Chapter 20
Adriana
It had been a few days since the incident in the pantry, and I felt like things were finally cooling down. I’d agreed to keep seeing Landon while I tried to get my thoughts together.
Nolan, however, had been eerily quiet and stiff. His jokes were few and far between, though sometimes he still let them slip. Those little moments made me think that there was still something between us and that he, like Landon, wasn’t ready to let go of it completely.
I’d noticed tense looks between them whenever they were in the same room, though. Glares here and there, and tight conversations whenever they spoke.
Bryant had gone off somewhere, but he was due to return that afternoon. I still wasn’t sure what had happened between us. At the time, I had a desperate need to let off some steam and channel my anxiety. I wasn’t sure what his reasoning was for going along with all of it.
I didn’t know if it was a one-time thing, either. Some part of me hoped that it wasn’t, but my rational mind was quick to remind me that I was already stuck between two guys, and adding a third definitely wasn’t smart.
“Ah, that’s… something,” I muttered as I read through my schedule on my tablet while I got ready for the day. “Hope things don’t explode in the middle of this.”
I was due to accompany a few VIPs to an art exhibition in Big Sur, one that I knew Sierra would be at, too.
What made it terrifying—and, somehow, incredibly exciting—was that Nolan and Landon were both slotted to join me.
Nolan must have decided that he trusted his sous chef to run the kitchen while he was gone.
But I had no idea that he’d had any interest in art; unless, of course, there was some other reason that he’d decided to go along.
I’d dressed up for the occasion in a little black number. It covered everything with a high neckline, long sleeves, and a seam that reached just about a hand’s length above my knee.
Simultaneously, it managed to hug every curve in the perfect way. With a silver necklace and matching earrings, I had to admit that this particular outfit would turn heads. Especially Nolan and Landon’s, and in some sneaky way, that’s exactly what I wanted.
Eventually, I was sure they would try to make me choose again. Until then, however, I was planning on milking the situation for all it was worth.
I was the first to the lobby, and was waiting for the VIPs by the door when Nolan appeared from the elevator. His eyes widened slightly as he approached me, and I knew my outfit had the desired effect on him. My plan was to pretend I hadn’t noticed.
“Morning, Chef,” I said with a smile and a wink. “I hope you slept well.”
“Better than ever,” he answered, less blunt than he had been the last few days. “You look… nice.”
“Why, thank you.” I did a little playful curtsy. “And you, Sir, are very handsome.”
He looked away, but I noticed the slight redness in his cheeks.
Landon arrived only a few minutes later. He and Nolan shared a glare, before Landon came to stand beside me. He was a few inches closer than Nolan, almost as if he were challenging him.
“Do you have the guest list ready?” Landon asked me, ever the professional. “And the transport?”
“I do,” I replied with a quick nod and a sly smile. “Parked right out front. You both ready to go?”
“Mm,” Nolan grunted.
“Yeah,” Landon said, throwing a warning glance over my shoulder at the chef.
Oh, this is going to be fun, I thought.
The guests didn’t seem to notice the tension between them, and I did most of the talking as we led the group to the long limousine they’d requested for the ride to Big Sur. Landon, Nolan, and I sat opposite the guests inside, with the two of them on either side of me.
They stared pointedly out the windows while I spoke to the guests, pretending that absolutely nothing was going on at all.
When we arrived at the gallery, the VIPs walked the red carpet to get their pictures snapped. The rest of us followed silently, focused on our job of accompanying them inside. I reminded them of their schedules once inside, before they walked off to do their own thing.
“Good work.” Landon had leaned down to whisper in my ear, and I noticed the jealous look that Nolan threw his way.
I knew that I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help but play into it. “Mm, that’s not the only thing I’m good at.”
I winked at him and walked off, making sure to put a little extra sway in my hips as I moved. Teasing the two of them was surprisingly fun, and I didn’t think that I’d be able to stop doing it.
At the far end of the expansive and swanky gallery, I spotted Sierra standing by some of her work.
She was dressed in a simple sand-colored gown, but was as stunning as ever.
Her hair dropped over her shoulders in loose curls and her skin was glowing.
Despite being surrounded by pure wealth and extravagance, she still stood out from the crowd.
I nodded in her direction and smiled, and she returned the gesture. She was busy speaking with a few people, and I didn’t want to interrupt. I was technically working, after all, and I needed to act like it. I’d get a chance to speak to her later.
For now, while I waited for the inevitable requests from our guests, I walked around slowly, looking at the pieces on display.
I kept my phone close for any emergencies, but mostly figured that this was a chance for me to breathe.
Nobody was going to run up and tell me about problems with towels or ask me to make last-minute changes to trips.
“Interesting, isn’t it?” Landon’s voice suddenly came from beside me and made me jump.
