Chapter 7 #2
“I’m aware.” His tone leaves no room for discussion, but I’m perplexed by his offer. Again.
“Do you often give staff a ride home?”
“You’re the first.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to know you get home safely.”
“Why me? Why do you care?”
“I finally have someone to impart a little wisdom to. I can’t have you getting mugged or worse on your way home. It’s purely selfish.”
I fight to control my face. I want to smile ear to ear, unable to meet his gaze.
“Well, if it’s purely selfish, I guess I can’t say no.”
“Glad we’re on the same page. I’ll be in my office when you’re ready.”
I disappear to the locker room to get changed, my heart galloping in my chest. I know nothing can happen, but the fact that there feels like even the smallest spark between us has me giddy.
Eyes on the prize, Aspen. I can’t let my libido get in the way.
Once I’m ready and have freshened up my makeup at midnight—let’s not read too much into that—I head to his office.
It reflects the man I’ve seen create a masterpiece with food. Everything is perfect. Right where it’s supposed to be. Nothing out of place. He strides across the room with a confident gait, but when he takes a seat behind his desk, his face says something else.
“If it’s too much of a bother, don’t worry. I can walk.”
“It’s fine. I just need to send this email, and we can go.”
“You really don’t need to take me.”
He levels me with his stare. “I’m driving you. We already discussed this. End of story.”
“You’re kind of cranky at the end of the night.” It comes out before I think better of it. “Sir. Respectfully.”
He leans back, a panty-melting grin spreading across his flawless features. With his hands behind his head, he considers me for a moment. “I like your lack of filter.”
“Really? Because you look like I’m about to get my marching orders.”
“Not at all. I just have a lot going on right now.”
“All the more reason not to concern yourself with getting me home. I’m a big girl.”
“Remember two seconds ago when I said, ‘end of story?’ I meant it.”
“Of course, sir.”
“The plans for the new restaurant have me worked up.”
“You need some stress relief.” I smile.
“Is that an offer?” He smirks, his eyes dark.
“Oh. I didn’t mean it to come out like that. I wasn’t trying to be inappropriate. I should just go.” I am mortified, even as he chuckles in response.
“It would’ve been a tempting offer. Like you said, though, inappropriate.”
Did he just say it would be tempting? I must’ve misheard him. I’m lost for words, and he knows it. I sit patiently while he finishes his email, then he grabs his keys.
“Let’s go.” He ushers me out of his office, his hand on the small of my back, and it sends a shiver down my spine.
When we reach his car, it’s different again. This guy likes cars. “How many cars do you own?”
“More than I care to answer,” he says with a cheeky grin.
“We live in Manhattan. It’s gridlock traffic ninety percent of the time. How do you even get to enjoy them?”
“My parents have a place in the Hamptons. When I go to visit, I open this baby up and let her purr.” He opens the passenger door for me.
“Do you get a chance to go up there often?”
“I go as often as I can. Work takes up most of my time, but my dad is the reason I do what I do. He’s a chef and opened his own restaurant at my age.
He franchised it before he turned thirty.
We’re really close.” He jogs around the car and slinks into the driver’s seat.
“What about you? Are you close to your family?”
“They weren’t exactly thrilled when I didn’t want to enter the family business. Being an accountant just wasn’t on my radar. We see each other for holidays and special occasions, but generally, we get on better when it’s from a distance.”
“I’m sorry. That’s tough.”
“Not really. I think it’s just life as you grow up.”
“Am I the weirdo here who gets along great with his family?”
“Not at all. I think that’s amazing. Do you have any siblings?”
“Three brothers and a sister.”
“Wow! That’s crazy to me. I’m an only child. My best friend is the closest I have to a sister.”
“They’re great. We butted heads as kids, but we’re all pretty tight now. Close in age, so that helps.”
“Are they chefs also?” Our conversation is so easy as we navigate the traffic. It’s still chaos even at this time of night.
“No. We all chose different paths. My sister is a doctor. My older brother is a hockey player for the Falcons. My two younger brothers are twins. Jamie is a firefighter, and Rocco drives NASCAR.”
“You have a very accomplished family. Your parents must be proud. I think your mom is probably a saint, having so many kids. I can’t imagine having so many siblings.”
“It’s loud, but it’s a lot of fun.”
“Wait a minute. Your brother plays for the Falcons?”
“Yeah.”
“Griffin Stevens,” we say in unison.
“Oh my God. My roommate is obsessed with him. Wait until she hears this.”
“I can arrange for her to meet him sometime if you’d like.”
“Seriously? She would love me forever. I don’t want to put you to any trouble, though.”
