by Ciara Cole
“Fine,” Sean said and pulled her into a quick kiss before reaching for the door that was already open to help her out. Rachael hadn’t expected the dismissal to be so quick, and made a cute face at him in annoyance. He could have at least tried harder to change her mind.
Still, in a perverse way Rachael savored the feeling of having to wait. Her heart pounded at the thought of how explosive it would be when they finally got to share some “freaky time” together after so long.
Before she left to go up, she gave Sean a parting smile and almost caught her breath at the look in his eyes as he watched her. He may have seemed aloof with having to call off their “hot night,” but those blue orbs held a gaze filled with such emotional eloquence. Like he was wearing his heart on display.
It brought to mind how he’d all but proclaimed their relationship to the world earlier to the reporters. She hadn’t even expected it, and the normal, sedate Rachael would even have been mortified by the public declaration.
Yet somehow, it worked for her, and she’d felt so special. From that moment, it felt like a new beginning for them and that all their moments together weren’t just child’s play to him.
Where Rachael had thought the night was just her coming out to see Sean doing his thing—and that would have been fine—Sean had made it about them. Suddenly, she had no more worries about their future together. Their happy ending would happen sooner or later—or so she thought…
***
Rachael would have thought that weekends would be the busiest days for restaurants. But not so at Sean’s. And it was mostly thanks to the numerous corporate customers who dined there on weekdays for business. She loved visiting Sean at the restaurant, sometimes with Leila, and was always amazed at the way he managed such high volumes of clients during those hectic periods, which lasted a few hours.
The kitchen staffed six cooks, with sous chefs on different food stations from the grill to make pizza and sauté. And sometimes, Sean was glad to let Rachael help in any way she could. Thanks to Moira being so kind to show Rachael the ropes, she was able to not be a hindrance whenever she came around and actually made herself useful around the office and even in the dining section.
In time, Rachael figured she just might get the hang of things and have a more supportive role in Sean’s restaurant. Moira, for one, thought it was a good idea, especially if Rachael was in it for the long haul with Sean.
“So, has he popped the question yet?” Moira asked as Rachael sat beside her in the office trying to finish off with the grocery orders and lists for the next day.
Rachael blushed at the question. Ever since a month ago with Sean kissing Rachael on camera, there’d been a lot of buzz from the media and his fans. Sean made no bones about the fact that he and Rachael were dating and even had a child together.
When he had first shared the picture of him and Leila on Twitter, things had gone a little crazy. Rachael had taken a picture of father and daughter sleeping side by side with Leila’s head on Sean’s chest. Rachael had never even known Sean had seen the photo on her phone, and was shocked when she got a call from her mom telling her about Sean posting on social media about them.
“Leila fell asleep in Daddy’s arms last night.” Rachael read the caption on Sean’s Twitter and how it was blowing up with likes and questions about Leila. Sean didn’t respond to any of them, perhaps since he’d made it pretty obvious she was his daughter, as Sean wouldn’t let any other kid sleep next to him, would he?
“You aren’t mad, are you?” Sean asked lightly when he saw her gaping at the post. “I should have asked your permission to use the snap, but I didn’t really think much of it.”
“It’s no big deal,” she said as calmly as she could. Well, it was a big deal, in the sense that he was publicly acknowledging Leila too.
Rachael had always been half-afraid there’d be nasty backlash if the outside world found out the truth. Celebrated billionaire chef had love child with former flame. But so far, there were only positive vibes, and it possibly had to do with the care Sean had taken with his PR image in the past few months. He’d long stopped reveling in his playboy womanizing lifestyle and now was being seen as more of a family figure.
But how much of a reality could that turn out to be? Moira’s unexpected question about Sean “popping the question” had Rachael wondering if she could even dare to hope that far.
“Sorry if it seems like I’m prying,” Moira said when Rachael took too long to reply.