“Oh, uh.” I looked up at the painting, a landscape of a hidden beach, and pulled myself together. “Looks like a great place to… hang out, you know?”
I winked at him, and caught the way one corner of his mouth lifted into a small smile. “I’m not too sure. That’s a lot of sand to deal with, isn’t it?”
I thought of the day I’d been with Nolan. Sand did, in fact, get everywhere. That wouldn’t stop me from doing it again.
“Actually, I think it’d be worth it,” I said, before my phone vibrated. I checked the screen. It was one of the VIPs, asking for a wallet that had been left in the limousine. “I’ll see you again later. Don’t escape in the meantime.”
When I left Landon’s side, I noticed Nolan on the other side of the room, peering in his direction.
I gave Nolan a quick little teasing wave when he glanced toward me, and continued on to the staff exit.
It didn’t take long to find the wallet and take it to the VIP who had forgotten it.
The smile I offered her when I handed it back was genuine.
I was having fun with this, far more than I thought I would or should have. Maybe it was a little bit dangerous, but that just made the whole thing more exciting for me.
Sierra was now standing by her pieces alone, and she gave me a look that clearly meant she was calling me over. I did just that, dancing toward her with a wide grin and amusement on my face.
I wrapped her in a quick hug. “Hey, look at you, having your work in a place like this! Congratulations. It’s crazy. Actually, no, not really. You deserve to be here.”
“Thanks,” she said, but it seemed like there was something else on her mind. “I have a question for you, though.”
“Yeah?” I asked curiously, noticing that there was a hint of judgment in her eyes.
“What the hell are you doing?” The question was an urgent, hissing whisper, before her voice was slightly louder. “And don’t say you don’t know what I’m talking about. I can see the way you’re acting with those two guys, and how they’re looking at you.”
“I know,” I said, slightly embarrassed. “It’s probably not the smartest.”
“It isn’t,” Sierra agreed, crossing her arms as if she was preparing to chastise me. “Are you crazy? Isn’t this the exact opposite of what I told you to do? Didn’t you agree you’d end things with your boss and avoid romance at work? Now you’re with two bosses?”
“Technically, Nolan’s not my boss, he’s the chef,” I pointed out, even though I knew that didn’t make very much of a difference in Sierra’s eyes.
“It doesn’t matter,” she said, crossing her arms angrily. “You’re playing with fire, and you know it.”
“Come on, it’s not that serious.” I was well aware that it actually was, but I was feeling defensive. “Okay, maybe it is. But you have to understand. There’s something here, something more than just messing around.”
“Is it more important than your job?” Sierra pressed, now starting to seem more than a little frustrated with me.
“Because that’s what you’re putting on the line here.
Your entire career. Is this ménage a trois worth it for you?
Worth losing all of it, for a little attention from some handsome men? ”
“That’s harsh,” I sighed, even though I knew she was saying it for my own good.
“Look, I can’t explain it to you. It’s just like, there’s something about being with them.
Both of them. Landon makes me better at my job, better at being me.
Nolan, well, I can let loose with him. Let go of all control, you know? I don’t know.”
I didn’t mention Bryant. I didn’t really know what was going on with him myself, and Sierra definitely would let me have it if she was aware there was a third guy. I was already being crazy enough in her eyes with two.
Sierra’s eyes softened somewhat, though she still didn’t seem convinced. “So, you’re not going to break things off, then?”
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “But I don’t think so.”
“Okay, well, I guess I won’t be able to change your mind.” Sierra uncrossed her arms and patted me on the shoulder. “But you know where I am if all of this comes back to bite you in the ass.”
That made me laugh. “Yeah. I guess it wouldn’t be that bad to run a frame shop and go to some cool exhibits.”
“I do feel like I might need an assistant,” Sierra mused. “Pretty sure you’ve got those kinds of skills down now, don’t you?”
“You have no idea,” I answered, glad that the tension was broken now. “The other day, someone asked me to ship new tablets for an entire meeting within a few hours. I got it to them with time to spare. You might say that I have become a goddess of fulfilling the requests of the wealthy.”
“Oh, fancy pants,” Sierra said with a lot of amusement in her voice.
Someone approached, clearly interested in Sierra’s pieces. She gave me an apologetic look, but I simply smiled.
“I’ll talk to you later,” I said, nodding at the man who was now closely peering at a painting. Sierra squeezed my arm, and I started walking away.
From the corner of my eye, Landon and Nolan caught my attention. They were standing somewhat away from other people, and looked like they were whispering to one another. They didn’t look angry, though. It seemed like they were colluding.
Curiously, I approached them. They didn’t notice me until I was right beside them and cleared my throat. Both turned toward me wearing sly grins on their faces, as if whatever they had been talking about involved me.
“What are you two whispering about?” I asked with both hands on my hips, but they only kept on smiling.
“You’ll find out soon,” Landon said, and Nolan winked at me.