Chapter Ten Summer #2
I’ve tried asking about it so many times, but I keep chickening out.
Plus, he’s been gone these last two days.
I’ve returned to working mostly with Warner while still trying to put together a decent menu that I plan to present to Ezra on Monday.
He didn’t give me a deadline or anything, but it seems like a good time to get started on it, considering that everything we’ve ordered should arrive within the next two weeks.
“You look great,” Odette says as I approach. She wraps me in a quick hug before letting me go.
“Thanks, so do you.”
“It’s the fiancée effect.” She winks. “Come on. Let’s order. I’m starving.”
We walk to the front of the small restaurant and place our orders—a bacon cheeseburger for her and a pastrami and Swiss burger for me, and two baskets of fries, because why not?
“I’m glad I could peel you away from the cidery,” Odette says, a bottle of soda sitting in front of her.
I always loved the little old-timey coolers they have here, stocked with drinks you probably forgot even existed.
“Noah said you’re working almost full-time.
Is that because of the kitchen renovation?
You’re helping with the menu, right? Which, by the way, Noah and I are so thankful for you saying yes.
We know it’s a lot and you’re on a tight timeline with the wedding coming up in just eight weeks, but it’s going to be so big for Stick Taps. ”
“Of course. I’m happy to help,” I say, twisting off the top of my orange cream soda.
“So, with all that work, does that mean you’re staying in Port Harbor?” she asks.
I can’t deny that the more time I spend here, the more my answer leans toward yes.
I’ve missed it. Plus, it’s been nice being around my dad again.
Moving close to him wouldn’t be the worst thing.
He became my best friend after my mother passed, and being away from him for so long was harder than I let myself believe.
And it’s obvious he needs me around. If not, he’d probably be eating all the bacon the grocery store has to offer.
“I haven’t made any final decisions yet, but I do know I’m going to be staying for a while still. My dad likes having me around, so we’ll see.”
Odette frowns. “I had heard about his heart incident. He’s doing okay, right?”
I nod. “He is, especially now that I have him on a special diet. But still, you know what it’s like watching your parents get older. It’s hard. You want to be there for them.”
“I completely understand. I mean, my mother isn’t slowing down at all and has been having far too much fun with Ken lately, but I get it.”
“As in the very good-looking man who owns Sunnie’s? God, I love their fritters there.”
“They are to die for, aren’t they? But yes, the same Ken. They’ve been together for a while now. It’s cute, especially since you know what my family has been through as far as the curse goes.”
She rolls her eyes, but I recall how Odette used to fret over the alleged curse that had been burdening the women in her family. They all swore they’d never know true love, but look at them now. They seem to be doing quite well to me.
“That’s amazing. I’m happy for her. And you, too, by the way. Can’t believe your teenage crush on Noah came to fruition.”
She giggles, her entire face lighting up just thinking about her fiancé. “I know. It’s wild, isn’t it? I’m just . . .” She sighs dreamily. “I’m in love. Like out of my mind in love. Is that silly?”
“Not at all. It’s sweet. Can’t say I’ve ever felt that. The only person who makes me feel out of my mind is . . .” But I don’t finish that sentence. Instead, I take a swig of my soda.
“Ah, ah, ah. You’re finishing that sentence, Summer Turner,” she says, pointing her own drink at me. “Who is it? Do I know him?”
“Uh, you could say that.” I take another quick drink before answering.
“It’s Ezra.” Her eyes widen. “No, no. Not in the way you’re thinking.
I don’t like him or anything. He’s just infuriating, is all.
Like so completely obnoxious. And a total grump to boot.
Have you seen the way he walks around the cidery?
He’s constantly scowling—it’s so frustrating working with him.
His employees call him Grump Ass, and I can see why.
That’s exactly what he is. A grump and an ass. ”
She’s grinning by the time I’m done talking, and I fidget in my seat because I don’t like it one bit.
“What?” I ask when she doesn’t say anything.
“Nothing. You just remind me of me.”
“What do you mean?”
She lifts a shoulder, taking a swig of her soda before saying, “I was the same way when I was falling for Noah. I thought everything he did was annoying, but it turns out I was just completely in love with him.”
I can’t help it—I laugh. “You think I’m in love with Ezra Rawlings?”
“Maybe not in love with him, but it certainly sounds like you could have a little crush.” She pinches her fingers together to emphasize it.
I laugh harder. “No, no. That is not what’s happening.”
“Why not? He’s hot.”
I raise my brows. “Does Noah know how you feel about his business partner?”
“Please.” She waves her hand. “Noah is the only man for me. Everyone knows that. It doesn’t mean that I can’t acknowledge how good looking Ezra is, and he truly is. All the brooding he does. That perpetual frown. His green eyes.”
“Are you sure it’s Noah you want?” I tease.
“Yes, very much so. That man makes me so happy, I swear I see stars every time I kiss him.”
Her words make me smile, but I can’t deny they also make me feel a bit . . . well, jealous. The last time I saw stars was when I kissed Ezra.
I don’t want to pretend it didn’t happen. Just so we’re clear.
I wish I could talk to Odette about this, ask her what he could mean, but now that she suspects I might have a crush on him—which I so don’t—I’d rather not give her more ammo.
“Look,” she continues, “all I’m saying is, it might not be a bad idea. Ezra doesn’t do relationships anyway, so it could totally be fun to have a little fling, you know? I’m sure taking care of your father is stressful. Why not relieve the stress with him?”
It doesn’t sound like a bad idea on paper. But it’s a lot more complicated than that.
“He can barely tolerate being in the same room as me. Besides, did you forget that he’s my boss?”
“Okay, first of all, Ezra can barely tolerate being in the same room as anyone. Secondly, he might be your boss technically, but is he really? Your dad forced him to hire you. I’m pretty sure that already blurs a whole lot of lines.
And third, he’s handpicked you to be his right-hand person for this kitchen remodel. That’s kind of a big deal, no?”
“Well, I am a chef, so it makes sense.”
She flattens her lips. “Hmm.”
“Hmm? What does that mean?”
She sighs. “It’s just . . . Ezra is . . .
well, he’s Ezra. He’s very introverted. He never wants to hang out with me and Noah or do anything fun ever.
I guess I’m just surprised he’s so keen on spending that much time with you if he doesn’t like you—he’s very much a ‘do it himself’ kind of guy.
He barely lets Noah help him with anything, and they’re partners. ”
I shift in my chair. “It’s only because I know a lot about the subject. That’s all.”
“I’m sure it is. But—”
“Order for Odette!” someone calls from the front counter.
“Hold that thought,” Odette says as she rises from her chair to grab our burgers.
She comes back right away, setting my lunch in front of me, and we immediately dive into our food, she with more fervor than I.
I can’t eat. I’m too focused on what she could possibly mean.
Why is Ezra spending so much time with me? Why was he so insistent that it was me who helped him with the remodel? There are plenty of other people he could have called on for that. Plenty of other chefs in Port Harbor too.
So why me? Why not someone else?
And why . . . why do I want to help him so much?
Odette never finishes her thought, and I never bring it back up either. All I want is to forget about Ezra Rawlings for one day.
Easier said than done.