“Can I talk to you?” He holds his office door open.
I follow him and stand in front of his desk, my arms crossed, waiting for his instructions.
“Sit down, Todd. I know we’ve had our differences, but I need you to help me out while I’m on this trip.”
This piques my interest because I’ll continue to use him to escalate my career. He would do the same if the roles were reversed.
“I’m handing CHOPs over to you for the next month. It’s yours. You decide what the specials are. You make the decisions on all the food. Shawn will still do bar and seating. We’ll talk every week and go over orders. I’ll stay out of your way.”
“That’s awfully nice of you.”
Davis has another trick up his sleeve. His determined eyes are a dead giveaway.
“What do you want?” I ask.
“When I return, George Hunt is opening a new restaurant. He’s been looking for a new chef to run it.”
Here’s the piece of meat he’ll dangle in front of my face. I’ve been in this exact chair twice since I started. I might have fallen for it the first time, like the lion he thinks I am, but not this time.
“Okay. For what price?”
“It can be yours. He trusts my recommendations because they’ve never failed him.”
There it is. Let’s hear this one. I know exactly who it has to do with.
“But?”
“You back away from Lia.”
Bingo, baby.
“We’re friends.” Sort of.
He doesn’t need to know that I’ve been waiting patiently for her to realize the dick that he is.
“Bullshit. You and I both know there’s more there.” Davis stands, rounds his elaborate desk and sits on the edge of his desk.
Is he trying to intimidate me?
“I won’t lie. There have been times when it’s crossed my mind.” I rise to my feet, so he can see I’m actually a few inches taller.
“If you want the head chef position and part equity in Hunt’s restaurant, you’ll find a way to distance yourself from her.” He crosses his arms.
I fight the urge to laugh in his face.
Even if I were out of Noodle’s life, how could he not feel like second choice?
“That easy, huh?”
“Yes. That easy.” He holds his hand out in front of me, like a handshake is worth something to him.
Davis is the kind of guy you need to nail down with a signature.
“For one month, I run the restaurant and distance myself from Lia, and then the position is mine,” I clarify, just in case the snake tries to change things around.
“Yes.”
Davis’s hand rests in front of me. I look down at it hanging in the air and back to him.
“Got it.” I shake his hand.
“Great. I’m glad we could agree, Todd. I’m going to be late for my flight. Talk to you at the end of the week.”
He grabs his bag and leaves out the door without me saying anything back. Once he’s gone, I lean back in his chair and place my feet on his desk.
I have one month to steal his girl—strike that, to claim my girl.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Amelia
I run into the cycling class and find Todd in a heated discussion with another guy over a bike.
I patiently wait behind the guy, biting my lip. Todd’s annoyed eyes bore into mine, and I scrunch my shoulders. My innocent act has worn thin with him, I’m sure, but in my defense, the bus was late.
“I’m sorry.” I tap the guy on the shoulder.
His eyes give me a once-over before a huff escapes his throat.
“He was saving it for me. The bus was running late,” I say.
“Whatever.” He breezes past me with a knock into my shoulder.
“Hey, jackass!” Todd screams, moving to climb off his bike.
“Stop it. It’s fine.” I shake my head.
But Todd’s eyes follow the guy until he leaves the room. “I’d kick his ass for you.” The aggravation washes away from his face.
“I know, but I don’t want to visit the police station today.”
Todd locks his foot back into the pedal, and then his legs go way faster than I plan on doing at any point today. Out of the corner of my eyes, I watch his leg muscles constrict the faster he goes. I place my water bottle into the slot and drape my towel over the handlebars.
For some reason, my focus keeps wavering toward Todd and his body. Tatiana’s words from last night come to mind, and warmness puddles in the pit of my stomach.
Could he want more?
“Are you going to prepare to actually climb on the bike and work out?” he asks me.
My eyes snap up to his face. His head is cocked in my direction, and his lips curl at the ends. My heartbeat picks up with just the thought of us being wrapped together as one after a long marathon of sex.
“Yep.” I hurriedly climb onto the bike and lock my feet in. At least I still had the cycling shoes I bought the last time I was on my workout binge.
My legs burn from the small amount of circles, and I fear I might have bitten off more than I can chew with this class. Maybe I should have started with some aqua aerobics first.
Todd sits up, and his feet continue to move like he’s on a leisurely bike ride through a park. “So, I had a meeting this morning.”
“You did?”
“With Davis. How are you holding up?” His edged jaw clenches, and he concentrates on something in front of him.
“I’m fine. It’s a month.” I toss off the question, so he doesn’t think he can’t be honest with me later.
Shit, I’m a horrible person. The guy I’ve been dating left this morning, and now, I’m already looking at Todd differently. I blame Tatiana. If she hadn’t stuck these false thoughts in my head last night, then I wouldn’t be thinking these things.
“At least we can hang out more.” He winks.
“I can’t wait.”
I watch the instructor enter the room, and I prepare myself for the strenuous workout I’m in for. She’s cute and petite and everything I’ve compared myself to all these years.
