Chapter 32
THIRTY-TWO
Alivia
Walker was up to something. I could tell by the way he’d left the bedroom so early in the morning and how, when his phone had rung, he’d told the person to hold on, and he took the call in his office, shutting the door behind him.
He never closed me out.
He never took calls in private even if they were work-related.
Curiosity forced me out of bed, so I went into the kitchen, and while the coffee maker was working its magic, I started breakfast. A quick peek into the fridge gave me all the inspiration I needed.
Toasted sourdough with a heavy spread of avocado, smoked salmon, poached eggs, microgreens, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze on top.
It took no time to whip it up, and just as I was setting his plate and coffee on the island, mixed to his liking, I heard him enter the kitchen, his steps too heavy to hide.
Instead of acknowledging him, I filled my hands with my coffee and plate, and as I was headed for the island again to place it all next to his, I heard, “Smells amazing.”
Before I took a seat, I turned toward him, smiling.
He was leaning into the side of the tall cabinets, watching me with his arms crossed.
He had on a pair of gray sweatpants and nothing else.
I could see the outline of his tip through the fabric, and I about lost it.
That feeling only worsened when I took in the muscles in his arms and the ones in his pecs.
Perfection. That was what he was.
But as I gazed up, it was his eyes that completely captured me. A stare that made me feel as though I were standing here naked.
“Hungry?” I giggled, knowing just how he was going to take that question.
“Fucking starving.”
I pointed at the barstool next to me. “Come sit and eat—your breakfast, I mean.”
“That’s all you’re letting me taste?”
“How about we start with food and see where it takes us?”
“Fair.” He joined me at the island, and I held my mug while I watched him take his first bite.
“Jesus.” He wiped his mouth and took a sip of coffee. “No one makes eggs as well as you.”
“That’s because I make them with love.”
“And spiced butter.”
I laughed. “That too.” I took a long drink of my coffee and stretched my arms over my head before I cut into the toast. “I’m going to head over to Alivia’s once I take a shower. I want to make sure—”
“No, you’re not.”
Was I about to find out why he’d taken the phone call in the office? Or was his response related to something else?
“I’m … not?”
“You’re taking a shower, and then you’re coming with me.”
I hid my smile. I was right. Walker was definitely up to something.
“And where are we going?”
“The airport.”
My hand went to his bare shoulder, my anxiety spiking as I thought about everything I needed to get done before I went into work tonight. “What? No. I can’t leave. I can’t—”
“I’ll return you by Sunday.”
“Sunday?” I couldn’t breathe. “Walker, that’s four days from now. In those four days, I have three shifts at Charred and endless stuff at Alivia’s that I need to handle and—”
“You don’t have any shifts at Charred.”
My eyes widened. “You requested time off for me?”
He so nonchalantly took another bite, and when the smoked salmon fell onto his plate, he popped it into his mouth. “I spoke to the guys in the kitchen and switched some of their schedules around.”
“And what about Alivia’s? What about what’s happening there? We need to go there daily and—”
“Alivia’s will be fine while we’re gone. I spoke to Eden. She’s going to go over and check out the progress every day. Don’t worry, nothing slides past her. If she even gets a whiff of something not being right, she’ll be blowing up my phone.” He took a drink of coffee.
“Let me just make sure I understand this.” I swiveled the barstool so I could face him. “You used your powers to switch my work shifts—”
“Which I can do.” He finally looked at me. His grin was over-the-top sexy, which only added to what I was already feeling. “I’m the owner. Regardless if I work there or not.”
“And you’re having your sister take over my responsibilities at Alivia’s?”
“I’m having her help out. She’s not taking over anything.” His eyes narrowed. “I can’t tell if you’re mad? Or if you want me to tear your clothes off?”
I laughed. “You’re unbelievable.” I let out a loud breath. “And to answer your question, I think it’s a little of both.”
His hands suddenly surrounded my face. “I know you love being at Charred. I know how important Alivia’s is to you and how you want to be there for every step of the process.
But I also know how busy things are going to get as we near opening night.
And once the restaurant officially opens, it’s going to be hard to tear you away.
” He kissed me. “I wouldn’t do what I’m doing if it wasn’t important.
And necessary. And if I didn’t think you were going to fucking love it. ” He paused. “Trust me.”
“Well … how can I say no to that?”
He chuckled. “Let’s finish this incredible breakfast, take a shower together, and then we’ll be on our way.”