“Not a problem. I’m used to everyone wanting to meet ‘the hot Stevens brother.’ ”
“You’re kidding, right?” I can’t help the laughter that escapes me.
“What?”
“You’re ridiculous-looking. Like so handsome it should be illegal. Greek god gorgeous. Your brother is hot, but not even close to you.” I realize I’ve just overstepped by a good mile or two.
“Greek god, huh?” His smile is earth-shattering.
“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“I’m not going to turn down a compliment.” I am so relieved when my building comes into view. This car has become claustrophobic all of a sudden.
“It was still inappropriate. You’re my boss.”
“I’m a human being. I would like to think that I’m not just a ‘boss.’ We’re going to be working together in close quarters, so I’d like to think we can become friends.
” That’s the letdown of the century. It’s the ‘I like you… as a friend.’ I call him a god—I’ll berate myself for that later—and I’m a ‘friend.’
“Sure. Thanks for the ride,” I say as he comes to a stop in front of my building.
I’m about to jump out of the car as quickly as possible when he reaches over and rests his hand on my arm. “It’s really fine. Don’t worry about it, Aspen.”
“Thanks.” I open the door and don’t look back. If the ground could open and swallow me whole right now, I’d take it. I scurry inside, mortified that I just embarrassed myself in front of Chef Stevens.
When the elevator reaches my floor, my shoulders sag as I unlock the door to my apartment. I’m surprised to see the lights on and find Jude sipping on a glass of wine in the living room.
“Hey, bestie! Want a drink?”
“Yes,” I huff as I drop down on the couch beside her.
“Bad night?”
“It was great until I told my boss he looks like a Greek god. And it’s all your fault.”
“What?” She chokes on a mouthful of white wine. “Don’t move. I’m going to get you a glass, and I think we’re going to need another bottle of wine for this.”
“Yeah, I can drink straight out of the bottle at this point.” I shrug out of my jacket and toss my bag on the coffee table.
When Jude returns, she hands me a chilled glass of chardonnay, which I proceed to drain and hold out for another.
“What the hell happened? And why am I to blame?”
“You’ve seen the pictures of my boss online.”
“Yeah, he’s hot as fuck.”
“Well, he offered to drive me home.”
“Girl! He likes you.”
“You won’t be saying that when I get to the end of my story.”
“Sorry, but how many other employees does he drive home?”
“None that I know of.”
“I’m totally right.”
“Stop.” I take a sip from my glass.
“Okay. Okay. Tell me why I’m to blame.”
“His brother is Griffin Stevens.”
“Shut the fuck up! You’re lying.”
“I’m not. We were talking about his family, and he told me his older brother plays for the Falcons.”
“Oh my God! He’s so fucking hot. Their family gene pool is seriously amazing.”
“I told him you’re obsessed.”
“The things I would let that man do to me. Holy shit.”
“Anyway. He made a joke about everyone wanting to meet his ‘hot’ brother, and I just…”
“Can he introduce me? That would be so sick.”
“He already offered. But can we get back to me making a colossal ass of myself, which means that we can never take him up on the offer?”
“Sorry.” She giggles.
“I told him he’s a Greek god.” I set my glass on the table and drop my head in my hands. “It was mortifying.”
The laughter that escapes her only confirms my fears—I made an ass of myself. “Oh my God, Aspen! What were you thinking?”
“I wasn’t! It just sort of came out, and then I couldn’t take it back.”
“What did he say?”
“That he hoped we could become friends.”
“Ugh. Sorry, girl. That’s harsh.”
“It’s not like I’d have a shot with a guy like him.”
“He’d be lucky to have a woman like you. You’re gorgeous, kind, and supremely talented.”
“And I work two jobs, and I’m a baby chef compared to him.”
“You work hard. There’s nothing wrong with that, and you have career goals. Remember, he was once just a ‘baby chef’ starting out and hoping to make a name for himself.”
“He’s amazing. I can’t mess this up. There is so much I can learn from him.”
“Did he seem pissed that you fawned over his drool-worthy good looks?”
“No.”
“Then forget about it and move on because I want to meet his brother so bad it’s insane.”
“Thanks for making this about you,” I jibe.
“That’s what I do, bestie, and you love me for it.”
“I need another drink.”
It’s four in the morning by the time I crawl into bed, but hanging out with Jude took my mind off Ryder, at least for a little while.
As I stare up at the ceiling fan, watching it whir, letting it lull me to sleep, my mind wanders to the glint in his eye that twinkles when he gets excited about food, and the way the corners of his lips create a perfect smile that sends a jolt of electricity straight to my core.
This is going to be the challenge of a lifetime. Don’t fall for Ryder Stevens.