“Lunch before work?” Todd asks.
I nod, thankful the gallery is closed on Mondays. I only have to work at CHOPs tonight.
“Definitely.”
The room quiets as the instructor presses Play on the stereo. She places her headset over her head, and I mentally prepare myself to finish out the class. I will not quit until it’s time to cool down.
The small blonde hops on her bike, and her legs fly as fast as Todd’s.
Isn’t this a warm-up?
“Let’s go people!” she yells.
The room explodes into cheers.
Todd glances over to me, and I narrow my eyes. I know what he’s thinking. I’m going to collapse on this bike in an hour. It’s been at least six months since I’ve worked out with him, but now, with Davis gone, something inside of me has spurred me on to shed a few of these extra pounds.
Midway through the class, my chest heaves, and I try to disguise my breathing to an even pace. Todd’s eyes have shifted my way too often, and I’m actually embarrassed at how out of shape I am. The one good part is my towel isn’t the only thing that is drenched. Todd has sweated out a full bucket, and it’s all soaked into the towels on the floor.
The instructor tells us to turn down our tension, and my ass sits down, happy we’re at the cool-down stage. I’m damn proud that I made it through the entire workout without moving the tension too far down from where I was six months ago.
“You made it. Way to go.” Todd’s hand rests on my shoulder.
“Thank you. It was close for a second.”
“Nah. You had it the whole time.” He faces forward.
I smile at his profile. He constantly believes in me.
* * *
The air is lighter the minute I walk into CHOPs. Shawn casually shuffles between the tables, situating the candle centerpieces and silverw
are.
“Hey, Lia,” he calls out, raising his hand in greeting.
“Hi, Shawn. I’ll be ready for the meeting in a second.” Once again, I’ve cut the time close to the start of our team meeting.
“No rush. I’ll be in the back room in five.”
He never even looks up to me, so I continue my way down the hallway.
It’s odd to find Davis’s light off and no sign of him being here. A sadness because I haven’t heard from him today weighs in my heart, but I know he’s busy.
The employee room bustles with laughter. Todd chats with another sous chef, but he nods to me. I wave over to him and make my way to my locker. Lucy is already dressed and sitting on the bench.
“Hey, lady.” I smile.
“I’m so excited. Did you hear? The boss is gone for a month.”
“Yeah, I heard.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I guess it’s not great news for you.” She places a consoling hand on my shoulder.
Shocked, I take a step backward. “Why?” My eyes bulge out of my head.
“Lia.” She sighs.
My body tenses. “Does everyone know?” The heat of embarrassment rushes up my face.
She tilts her head to the side and gives me sorrow-filled eyes. “Most.”
“Shit. I thought we were discreet,” I whisper, opening up my locker.
“Heather saw you guys at Coney Island. Who cares? He’s hot and a great guy.”
My eyes automatically divert to Heather, and oddly enough, hers are on me. She raises her shoulders with a conniving look splashed across her face.
“Bitch,” I murmur. She could have come to me before spreading the gossip.
“Granted, everyone thought she was jealous at first. I mean, she’s had something for Davis from the moment she started. Some thought maybe he did for her, too. Then, you came, and he’s been focused entirely on you.” Lucy checks her cell phone one more time before tucking it in her locker.
“How come I never knew this?” I ask a question I know the answer to. I’m the one in the juicy gossip circle, so I let that one go and ask a more pertinent one. “Were they a couple?”
Lucy’s eyes cast down, and she shrugs. “I don’t know.”
“But?”
“I think so.” Again, those damn sorrow-filled eyes are pointed at me. I hate it when people pity me.
My vision moves to Todd across the room, and he meets my gaze. His smile turns down when he sees how upset I am, and concern crosses his face.
“I’m sorry, Lia.” She’s quiet, so no one else hears us.
I don’t even know why I’m upset. How did I think he’d tell me the truth that I was the first employee he’s ever crossed the line with? That’s an absurd thought in itself. I’ve had previous relationships, and he has, too, but I need this bad feeling in my gut to disintegrate before my mind flies out of control with assumptions.
My phone dings in my locker, and I pull it out. I smile, seeing Davis’s name, and the bad feeling lightens in my stomach.
Davis: Hey, babe. Thinking of you.
My fingers quickly move across the screen because I’m sure Shawn is going to come in soon.
Me: Hey! Missing you.
I place my phone in my locker and change into my shirt and apron. My body buzzes with anticipation of his next text, but as the minutes tick by, there’s no response.
Shawn enters the room and requests everyone’s presence in the kitchen. Although Shawn’s pet peeve is cell phones on the floor of the restaurant, I sneak mine into my pocket, not wanting to miss Davis’s text.
We all reach the kitchen, and Todd takes his position at the prepping station. My lips widen, seeing him in charge while Davis is away. He catches my eye, and we share a smile. I watch him wipe his hands down his pants, and I can already tell he’s nervous from his hands fidgeting with the ingredients.
“As you all know, Davis is gone for at least a month. Honestly, I figure he’ll be gone longer.”
