looked at me. “Plenty of afternoon sun.”
The movers set the beanbag down in the designated corner, and before they’d even fully removed the protective wrapping, Penny let out a delighted gasp.
“It’s glorious!” He breathed.
“Dibs on first test,” Jake called out, already moving toward it.
“Absolutely not,” Penny said, racing to beat him. “I’m Leo’s best friend. I get priority testing privileges.”
They both launched themselves at the enormous beanbag the moment it was unwrapped, landing with twin “oof” sounds and immediately sinking into the plush fabric.
“Oh my god,” Penny moaned. “This is what clouds feel like.”
“Room for one more?” I asked.
“Of course,” Jake said, scooting over to make space.
I settled between them, and the beanbag shifted to cradle all three of us perfectly. My hand drifted unconsciously to my stomach, my fingers splaying over the small bump.
“So this is it,” Penny said softly, his usual flair replaced by genuine emotion. “Your home with your mate.”
“Yeah.” The word came out thick with feelings I wasn’t quite prepared for. “This is it.”
Through the doorway, I could hear Dominic directing movers, Blake’s occasional corrections, and Marcus’ calm voice playing referee. The sounds of our life together being assembled, piece by piece.
“You know what this means, right?” Penny’s grin returned, wicked and knowing. “Jake and I get our own room at Blake’s now. Blessed, glorious privacy!”
“Not that I minded bunking with you, Jake,” he added hastily.
“No, same here,” Jake agreed. “Privacy will be nice.”
“You two are gonna keep staying at Blake’s then?” I asked, though I already knew the answer. “We have an extra guest room and there’s the baby’s room—“
“Nope.” Penny said, making a distinct pop on the ‘p.’ “Gonna have to veto that.”
Penny and Jake exchanged a loaded glance.
“We can’t stay here,” Jake said quietly.
“Newly mated couples need their privacy,” Penny said. “We’ve been underfoot long enough.”
“At least I know you’ll both be safe at Blake’s,” I said. “Dominic said the FBI is still building their case against the Antonelli family’s Boston operations. Neither of you should go home yet.”
“I know. It’s just…” Jake’s voice dropped so low I had to strain to hear him. “I keep thinking about testifying eventually. About what I saw. About them finding me before the trial.”
“Which is why you’re staying put,” Penny said, reaching over me to squeeze Jake’s hand. “And why my moms are staying at that boutique hotel downtown.”
“Your moms are here?” I asked.
“Arrived yesterday,” Penny confirmed. “They wanted to stay at Vintage Vogue, but…” He hesitated.
“What if someone thinks I’m staying there?
What if someone decides to send a message?
Dominic put them up at Le Papillon—that fancy place with the rooftop restaurant.
They’re thrilled, actually. Much nicer than my cramped apartment. ”
“Dominic just pulled out his black card and made it happen,” Jake added, a note of awe in his voice. “He and Blake both have one, you know?”
Penny suddenly bolted upright, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he nudged Jake. “Speaking of loaded wallets, tell Leo the good news!”
Jake’s entire face transformed, dimples framing a smile that reached his eyes. “I got the job! Assistant pastry chef at Giardino Segreto—it means ‘Secret Garden.’
I squeezed Jake’s arm. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” he said breathlessly.
“The greenhouse!” Penny prompted. “Tell him about the greenhouse.”
“On yeah! They have a four-story greenhouse right in the center of the restaurant,” Jake continued. “It’s farm-to-table, except the farm is vertical and inside the restaurant. Diners eat surrounded by tropical plants, orchids, palms.”
“That sounds incredible,” I said, meaning it. I’d never heard of anything like it.
“It gets better.” Penny nudged Jake’s foot with his own, his lips curling into an expectant smile.
“They grow their own ingredients,” Jake continued, barely pausing for breath.
He sat up, his hands moving as he talked, painting pictures in the air.
“The chefs forage from it every morning for the day’s menu.
There’s a whole section of rare orchids they use for garnish.
And Bromeliads. Palms. Things you can’t find at most regular suppliers. ”
“What’s on the menu?” Penny asked, clearly delighted to see Jake this animated.
“Pappardelle with five-spice braised short ribs. Squid ink linguine with lemongrass brown butter. Branzino with nam prik verde—it’s like Italian salsa verde but with Thai fish sauce and lime.
” Jake’s voice took on that dreamy quality he got when talking about food.
“The dessert menu is what I’ll be working on.
Panna cotta infused with pandan leaves. Tiramisu made with Thai coffee.
Bomboloni filled with Thai basil-infused pastry cream. ”
“You’re making me hungry,” I said, rubbing my bump. “Do they do takeout?”
Jake nodded.
“Tell me more.” I sank back into the soft beanbag, already plotting ways to persuade my alpha that we absolutely needed takeout from Jake’s new place of employment.
To celebrate. Yes, to celebrate Jake’s job and moving into our new home.
“The fusion concept works because both cuisines are so herb-forward.” Jake sank further into the beanbag, his body collapsing with a soft whoosh. “Italians love basil, parsley, rosemary. Thai cooking uses Thai basil, cilantro, mint, lemongrass, kaffir lime. The greenhouse supports both.”
“When do you start?” I asked.
“Monday.” Jake’s smile was incandescent.
“They want me to spend the first couple of weeks just learning the greenhouse. What’s ready to harvest, how to handle the delicate plants, which herbs pair with which dishes.
” His eyes lit up. “Did you know they’re growing three varieties of Thai basil?
And they’re trying to propagate Thai holy basil and sawtooth coriander. ”
“Sounds like an amazing opportunity for you,” I said.
“I hope so.” Jake’s expression turned vulnerable. “It feels too good to be true, you know? After Boston…”
“It’s not too good to be true,” Penny insisted. “You earned this. You’re talented and creative and you deserve good things.”
“Blake cleared it, right?” Dominic suddenly materialized at the beanbag’s edge, holding Blake’s tablet. His tone was casual, but I felt his attention sharpen through our bond.
“Does Blake know you have that?” I asked, looking pointedly at the sleek device.
“I confiscated it,” Dominic said without a trace of remorse. “Blake’s pouting now.”
I stifled a laugh as he turned his attention back to Jake.
“Has he ran a background check on the restaurant yet?”
“Yeah, completely clean,” Jake confirmed. “No Antonelli connections they could find. The owner’s legitimate—built his career in Italy and Southeast Asia over the past six years, hospitality industry. This is his first U.S. restaurant.”
“And the owner?” I asked. “What’s he like?”
“Mr. Srisai? Haven’t met him yet,” Jake said. “He’s been traveling—Thailand, I think? The head chef handled my interview and said the owner trusts his judgment completely on hiring decisions.”