Chapter 20
The lunch rush was in full swing when I stepped out of the kitchen to check the floor.
The restaurant was alive the way just the way I liked it.
Servers gliding between tables, low conversation mixing with the soft jazz playing overhead.
I scanned the room out of habit, checking on timing, flow, making sure everything was hitting the way it needed to. That’s when I saw her.
Gianna stood just inside the entrance, one hand resting lightly on the door as her eyes moved around the space, taking everything in. She looked effortless. Soft. Pretty as hell in a sundress with her hair pulled up and dark shades resting on top of her head.
For a second, I just stood there, blinking making sure she was real. Then I was moving.
“Gianna?” I called, a smile already pulling at my mouth.
Her head turned and that smile hit me—warm, a little mischievous. “Hey, handsome,” she said.
I let out a quiet laugh as I walked up to her, still a little surprised. “What are you doing here, beautiful?”
She shrugged one shoulder, casual as ever. “I was in the area and figured I’d stop by. That okay?”
“Yeah, it’s more than okay,” I said quickly, probably a little too quick. I ran my hand down the back of my neck, grinning. “You just… caught me off guard, that’s all.”
“I can leave if you're busy,” she teased, already turning slightly like she might head back out.
I reached for her hand, stopping her. “Nah,” I said, tightening my grip just a little. “You not going anywhere. Come here.” I pulled her into my arms, hugging her tightly. "I'm glad you're here." We pulled back.
She looked up at me, that same soft smile playing on her lips. “I wanted to see you,” she said quietly.
My heart fluttered. I took her hand, kissed the top softly. "Thank you for coming." Lacing my fingers in hers, I smiled. "Since you're here, let me show you around." I led her further inside, the energy of the restaurant shifting as a couple of my staff clocked me bringing someone through.
I guided her toward the back. “You ever been in a kitchen during service?”
She shook her head. “Nope.”
“Alright,” I said, pushing the door open. “Brace yourself.”
The second we stepped in, the heat wrapped around us, along with the sound of sizzling pans and voices calling out times.
“Behind!”
“Corner!”
“Two scallops walking!”
Gianna’s eyes widened slightly as she took it all in. She leaned closer to me, curious. “This is crazy,” she said under her breath.
“You should see dinner service,” I replied, a little proud.
A few of my chefs glanced up when they saw me bring her through. I caught the looks. Curiosity. Respect. A couple smirks.
I nodded toward them. “Y’all focus,” I said, but there was no bite to it. I turned back to her. “This is where the magic happens.”
She looked at me, then back at the kitchen, then back at me again. “I can see that,” she said softly.
Before I could respond, my manager Sheila stepped in. She paused when she noticed Gianna and our hands interlocked. A smile crossed her lips quickly before she spoke. “Tasha just called in. She's sick. We're short on the floor so I'm going to fill in.”
I frowned slightly, glancing out toward the dining room. “That’s not ideal,” I muttered.
“I can help,” Gianna piped up.
I looked back at her. “You what?”
She smiled. “I can help. I’ll fill in.”
I blinked, surprised. "No. You're here to see me, not work. Plus, you look so beautiful in your dress." I shook my head. "I'll figure it out, no worries."
Her fingers tightened around mine and she turned to me. "It's no problem. For real. I don't mind. I've already memorized your menu at this point."
I searched her face. She was serious. “Have you ever served before?”
“No,” she said easily. “But I’m good at taking directions, and I know how to work a room.”
I stared at her for a second longer. My eyes shifted to Sheila who offered a smile and soft shrug.
I laughed. “Wow,” I shook my head. “You're serious?”
“Dead serious,” she nodded. “Put me in, Coach.”
I looked her up and down. Then I exhaled, already giving in. “Alright,” I said. “If you insist…"
She squeezed my hand again. "I got you," she smiled.
"Let's give it a go. I have some uniforms in the back." I turned back to Sheila. "See if you can find coverage. I don't want her to be stuck on the floor for long."
"Of course, Chef." Sheila turned to Gianna. "And thank you—?"
"Gianna." She smiled warmly. "No problem."
Sheila returned the smile. "Gianna. Thank you again."
I led Gianna to the storage room where I kept the uniforms then let her change in my bathroom. I had a couple of slip proof shoes in there as well; luckily, she was able to fit a pair. Once she was dressed with her apron tied at her waist, she was ready.
I leaned against my desk taking her in. Grabbing her hands I pulled her closer to me. "You don’t have to do this. Honestly."
"I want to. It's okay. I'm going to make you repay me in food anyway."