My coworkers peer over to me. I act like I couldn’t care less, even though my insides are churning with the longer part Shawn threw in there.
The room remains quiet, so Shawn continues, “Todd is taking over as head chef in Davis’s absence.”
Everyone claps, and again, Todd’s eyes find mine.
I mouth, Congratulations.
He bows his head in appreciation. I’m soaring because he deserves this opportunity, and I’m truly happy for him.
Todd begins his preparation of tonight’s special and explains the ingredients while Shawn passes out the special menus to the wait staff. I feel like a beaming girlfriend from the permanent smile splashed across my face.
Curt, another sous chef, hands out samples of the prepared tilapia for everyone to try.
I rush over to Todd, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. “Congratulations,” I whisper, gripping him tight.
“Thank you.” He squeezes his arms around my waist.
“I’m so proud of you.” I let go of him.
He kisses the top of my head. “Thanks, Mom,” he jokes.
I slap him.
“Now, get to work before I fire you.” He shakes his head.
I rise to my tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “You deserve this.”
A pink flush fills his cheeks, and he swats my ass. “Go!”
“I’m going.” I touch my ass, as though his slap hurt. “Celebration drinks tonight,” I call out as I leave through the swinging doors.
I startle, finding Heather waiting for me.
“Don’t you think one chef is enough? I mean, leave some for the rest of us,” she sneers.
“Heather, I didn’t know you liked Davis—” I begin to make amends.
But she raises her hand. “Don’t play innocent, Amelia. You knew exactly what you were doing.” She spins around to walk away.
“Hea—”
She flips around, and I rear back from her closeness.
“And I’m not sure what you’ve heard, but that liking thing was on both sides between us”—she looks me up and down—“until you showed up. I’m not sure why he would want that”—her finger points up and down my body—“when he could have this.”
My fist clenches next to me, and I wish I had the nerve to punch her. “Well, I guess he started to have better taste.”
I raise my eyebrows at her, and she narrows hers.
“Whatever, Lia. Go eat a pie.”
She stalks off, and I laugh obnoxiously loud just to piss her off more.
Sneaking behind the bar, I pull my phone out and find nothing from Davis yet. There’s no doubt in my mind that he had an affair with Heather. Who knows how long it lasted? It could have been a one-night mistake for all I know.
The kitchen is actually buzzing with activity all night. Customers are raving about the tilapia dish Todd prepared for tonight’s special. I’m not surprised when Todd makes an appearance in the dining room.
Edith, an elderly woman who comes with her daughter every week, stands up and gives him a big hug. “Delicious,” she compliments.
She kisses his cheek and signals for him to sit down, and he does. The two women gush over him for fifteen minutes or so, and Todd’s beaming. Edith’s daughter digs into her purse and hands Todd a business card.
Intrigued, I’m leaning over the bar top as he passes me by to head into the kitchen.
“Looking for a cougar?” I joke.
He shoves the card in his pocket. He looks from side to side and leans in. “She wants to invest.”
“In what?”
She must be looking for a little tiger to take care of.
“Me. They want to give me a restaurant.”
“Oh, my God! Todd, this is huge.”
He pushes his hands down in the air, signaling for me to keep quiet.
“We’ll talk tonight.” He disappears through the kitchen.
My eyes shift to the two women who are intently staring at me. I lift my lips for a small smile, and they do the same.
> Half an hour later, the restaurant is almost cleared out, but the two women are still seated, drinking coffee.
Shawn comes up to me. “Feel free to get going, Amelia.”
“Thanks.” I hand him the bag of money and receipts from my drawer. “Have a great night.”
“You, too.” He leans over the bar. “He’ll be back soon.”
What the fuck?
I give an uncomfortable smile and nod.
On my way down the hall, Heather emerges from the restroom. “Don’t worry. I’m sure Davis isn’t screwing any models while in LA,” she says to my back.
I roll my eyes and continue my path to the break room, ignoring her.
Scrambling, I change my clothes just to get away from Heather. Thankfully, Todd enters a minute later, and I sit down by him until we can leave.
“So, where do you want to celebrate?” I ask him.
“Edith and her daughter want to take me out.”
“Oh. Okay.” I’m a little disappointed, but this is a great opportunity for him.
“They want you to join us.”
I furrow my brows in confusion. “Why?”
He laughs. “They saw you were so happy, and when I came back, they asked about you. I explained you were my good friend, and they asked if you’d join us.” He sits down and places his hand on my knee. “You’ll come, right?”
It’s not exactly what I envisioned for tonight, but it’s important to Todd. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
“Great.”
I sit there quietly, watching him change, absorbing the fact that he’s finally going to get what he wants, a restaurant of his own.
Todd leads the way out of CHOPs with the spectators’—aka co-workers—eyes following our every move. When Todd opens the door for me, the rush of cold air hits my face, and my eyes water. Fall nights have always been my favorite, and I can’t lie; I was disappointed that Davis wasn’t going to be here during my favorite time of the year. I had imagined us holding hands through the city streets and warming up by a fire at night.
Seeing You Page 15
