Chapter 22
TWENTY-TWO
Alivia
Me
I’m dreaming about pancakes and YOU.
Walker
You can keep the pancakes. You’re the only thing on my mind, and you haven’t left my mind since I dropped you off at your car.
Me
Please tell me you slept a little last night?
Walker
Three hours, I think. Not bad for me. You?
Me
About the same, maybe a tiny bit more. The chef at the assisted living facility called in sick this morning, so I got to make breakfast for the residents. That was an unexpected and super-exciting surprise. French toast on raisin challah and eggs Benedict.
Walker
Did you make the hollandaise sauce from scratch?
Me
I did. I didn’t even burn it, and—I’m not even going to lie—it came out perfect.
Walker
I’m so fucking proud of you. Bring me some leftovers. I want to see how you do breakfast.
Me
Ok.
Walker
Only a few more hours until I get to wrap my arms around you.
Me
At work?
Walker
In my office …
Me
That seems like an eternity from now.
Walker
Before you hit the dining room and start your shift, stop by my office.
Me
Oooh, am I in trouble?
Walker
Do you want to be?
Me
I think I do.
Walker
Can I trust that you’ll be quiet so the entire kitchen staff doesn’t hear you moaning? Not a chance. One thing my girl isn’t is quiet.
Me
That’s your fault … not mine.
Iadjusted the strap of my bag, keeping the to-go box secure in my hand as I knocked on Walker’s office door. “It’s Alivia,” I said before he growled or screamed from the other side.
“Come in.”
I twisted the knob and stepped in, closing the door behind me. “Hi.” A bit of breath caught in my throat as I looked at him sitting behind his desk.
My God, he was just so hot.
That beard.
Those green eyes.
The lips that had kissed every inch of my body.
His chef’s uniform.
I couldn’t get enough.
It didn’t matter how many times I saw him during the week. Or the honesty and vulnerability that had been shared between us. Or the closer the two of us got. If even the smallest amount of time passed, my body completely set on fire whenever I saw him again.
“Alivia …”
My lips pulled into a smile as I read his stare.
“Stop looking at me like you want to eat me. You can’t.
At least not for another five or six hours, until the restaurant is closed and everyone leaves for the night.
So, wipe that look right off your face.” I took a few steps forward and placed the box on his desk. “Eat that in the meantime.”
“I can’t help it. I want to fucking devour you.” He pointed at the chair. “Take a seat.”
I backed up to the door. “I think I’ll stay over here. That way, you can’t swipe me with one of your paws.” I winked.
He chuckled as he opened the box, taking a long look inside. “Impressive.”
“Don’t say that until you taste it.” I nodded toward him.
He grabbed a fork and knife from his desk drawer and cut off a piece of the French toast. He examined it up close and put it in his mouth. He then did the same with the eggs Benedict, dipping it into the container of hollandaise sauce before he ate it.
“I hate the thought that it’s probably cold—”
He held up his finger, tapping the air with it once I went silent. And when he finished chewing, he said, “Damn, girl.”
I huffed. “What?”
“What?” He leaned back in his chair. “Your breakfast is better than mine.”
I felt my face instantly redden. “No way. That’s not even possible.
There isn’t even any salt on the food. I can’t use it there—we’re not allowed.
And I didn’t add as much cinnamon as I wanted because some of the residents are sensitive to it.
And I would have snuck some butter in the water when I poached the egg, but—”
“Alivia …”
I took a deep breath. “Yes?”
“It was perfect. Every bit of it.”
I walked over to the chair and slumped down in it. “I almost had a panic attack on the way over here, thinking you were going to try more of my cooking.” A thought then occurred to me. “You would be honest with me, wouldn’t you?”
He was chewing another bite of the French toast when he said, “Haven’t you heard me tear apart the employees in this kitchen?”
The multiple memories made me shiver. “Yes. But it’s me we’re talking about.”
“So?”
“Maybe you’d be a little softer?”
“Would you want that?”
I adamantly shook my head. “The only way I’m going to learn is if you tell me the truth.”
“I think we both know I can’t sugarcoat a goddamn thing. Whatever comes out of my mouth is brutal. You will hear the truth, I promise.” He dipped his finger into the hollandaise sauce and licked it off. “Did you use white pepper instead of black?”
“I used both, but heavier on the white.”
