Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
F ish's large hands moved with the precision and ease of someone who had spent countless hours in a professional kitchen. This kitchen was unfamiliar to him, but it was laid out as any standard restaurant kitchen, the kind of setup designed to maximize efficiency and keep the chaos of a busy service under control.
The prep area was well-organized, with stainless steel tables lined with cutting boards and bins of ingredients ready to go. The cooking line stretched out with ovens, stoves, and grills in close proximity, all well-worn from heavy use. Near the back, the hum of the walk-in refrigerator and the clatter of dishes from the dishwashing area added to the quiet rhythm of the space.
He'd been in Jed Winchester's kitchen before. The man had tried to woo him away from Chow Town a few months ago. Fish had gone along with the ploy, but only to do a recon mission. Better to keep the competition close than to have no clue what they were doing.
Beside him, Jules reached for the almond flour. But his hand was already there, passing it to her with a small smile. She looked up, surprised, but didn’t say anything, just took the flour and started measuring.
Fish watched as she carefully sifted it into the bowl, her movements fluid and practiced. When she moved to grab the cocoa powder, again he was there, holding it out to her in the precise measuring cup her recipe called for.
“I could get used to this," she said.
"Having the help?"
"No, having my needs anticipated before I voice them."
Fish gave a shrug of one shoulder, but he couldn't hide the delight that warmed him from the inside out. "I've memorized all of your recipes. It's a habit of mine, knowing the details of the things that are important to me."
Jules looked at him for a moment longer. He saw the flicker of something in her eyes—gratitude, yes, but also something warmer, something that made his heart do a little flip in his chest.
The rich, earthy scent of chocolate began to fill the room, mingling with the nutty aroma of the almond flour. Fish handed her the vanilla extract just as she reached for it, their fingers brushing slightly, sending a tiny spark of electricity up his arm.
“Thanks,” she murmured, her voice soft, almost shy.
He didn’t respond, just nodded, knowing that any words he said might break the delicate thread of connection weaving between them.
The dessert was finally ready for the oven, and as he slid the tray in, Jules wiped her hands on a towel, her eyes following him. “You really didn’t have to help with all of this, you know.”
"Of course I did. We're partners. But you're still the boss."
"Most men would have a problem with that—following the lead of a woman."
“Not soldiers. There are plenty of women who outrank me. And that includes your sister. Besides, I’ve always been good at taking orders.”
“Yeah, but you’re also really good at giving them. I've seen how you are with the Chow Town staff.”
Fish smiled, stepping closer, so close he could see the flecks of gold in her brown eyes. “I guess it depends on who I’m working with.”
For a moment, they just stood there, the space between them charged with a quiet intensity. It was Jules who took a small step back. Her cheeks flushed, whether from the heat of the kitchen or something else, Fish couldn’t tell.
"We need to get to work on the other dishes."
Fish followed her lead, but he couldn't help but sneak longing glances as her back was turned. She had a great back. His eyes traced the curve of Jules’s spine as she stood at the counter, her hands deftly rolling out dough. The way her swan-like neck arched gracefully down to her shoulders held his gaze, the delicate line of her shoulder blades moving subtly beneath her shirt with each motion. His eyes traveled lower, taking in the soft, natural curve of her hourglass figure, the way her waist tapered in before flaring out again at her hips.
He was lost in the quiet rhythm of her movements, mesmerized by the effortless grace she brought to even the simplest tasks. Then, without warning, Jules turned, her eyes meeting his with a quizzical look, and Fish startled, heat creeping up the back of his neck as though he’d been caught red-handed. She's said something to him and was now repeating it.
"Can you pass me the sugar substitute?"
Fish reached for the container on a high shelf, his muscles flexing effortlessly. He handed it to her with a smile, enjoying the brief moment of contact when their fingers brushed. He felt her eyes on him, a soft, appreciative gaze that sent shivers down his spine. Yeah, he was preening for her.
Just as they slid another tray into the oven, a sharp beep filled the air, startling them both. Jules's diabetes monitor was going off. She glanced at it, her expression shifting to concern.
"What's wrong?"
"It's not an emergency, just an alert," Jules replied, her voice steady but tinged with worry. "I need something to bring my blood sugar up."
Fish stepped closer, his protective instincts kicking in. "Tell me what you need, and I'll get it."
"Can you see if there's some orange juice in the refrigerator area?"
Fish moved quickly toward the walk-in fridge, his mind focused on getting the orange juice for Jules. As he stepped inside, the cold air hit him. He grabbed the juice, but as he turned to leave, he bumped into Jed.
There was a smirk playing at the corner of the other man's mouth. "How’d you snag the doctor’s girlfriend for a wife?"
Fish didn’t respond, his jaw tightening. His thoughts were only on getting back to Jules. But Jed wasn’t finished.
"My father knew Old Man Chou," Jed continued, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Heard there were some stipulations in his will about the girls getting married before they got their inheritance. That true?"
"I don’t know what you heard, but I’m in love with my wife." Fish's voice was low enough for Jules not to hear, but loud enough for Jed to take the hint to get out of his way.
Jed studied him for a moment, his expression shifting to something more serious. "I believe you," he said finally. "Just like I believe Noah is head over heels for Jacqui. Makes me wonder about Jami. If she…"
Jed's voice trailed off, as did his vision. His gaze went unfocused. Fish didn't care to get the man back on track about the middle Chou sister. He was far too concerned about the youngest one, the one who had him wrapped around her little finger.
He pushed past Jed and headed back to the kitchen, the cold air from the fridge trailing behind him. As he entered the warm, fragrant kitchen, he saw Jules waiting.
"Here," he said, handing her the orange juice.
"I'm usually on top of these things." She took a long sip, her throat working as she took in half of the bottle of the citrus drink. When she finished, she swiped at her mouth with the back of her hand. "Are you going to tell me I need to take better care of myself?"
"Are you not taking care of yourself?"
"I should've had a snack earlier. That would've headed this off."
"Sometimes we make mistakes or have oversight. No one got hurt."
"I could have."
"I have your back."
"My front, too."
"Because I'm your snow plow."
"Yeah." Jules tipped the bottle back and finished the drink.
Fish watched her, his worry easing as he saw her color return. When she finished, there was a smidge of juice at the corner of her mouth. Without thinking, Fish reached out and used his thumb to wipe it away.
Jules gasped softly, her eyes widening at the intimate gesture.
"Sorry," he murmured, but his thumb still lingered at the corner of her mouth, the moment charged with unspoken feelings. Her lips were so close, so ripe for a kiss.
Another beeping sound interrupted them. Fish looked at her arm, but the monitor was silent. It was the oven timer going off this time. The loud beep echoed through the kitchen, pulling them back to reality.
Fish stepped back, clearing his throat. "I’ll get that."
Jules nodded, her cheeks flushed. "Right, the pastries."
As Fish turned to the oven, the warm scent of baked goods filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of the orange juice. He carefully pulled out the tray, the golden-brown pastries steaming and perfect. Despite the chaos and the unexpected interruptions, Fish felt a deep sense of contentment. Working with Jules, being there for her, made everything else fade away.