“No! You’re not, at all. I mean, you’re like family to Sean, right? Of course you’d be wondering how serious we’re getting,” Rachael said hastily. “And Sean hasn’t officially popped the question yet. Why do you ask? Did something come up in any of those tabloids?”
“Oh, nothing like that. I was just curious, that’s all.” Moira gave a warm smile. “Sean has come a really long way from his life as a carefree bachelor, and I’d love to see him settle down. Watching him with you, and Leila...makes me feel all the more ecstatic as well as hopeful that I’ll find something close to that too.”
Rachael’s smile was full of understanding. “I couldn’t help but notice you seemed on such good terms with Ivan—the young sous chef? How did that go?”
“Not very well. I mean, it was great for a few weeks. But yeah, we just had a ‘thing,’ and then we didn’t. Besides, he’ll be heading back to Croatia in a few weeks. Said he came to America for a few months for the ‘experience.’ I told him I was glad I could in some way give him help with that. I mean, he was basically just a pole to sit on and a face to ride for me.” Moira shrugged with nonchalance.
Rachael chuckled at Moira’s drily delivered, if not somewhat lewd, humor—but her laughter subsided as she took in Moira’s somewhat wan complexion. Was it anything to do with the recent break with Ivan or maybe work stress? Rachael made a mental note to ask Sean to maybe reduce Moira’s workload or at least get her to not push herself so hard.
At the close of night, Sean, Rachael and Moira were the last to leave the locked up restaurant building.
As they said their goodnights and Moira began to head to her car opposite, Rachael couldn’t help but notice how Moira’s footsteps seemed to trudge weakly on her high heels. Rachael paused in front of the car door Sean held open for her. His eyes followed her concerned gaze to watch as Moira stumbled slightly on reaching her car, her hand clutching the hood as she leaned on it for balance.
Sean sent Rachael a glance to meet her worried gaze, and then he walked across to Moira. Gripping her elbow gently he turned her to face him. “Moira?”
“Sean,” Moira said bleakly, her face paler than usual.
“Are you okay?” Sean frowned, wondering why he hadn’t made much note of how unlike herself she’d seemed tonight.
“I’m fine,” she said with a shaky nod.
Sean gently released her arm. “I don’t think you should drive right now.”
“I can handle it,” she told him, but made a slight grimace that Sean couldn’t miss.
“No, I’ll drive. Get in.”
As Moira obediently moved round to the other side of the car, Sean paused and looked across at Rachael, who gave an approving nod. He seemed almost divided about actually going, but Rachael sent a firm wave.
“Go on. I’ll just take the car and you can come get it at my place,” she told him. It wasn’t the first time she’d be driving his Aston Martin. She didn’t want Sean worrying about her when the obviously unwell Moira needed his help.
She watched them both enter and strap in before driving off, and then she too got into the ride and left. She just hoped Moira would be fine, knowing how much Moira loved her job at the restaurant and wouldn’t want something like getting down with a bug or stress to hold her down.
Rachael headed home, looking forward to Sean returning to her place once he was done dropping Moira off. Maybe tonight would be the one where they’d finally have their long-overdue “personal time.” Especially since for the first time in weeks, Rachael h
ad the now fully recovered Leila spend the night away at a friend’s house.
Rachael felt a shiver of excitement and already started picking out what sexy lingerie she should be waiting for Sean in…
Chapter Thirteen
Sean sent Moira a glance as he drove. Was she feeling poorly or just tired? She didn’t look good either way.
“Maybe you should go to the hospital?” he ventured.
She shook her head. “Maybe I’ll just rest back while you drive. I don’t feel much like conversation.”
Sean nodded, not trying to argue with her. Come to think of it, Sean realized he hadn’t been trying much of anything with Moira of late.
Things had become somewhat distant between them, and he felt bad now about not doing anything to ease that. However, with the way he’d become so into building his relationship with Rachael and his daughter, he had the sense to know to keep things totally on the level with Moira. After all, she was a female, and there was that slight awareness that she might—just might—still hold a torch for him.