He smiled. “I’m going to steal that idea.” He checked his watch. “All right, we’ve got to get to it because I have a meeting with one of my suppliers and you need to start your side work before the dinner shift begins.” He moved the box a little to the left after taking another bite of the egg.
“Side note: I’ll never get tired of watching you eat my food. Like never ever.”
He laughed.
“I’ll also never get tired of hearing you laugh,” I added.
His grunt was a little moan-like. “You’re distracting me, Alivia.”
“You’re distracting me! You’re even a hot eater—and no one’s a hot eater.” I shook my head, moving those thoughts away. “Okay, back to it. What do you want to talk to me about?” I fanned my face.
He rubbed his hand over his beard, each swipe hiding his smile. “Two reasons. The first, when is your next day off from the assisted living facility?”
“Saturday.”
“Saturday, as in four days from now?” His brows rose.
I nodded.
He typed something on the keyboard of his computer and said, “You’re scheduled to serve here Friday night.”
“I am.”
“Can you swap out that shift with someone else?”
My eyes narrowed as I looked at him. “I’m shocked you don’t just hit a button and have that taken care of.” I grabbed the edge of his desk. “Shocked and pleased, I should say. Yes, I’m sure I can swap out the shift. That shouldn’t be a problem at all. Why?”
“You just raised my second point, but before we switch over to that, once you get Friday night cleared, plan to spend it with me.”
“Ohhh.” I crossed my arms.
“Oh?”
I laughed. “Yes, oh. You’re making plans for us. I like that.”
“Did you think I was going to keep you prisoner in my house and not take you anywhere?”
“Honestly, that sounds kinda fabulous, and I wouldn’t mind.” I crossed my legs. “Walker, all I want is to be with you. We don’t have to ever go anywhere.”
“Mmm. Fuck me, you’re sweet.”
“But it’s true. I’ve had some of the best times of my life when you and I didn’t go anywhere.” I held up my hand, counting on my fingers. “The hotel room, for one. Cooking together here, for two. Pancakes, three.”
“I’m with you on that, but there’s so much I want to show you. So many places I want to take you.” He went quiet for a moment. “You’re open to that, yeah?”
“Of course. I just want you to know that you don’t have to do any of that, but you absolutely can if you want to.”
He nodded. “Now regarding the second reason I wanted to chat.” His head lowered, and he broke eye contact. “I don’t know how the staff here would react if they found out we were dating. I just don’t want them to give you any shit for being with the boss—”
“I would prefer not to tell them.” I breathed a sigh of relief.
“I was actually going to mention this to you when I spent the night at your house, and it completely escaped my mind.” I moved to the end of the chair.
“Things are just starting to feel right here. If everyone finds out we’re together, I fear that’ll turn things messy.
Walker … I don’t have it in me to deal with messy right now. ”
“Messy is the last thing I want for you.” He clasped his hands together. “So, you’re telling me you’re good with this?”
“Beyond good.”
He lifted his head even though his eyes had returned to me. “And Friday, as soon as you get finished with job one, you’re all mine …”
“Yes.” I smiled. “All yours.”
Me
Will you give me a hint of what you have planned?
Walker
Why?
Me
Because I’m trying to plan ahead and pack a little and I have no idea what to bring.
Walker
You don’t need to pack or bring anything.
Me
What does that even mean? I need clothes to wear to wherever we’re going.
Walker
Clothes, makeup (even though you barely wear any), jewelry (even though you barely wear any of that either), shoes—it’s all taken care of.
Me
What? How? And why?
Walker
Because that’s who I am, and now that you’re with me, that’s something you’re going to have to get used to.
Me
You don’t have to spoil me, Walker. I have clothes. I have shoes. I have a necklace … somewhere, lol, if I can find it.
Walker
I’m not spoiling you. I’m giving you things, and that’s what I want to do.
Like every time you use those knives, I’m on your mind, and I enjoy the thought of that.
I want to see the clothes I chose on your gorgeous body.
I want to see the earrings I picked out in your delicate ears.
I want to see the shoes I bought on your cute little feet.
Me
I was going to fight you on this, but how can I when you word things like that?
Walker
I’m not a good loser, Alivia. I’m a much better winner. Keep that in mind before we ever go to battle.
Me
See you tomorrow at Charred.