We laughed. This woman. I wasn’t expecting this unexpected and thoughtful gesture, but I was grateful. She consistently surprised me and I felt myself falling even harder in that moment. I pulled her closer until her chest pressed against mine.
Without a word, I kissed her tenderly. Her arms wrapped around my neck. The kiss deepened. My arms moving to circle around her waist. She let out a soft moan that made my dick respond instantly. She felt it. Slowly, our lips pulled apart.
She looked down, a small smile on her lips. Instead of stating the obvious, she just wiped her gloss off my lips. "Show me the ropes."
I let out a quiet breath, forcing myself to step back before I forgot we were in the middle of a lunch rush. “Damn,” I muttered under my breath.
She just smiled. “C’mon, Chef,” she teased, adjusting the apron around her waist. “Focus.”
I shook my head, grabbing a server book and a spare pen from my desk.
“Aight. First things first.” I handed them to her.
“You’re gonna start simple,” I continued, slipping into work mode.
“Greet the table within thirty seconds. Smile, eye contact, introduce yourself. You don’t gotta say too much—just make them feel seen. ”
She nodded, already locked in. “Okay. Easy.”
“Write everything down,” I added. “Even if you think you got it. Trust me, you don’t wanna guess in here.”
She laughed softly. “Noted.”
I walked her out onto the floor, staying close but letting her take the lead. A couple of my regulars glanced over, curious. “Table six is yours,” I said quietly, nodding in their direction. “Two. They’re easy.”
She glanced over, then back at me. “You watching?”
“Always,” I smirked.
She rolled her eyes, but a playful smile on her face. Then she turned and walked over like she belonged there. I stayed back, arms folded loosely across my chest, watching.
“Hi, welcome to Simmer & Soul,” she greeted them, her voice warm. “My name’s Gianna, I’ll be taking care of you today.”
The couple looked up at her and at once relaxed. The woman smiled back, the man nodded, already engaged.
Gianna leaned. “Have you dined with us before?” They shook their heads. “Perfect,” she said. “Then I get to guide you through it," she smiled. “Do you prefer something light or are you ready to commit to a full experience today?”
The man chuckled. “Depends on how convincing you are.”
“Oh, I’m very convincing,” she replied smoothly, not missing a beat.
I huffed out a quiet laugh, shaking my head. Yeah… she was a natural. She took their drink order, repeated it back without looking down, then turned and walked toward the bar with a calm confidence that didn’t match “first day” energy at all.
When she passed me, she shot me a quick look. “Well?” she asked under her breath.
I leaned in slightly. “You might be better than half my staff already.”
She smirked. “Don’t gas me.”
“I’m serious.”
She just shook her head, but I could see she was pleased.
The next twenty minutes, I let her move table to table and every time, it was the same thing: eye contact, warmth, and ease.
She remembered small details. Adjusted her tone depending on the table.
Smiled at the right moments. Knew when to step back and when to lean in.
It wasn’t just that she was doing the job. She was reading people. Working the room like she said. I found myself standing still longer than I should’ve been, just watching her.
One of my line cooks bumped my shoulder lightly as he passed. “Chef… you good?”
“Yeah,” I said, not taking my eyes off her. “I’m good.”
Gianna laughed at something one of her tables said, head tipping back slightly, that easy joy lighting up her face.
And it hit me that this wasn’t an act. Or if it was…
it was so natural it didn’t matter. She could exist here.
In my world. Not just be present in it—but thrive.
I didn’t just imagine her fitting into my life. I saw it now clear as day.
I was still watching her when the front door opened again. Didn’t even think twice about it at first—just another table walking in during the rush. Then I looked up. And my heart damn near skipped clean out my chest. “Aw, hell…” I muttered under my breath.
My mama stepped in first, like she owned the place, scanning the room with that familiar, assessing look. My pops was right behind her, hands in his pockets. My sister trailed in, holding my son's hand.
My little man came barreling in when he spotted me. “Hi, Daddy!" he said loud as hell, pointing.
I straightened, my body going tight. Of all days. Of all moments. Today.
I ran my hand down my beard, already moving toward them. “What y’all doing here?” I asked, trying to keep my tone even.
Mama smiled big the second she saw me. “Well damn, we can’t come support you?”
“You can,” I said, leaning down to scoop Melo up into my arms. He wrapped himself around me. “Just ain’t know y’all was coming today.”
“Surprise,” my sister chimed, with a grin. “We were hungry.”
“Clearly,” I muttered, pressing a kiss to Melo’s cheek before setting him back down.
“You working, Daddy?” he asked, eyes wide.