He saw it in her eyes even though she tried to hide it most times. And watching her “affair” with Ivan go downhill had seemed like Moira hadn’t really made that much of an effort.
Sean wouldn’t count it out just yet that she hadn’t moved on, but a part of him wondered if they needed a clean break, if they should still work together or not. Sean didn’t think it was him just being cocky or having the wrong impression. He really cared about Moira, and they’d always be friends, but he wanted her to be happy. If he entertained the thought she could still be happy working with him, he was all for it.
In the meantime, Sean was thinking how best to up things to the next level with Rachael. The perfect time, the perfect mood—he wanted to make the setting extra special when he finally asked her to…
He skidded back to the present as finally, he stopped the car in front of Moira’s place. He walked her up to the front of her house, just to make sure she really was okay. Then he came to a stop just short of her stone steps. “I’ll get going now,” he said into the silence. “Bye.”
Moira stopped in her stride and turned to face him. He viewed her face and saw she looked more drawn than ever.
“You’re sure you shouldn’t go to the hospital?” he asked.
This time, she tried a little smile. “It’s okay. Some fever medicine will probably make me better, as well as sleep. I’ll just sweat it out. You know me, I’m tough.”
Was she really? Sean wanted to believe that. He thought of everything they’d overcome together, all the way from Dublin to right now. He truly wished her the best of everything, and he hoped one day she’d believe that. Giving one last parting nod, he turned to leave.
Suddenly, soft fingers grabbed his sleeve from behind.
Sean stiffened, feeling the air around them suddenly crackle with a different pressure. He heard Moira say softly, “You should come in.”
He gently tugged his arm away from her gripping fingers. Drawing in a short breath, he spun around again. Sean met her gaze with cool eyes, and she added hastily, “Just come in for a cup of tea, okay?”
“Let’s not do this,” Sean said, his level gaze holding hers until she lowered her eyes.
Moments passed as she seemed to try and gather her thoughts into words. “I could never help getting too attached to you,” she finally began with a semblance of a sad smile. “Even though I knew you didn’t see me the same way. I always wanted more and more. All I did was want.”
Sean made to speak, but Moira hurried on. “I know you love someone else. And that you probably want to make yourself a family. Even if you and I ever have to go separate ways in the future, I’ll never resent you or blame you. I was the one who hurt me, all by myself. I’ve figured it all out now.”
She smiled. “So don’t feel bad for me. It just means I have to find a new beginning. Even if…sometimes just beginning can be frightening.”
Sean saw it, the fear in her eyes, and he realized that’s what she’d had lurking in the shadows of her face all these weeks, but he hadn’t been able to put a finger on it. Just imagining Moira scared, of anything, was almost alien to her, and it made him feel even worse than she might think. Who could blame her if she felt worried or terrified of having to start again, as it were?
Expelling a breath, Sean decided that maybe one cup of tea wouldn’t be bad, to cheer up her up. It might be the last time they’d get to sit and have a one-on-one as old friends. That couldn’t be too much to achieve, could it?
***
Rachael tossed and turned in her bed, trapped in the land of dreams. A loud knock on her door startled her awake, and she tumbled out of bed, landing on the floor with a thump.
She stood up groggily to see who had disturbed her sleep, expecting her daughter Leila was back with Susan, and instead, got more startled to open her door and see Sean.
“Sean!” she exclaimed, and suddenly she remembered everything.
Last night, waiting endlessly for him to show up. She’d been dressed in her lacy pink lingerie, but the time ticked by with no Sean, and she’d even contemplated calling. But she didn’t want to seem weird—what if Sean had had to take Moira to the hospital or something?
In the end, she’d fallen into bed and decided to doze off for a few minutes then call him. And now, it was morning already.
Rachael opened her mouth to ask him what happened, only to be pulled into a tight hug. She almost felt crushed in those big arms as she felt his lips embed in her hair, muffling his next words. “Rachael, I have a big question I need to ask.”
