34. Did You Say Usurp?
Chapter 34
Did You Say Usurp?
MEGAN
“ S o then what happened?” I ask, cradling Deuce on the floor of the living room as I watch his tiny hands reach for my hair. His smile lights up my whole world, making it hard to focus entirely on Lena’s complaints, but I do my best.
Lena exhales dramatically from the couch, the picture of exasperation. “I showed him around the kitchen and then the club, like Hunter made me.”
“And?”
“And what?” she snaps, her tone defensive—too defensive.
“And why are you so angry about it?”
“I told you. He’s forcing this guy into my space.”
“To help you at the club,” I counter, holding back a smile. “So you can be more creative with the menu. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Oh, so you’re in on it, too?”
Deuce gurgles happily, his bright eyes locking on mine as I lean down to pepper kisses across his chubby cheeks. The softness of his skin, the pure innocence of his laughter—it’s impossible to feel anything but joy when he’s in my arms.
“I’m not in on anything, Lena,” I say, laughing softly as I nuzzle my son. “I just know your brother. All he ever wants to do is make the people he loves happy. And like it or not, that includes you.”
“What he’s doing,” she says, crossing her arms like a petulant teenager, “is making me sorry I even brought up extending the menu in the first place.”
“Lena…”
“What?”
“What is it about this guy that’s got you so… bothered ?” My voice is gentle, teasing even, but her reaction is telling. She bristles, her lips pressing into a thin line, as if I’ve hit a nerve.
Hunter would never admit it to me, but I’d bet good money he’s hired this Oliver guy not just for the club but as a distraction to keep Lena away from Christian. And knowing my husband, the guy is probably hot as hell. If he’s going to do something, he’s not going to half-ass it.
“You should understand what I’m dealing with. I’ve just finally started to gain some respect from the staff,” Lena says, her frustration spilling out in a rush. “And now Hunter brings in some ‘master chef’ to waltz in and usurp my power.”
“ Usurp your power? ” I chuckle. “Have you been reading that fantasy romance book of yours again?”
“Whatever, Megan.”
“What’s this guy’s name again?”
“As if you don’t know.”
“Seriously, Lena, Hunter hasn’t mentioned anything about him to me.”
She huffs. “His name is Oliver. And he’s… well, he seems very sure of himself. I think someone in his family owns a restaurant in Chinatown. So yeah, he’s got experience running a busy kitchen.”
“That’s a good thing, right? He could be helpful.”
“Running the Blue Whiskey kitchen is my job. I may not have gotten the position the old-fashioned way, but I’ve worked my ass off since to prove myself. I just don’t want this Oliver guy overstepping.”
I pick up Deuce, pressing his tiny body to my chest as I rub his back. The little burp he lets out makes me grin. “Listen, Lena. Neither of us are brain surgeons, but we’re both more than qualified to do our jobs. And you know as well as I do that Hunter would never let anyone overstep you at the club.”
She leans back against the couch, her irritation softening slightly. “I just feel blindsided, you know? One minute I mention wanting to change the menu, and the next thing I know, Hunter’s already lined up some guy like he’s been planning this for weeks.”
I could tell her what I suspect about Hunter’s motives, but that would only make her feel manipulated. And besides, I have a hunch there’s more to her feelings than she’s letting on.
“So, you really don’t like this Oliver dude?”
“I wouldn’t say that,” she admits, her voice softer now. “It’s just… a feeling I have about him.”
“A feeling?”
“Yeah, a feeling. Now give me the baby.”
“Aren’t you cooking us dinner?”
“It’s in the oven already. Now hand him over.”
I pass Deuce to her, watching as she makes silly zerbert noises on his belly. His giggles fill the room, light and infectious.
“Tell me more about him,” I prod.
“I don’t know anything more than what I told you,” she says, though her tone suggests otherwise.
“What does he look like?”
“Why does that matter?”
“I’m just curious. Trying to put a face to the name.”
She rolls her eyes but humors me. “Tall. Sort of muscular. Black hair, almond-shaped dark eyes, tan skin. And, um, he has a dimple, too.”
“That’s… very specific,” I smirk. “I could probably pick him out of a lineup with that description.”
“You asked what he looked like!”
“And you definitely told me,” I chuckle.
“What are you trying to say, Megan?”
She hands Deuce back to me, her mood shifting from defensive to annoyed. But I’ve danced around this long enough—it’s time to address the elephant in the room.
“I just think you might be protesting more than the occasion calls for because… maybe you’re attracted to him?”
“I’m not attracted to that smug asshole. And even if I was, why would that bother me?”
She’s going to make me say it.
“Because,” I say, standing with Deuce and pacing the room to calm his fussing, “you feel like it would betray the feelings you’re already having for someone else.”
“Feelings?” she repeats, her voice rising slightly.
“Can you grab a bottle from the fridge and warm it for me?” I ask, ignoring her question as I focus on Deuce. “I think he’s hungry.”
She does as I ask, but the look on her face tells me she’s still waiting for an answer. “What are you talking about, Megan?”
“Lena…”
“What?”
I take a deep breath, rocking Deuce gently in my arms. “Can we stop pretending? You have feelings for Christian. Maybe that’s why you feel guilty that someone else caught your attention.”
“What? No! Christian is my brother’s friend.”
“I know who he is, Lena.”
“It’s not like that,” she says, her voice unsteady. “He’s just… someone who’s been there for me. While you and Hunter were dealing with all your… drama.”
Her words hit me like a slap, and I pause mid-step. Have Hunter and I been so wrapped up in our own chaos that we missed what Lena’s been going through? Has Christian become her lifeline in our absence?
“No, you’re right,” I say softly. “There’s been a lot of drama, and too much scary shit has happened. Hunter sent Christian to watch over you because he trusts him. It makes sense that you’d start to develop feelings for someone who’s been your rock. He’s attractive, single, and you’ve spent a lot of time together.”
She grabs the bottle from the warmer, handing it to me with a look of disbelief.
“Christian would never look at me like that,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Why not?”
“He’s older. He has an actual career. And, more importantly, he’s my brother’s best friend. There’s no way he’d ever cross that line.”
“Are you sure about that?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes!”
“Well,” I say, smirking as Deuce calms down in my arms, “if Christian is interested, it sounds like he might have some competition now. Oliver sounds pretty hot.”
Lena stares at me, her cheeks flushing as she struggles to find a retort.
I settle into the chaise, feeding Deuce as his tiny hand rests on mine. The room falls quiet, save for the soft sound of him drinking, but the unspoken words between Lena and me linger in the air. She’s not ready to admit the truth, but I see it in her eyes: her heart is more conflicted than she’ll ever let on.
Maybe Hunter’s plan is falling exactly into place, but only time will tell. Something tells me that Christian hasn’t heard about Oliver yet.