“Don’t I have to pack? Or …”
“That’s already done.”
I shook my head, the grin spreading. “Of course it is. I’m not even a little surprised.”
Me
He’s taking me away from today until Sunday. I don’t know where. I just know it involves flying. And even though I have no less than a million things on my to-do list, I could use the escape. Lex, how did I get a man like this?
Lex
Because you deserve one—that’s how. Also, I love him. And also, is there room for a sister wife? Cause sign my ass up.
Me
Lol
You know, he does have a single brother. But he’s a kink-fest. Sex clubs and stuff—is that your jam?
Lex
If that involves sharing, hell no.
And for the record, I wouldn’t want you to share Walker. I just want to be along for this beautiful ride he’s taking you on.
Me
When are you going to come meet him?
Lex
I’ll be at the opening of Alivia’s. With my work schedule, I don’t think I can come before.
Me
And you’re staying with us, yeah?
Lex
Of course!
Me
Slumber party. I can’t wait!
Lex
Me too, babe. xo
“What is this life?” I asked Walker a few seconds after one of the pilots told us we would soon be starting our descent.
We were sitting on a couch in the center of the plane, fluffy pillows surrounding us, a soft and fuzzy blanket over us, and a pair of provided slippers on my feet. When he didn’t respond, I added, “I mean it, Walker. Is this really the norm for you?”
I’d only flown once before and sat in the last row, my seat vibrating every time the toilet flushed. That experience had been nothing like this.
This was all cream leather and gold accents and glasses filled with crushed ice like a snow cone.
The flight attendant had literally brought Walker a tissue on a tray when he sneezed.
That was just the inside of the plane. The outside was an SUV that had pulled directly up to the jet, a red carpet from the vehicle to the stairs, and the entire flight crew standing next to the railings to greet us when we arrived.
“What this is, is your life now.” He was holding back a smile. The same smile he’d been attempting to hide when I climbed the stairs and first entered the jet, openly voicing how bananas it was. “And, yes, this is my norm.”
“Do you take the jet everywhere out of state?” I bent my knee and tucked my leg in front of me, and his hand immediately went to my thigh. “I’m assuming we’re headed out of state …”
We’d been on the plane for a few hours. I had no idea where we were going. The flight attendant wouldn’t discuss it when I questioned her on my way to the restroom, and neither pilot had mentioned the location.
“I even take it within the state. It just depends how long the drive is. Anything over three hours, I’m flying.”
My head was shaking, and I couldn’t stop it. “Wow.”
“When it comes to business deals, I don’t usually take this because I’m flown there by whoever is requesting the meetup.
Say, a book tour, or an appearance, or I’m flying to Boston to cook for the Worthington family—the owners of every professional sports team in Massachusetts.
But any other scenario, we’re in this.” He was holding the back of my neck.
“And I say we because you will be with me.” He kissed my cheek.
“And every time I successfully pull you away from Alivia’s, this will be our mode of transportation. ”
“How will I ever leave?” That, along with a million other things, constantly went through my mind. “We don’t have a backup chef.”
“You’ll have one. Don’t worry.” His hand rose to my cheek. “Once things get up and running, you’ll need one. What happens if you get sick? What happens if we want to go on vacation? What happens if you’re pregnant?”
Even though I was looking at him, that word made me really look at him.
And for a second, I questioned whether I had even heard him correctly.
“Pregnant …” My voice was quiet but filled with emotion.
His eyes lowered down my body, and so did his hand, rubbing my stomach. “You want that someday, yeah?”
Walker and his family were everything. I was beyond lucky to have them in my life. But I also craved having a family of my own. One that we created together. A family that would never look anything like the one I came from.
“That’s a big yeah,” I whispered. “I want more than one child. I want … like, five.”
He let out a giant laugh. “Five?”
“Okay, maybe four.” I smiled. “But no less than four.”
“Do you know how many children that is? It’s a shit ton. I can say that because I come from a family of five, and I assure you, it’s a lot of fucking kids.”
“Large, yes. But perfect too.”
“Baby …” His lips moved toward mine, and he pressed down on my stomach. “I say at least three. We can negotiate over the fourth.”
“I can agree to that.”
The flight attendant picked up the empty glasses on the table next to us and said, “We’re going to be landing in only a few minutes. Is there anything else I can get you?”
“We’re good. Thank you,” Walker said.