Chapter 51
CHAPTER
‘Maybe it’s time for another viral video?’ Elora asked as she worked alongside Cruz, prepping the chicken stock for tomorrow’s risotto. ‘A shot of you from behind wearing an apron, naked underneath it? I know you didn’t go for that idea first time around, but now …’
Cruz growled as he spun around from the stove and tugged her into his arms. ‘Haven’t you seen enough of me naked this past week?’
‘Never enough,’ she murmured, kissing him before slipping out of his arms. ‘We need to get this stock finished, so stop distracting me.’
‘You’re the one who wants me naked.’
She laughed at his faux-innocent expression and pointed at the simmering pot on the stove. ‘That needs your attention. It was just an idea.’
‘No more viral videos,’ he said, popping a bouquet garni of bay leaves, thyme, rosemary and parsley into the stock and replacing the lid. ‘Besides, if this first week is any indication, we won’t need the publicity.’
She liked how he said ‘we’, as if the restaurant belonged to both of them.
It may have been her idea initially, but Cruz had created a wonderful space that would be talked about across the region and beyond.
Smashed had garnered a plethora of five-star reviews online, with only one person leaving a two-star review because they didn’t like avocado.
Join the club. But from what she’d tasted, Cruz’s subtle infusion of the fruit added to the uniqueness of the dishes, and she’d grown to like the mushy green stuff a tad.
‘That’s because your digital marketer is a whiz at her job.’ She blew on her fingernails and polished them against her top. ‘You can thank me later.’
‘The same way I thanked you three times last night?’
He winked and she marvelled at the change in him.
Cruz had become a different person since she first met him, his grumpiness mellowed by a man comfortable in his skin.
He thrived on the farm and her heart physically ached at the thought of leaving him all too soon.
She’d been busting to tell him her news since the call this morning but knew the moment she revealed the biggest opportunity of her career, it would end them.
‘Hey, my lame banter isn’t that bad,’ he said, eyeing her with concern. ‘What’s with the face?’
‘I’ve never been able to hide my emotions.’ She shook her head and braced for a potentially devastating conversation. ‘I have something to tell you.’
‘Okay, this sounds serious. Do I need to sit down?’
‘We both will after this.’ She inhaled a breath and blew it out slowly.
‘I got a call earlier from the biggest pineapple plantation in Queensland. They saw the work I’ve done for your farm and restaurant and want me to do the same for them.
They’re investing millions in a pop-up restaurant similar to yours, highlighting their pineapples in every dish. ’
A smart guy would make the leap between what she said and how much it would be worth to her, and Cruz had brains and then some.
‘I’m assuming you’ll get a sizeable payday if they’re investing millions.’
His monotone scared her, but she had to do this, despite her heart urging her to take the easy way out and disappear into the night. Not that she’d ever do that to him after the time they’d spent together, but witnessing his disappointment when she chose her career over him would break her.
‘Yes. It’s a massive opportunity for me.’
‘And you’re going.’
The pain in his eyes slayed her and her chest tightened. ‘I think so.’
‘That doesn’t sound definitive.’
‘I know it’s not forever but it’s a big move. Far North Queensland is so far away …’ From you, she wanted to say, but an admission like that could change everything. Could she really give up her dreams for a man who hadn’t promised her anything beyond fun while she was in town?
‘Don’t go,’ he whispered, and her heart stalled.
‘Pardon?’
He cleared his throat and eyeballed her, the depth of emotion in his gaze equal parts exhilarating and terrifying. ‘Don’t go. Stay with me. Move in with me. Be with me.’
He took hold of her hand and pressed it against his chest over his heart. ‘I know I’m asking a lot. Hell, it’s probably too much. But I want you to live with me, El. After your job in Queensland, that is, because I would never stifle you.’
Her pulse roared as he pressed a kiss to the back of her hand.
‘I want you to fly, then come back to me.’ He released her hand to slide his arms around her waist. ‘But full disclosure. The craziest thing has happened, and this place is growing on me, to the point I may not sell. I might stick around instead. So I can’t make any promises about returning to Melbourne.
Are you okay with that? Okay with living here with me?
’ His eyes crinkled as he smiled. ‘And in case I didn’t make it clear, this place isn’t the only thing that’s grown on me.
I love having you around. I love having you in my life. ’
He lowered his head to whisper in her ear, ‘I love you.’
Cruz’s declaration cracked the cynical part of her heart that Elora had locked away, allowing her to finally admit the truth to herself, and him.
‘I love you too.’ She clasped her hands behind his neck. ‘Welcome to your new housemate.’
‘Make that roommate,’ he murmured, a second before he kissed her.