A ring of alarm reverbed through her, and Rachael pushed away to be able to look up at Sean. “Is everything okay? What do you…”
“Will you marry me?”
***
“Oh…my God.” Rachael just gaped at Sean.
“I know it’s only been a few months since we found each other again. But that doesn’t matter,” he said feelingly. “Every moment I’ve ever spent with you, from the very beginning that we even met, has been the best part of my life, and I know I truly love you.”
“Sean.”
“Rachael,” he went on, his hands cupping her face. “Will you…” He kissed her forehead. “Make me…” He kissed the tip of her nose. “The happiest man…” He paused this time to plant a kiss on her gaping mouth. “Alive?”
Rachael was already nodding like crazy, even before he added, “Marry me.”
“Yes!” she finally got out, almost on a choke as tears stung her eyes. “Yes, yes, yes, a million times yes!”
Sean reached his hand into his pocket, pulling out a small black box. He unearthed the ring and gently slid it onto Rachael’s brown-skinned hand. It was the most freaking immense and beautiful diamond she’d ever seen. Holy fuck!
Rachael joyously fell into Sean’s arms and her legs wrapped around his waist, their lips merging into a burst of linking atoms glimmering with passion and promise.
They moved to the bed, and their soon naked bodies connected in a perfect way, one that convinced Rachael that they were made for each other. Not that she’d ever had a doubt.
After their stormy morning sex fest, they fell on each other, reveling in their shared warmth. Rachael didn’t know how long they stayed there for, minutes or hours even. All that mattered was that they were together. And she fervently wished they always would be.
***
Hard as she tried, Rachael couldn’t seem to set her feet back on the ground or stop the smile from breaking out on her face every minute of the day, even after more than a week since Sean had proposed.
She knew it might not be considered a fabulous proposal by most of her friends, but she would remember it for all eternity since for her, nothing could have been better.
Somehow, though, Rachael felt a bit guilty to be in such high spirits at the same time that Moira was preparing to leave the restaurant. She’d made the announcement days ago, saying she would have a week or two to get things organiz
ed so she could make things easier for her replacement.
Rachael was genuinely sad that Moira had decided to go. Moira hadn’t given much of a reason, just something about trying new things and maybe taking a trip and sampling new cuisines around a few countries.
After the restaurant closed, the staff headed out to celebrate Moira’s farewell party. They invited Sean along, but he waved them off, joking that as the boss he’d only cramp their fun. He did offer to make it his treat and handed them his credit card, which Rachael thought was so cool of him. To her surprise, the staff dragged Rachael along with them, not taking no for an answer in her case.
It was so touching for them to include her. She sensed Sean wasn’t really keen on the idea, but Moira and the others were too cheery and insistent about it.
Rachael was in for more of a surprise as Moira, who was normally so buttoned up and strict with the staff, was a whole different person when the time came to party. She knew the coolest beer tricks and bomb shots, and she even got Rachael to try soju for the first time.
It tasted like a sweeter, less alcoholic version of vodka, and was great for the “domino shot” trick that Moira showed them. She placed a series of shot glasses of soju on top of glasses of beer and then knocked down the first shot glass, causing the series of shot glasses to fall into the glasses of beer like dominoes.
Everyone cheered and clapped at their table in the bar, which was some hole in the wall place the staff came to often.
“You’re a cute drunk,” Moira said to Rachael, who giggled particularly loudly at two of the staff who were serenading each other at the bar’s karaoke station.
“And you sure know your alcohol! I don’t think I’ve ever been this tipsy,” Rachael said with a slight hiccup. But then, everyone had been passing round drinks all night, so it was official that they all were intoxicated or halfway there.
Throwing her arm around Moira’s shoulder, Rachael leaned in slightly to say with a pout, “I’m really going to miss you. Do you really have to go? What if you miss the wedding?”
Moira seemed to make a tiny grimace, which she quickly schooled before Rachael could really notice. “You guys have set a date then?”
