Kitchen Promises (Riverside Trilogy, #3) (The Riverside Trilogy)

by Brooke Cumberland

  “Great, I think I’ve got it all. I’ll give this to my assistant and see when she can squeeze it in.” I smiled, setting the pen down. We both stood up and shook hands. “I’ll be in touch.”

  “Thanks, Drake. Appreciate it.” He nodded back at me and turned to leave. I ripped the sheet off the pad and called for my assistant.

  * * *

  “How are you going to pull that off in only a few weeks?” Molly asked, rinsing potatoes in the sink. I had just finished telling her about my meeting with Stanley. She hadn’t said too much about him since she confessed the truth about him, but I guess there really wasn’t much for her to say about him. She didn’t know him. She didn’t want to get to know him, and whenever he was with Violet dropping Liam off, she would be sweet, but guarded. I always felt it was her way of keeping her distance, not wanting to get too close.

  “It’s small, nothing too big. Plus, I think Stanley wants to enjoy the evening rather than always feeling like he’s at work.”

  “That’s nice of you,” she said in a surprised tone.

  “Aren’t I always?” I answered with an amused grin. I stood behind her, nuzzling my face in the nape of her neck.

  “Well, it’s better than Violet showing up at your office…again.” She tensed. I blew air over her ear and nipped it with my mouth. Her body relaxed and shivered underneath me, making me grin at how easily her body reacts to me.

  “Stop it. I’m trying to make dinner.” She giggled, pushing her neck down.

  “Yes, please stop it. I don’t want to throw up before I even get a chance to eat,” Michael interrupted, making a gagging sound.

  “Oh, like you’re any better?” Molly fired back. “I swear, I walk in on you and Trey one more time—”

  “Hey,” he interrupted, putting his hands up in surrender. “No one told you to walk in. Ever hear of knocking?”

  “Ever hear of shut the hell up?” She made a face at him and swatted him with the wood spoon in her hand.

  “Alright, you two. Play nice,” I interjected. I backed away to let them bicker it out. Michael’s boyfriend, Trey, had been coming over a lot more recently. Michael finally decided to settle down and date. Molly liked him, but lately she was a little edgy about it. Personally, I think it was because she was jealous of all the time Michael spent with him instead of her. And add that to the pregnancy hormones, you had one emotional recipe for disaster.

  On top of planning Stanley’s event, I wanted to surprise Molly with an engagement party soon. She hadn’t mentioned a lot about the wedding with focusing on the babies and work, so I thought I’d do all the organizing of getting a party together. We’ve been engaged five months now, so I figured we needed to do it soon.

  Christmas was coming up, so I thought a holiday engagement party would be the route to go. I had a party planner already on top of it. I didn’t want Molly to stress about it—and I knew she would—so I didn’t plan to tell her until the night of. Risky, yes. But in my experience, it was better to ask for forgiveness than to get permission. So a party was in the works.

  I set the table and called for Stella to come down. Michael and Molly were still teasing each other in the kitchen, so I sat at the table with Stella.

  “So how was your day, sweetie?” I asked, pouring her a cup of milk. She shrugged, not looking up from the table. “What’s wrong?”

  “First grade is hard,” she pouted.

  “I’m sorry, sweetie. Anything I can help with?”

  “Can I bring gum to school?” She looked up bright-eyed.

  “Gum? I don’t think you’re supposed to have gum in school, are you?”

  “It’s not for chewing,” she informed.

  Confused, I asked, “Okay…what’s it for?”

  “It’s a secret.”

  “You can trust me, I promise.” I crossed my arms on the table, leaned my head on top, and gave a wink.

  “I want to give it to someone.” She smiled, almost blushing.

  “Who?” I asked curiously, leaning back up to take a drink of my water.

  “My boyfriend,” she answered bluntly. Shocked, water spat out of my mouth and nose. She laughed as I covered my face.

  “Your what?” Molly interjected, dropping a pan in the middle of the table. “Did you just say boyfriend?” She placed a hand on her hip, raising her eyebrows.

  “And the fun begins,” Michael muttered, taking a seat across from me. He chuckled as he saw Molly’s scowl.

  “You, young lady,” Molly said, pointing a finger at Stella, “are not allowed to date nor have boyfriends until you’re thirty, you hear me?”

  Stella giggled.

  “Thirty? Girl, please,” Michael snorted. He reached across the table and grabbed a scoop of casserole.

  “She’s gonna need a tracking device.” I chuckled.

  “You better get a chastity belt on her,” Michael continued.

  “Oh my god! Stop it, you two!” Molly snapped back. “I mean it. There will be no talk of boyfriends!”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. It was innocent teasing, but I could tell it was really starting to bother her. On top of already being emotional, she was having a hard time letting go. Stella was her first baby and had been the center of her attention for five years, and now here Stella was already acting grown up.

  “Okay, no more teasing,” I promised. I put my hand over my heart and crossed it so she knew I meant it.

  “So…” Michael began. I could tell he was trying to come up with a better topic. “Have you guys given any thought on the wedding? I mean, are you going to set a date sometime soon? I’d really like to get planning.” He stabbed a piece of chicken with his fork and popped it in his mouth.

  “You’re planning it, huh?” I asked amused.

  “Well, you want it to kick ass, right?” Michael raised an eyebrow, grinning.

  “I’m not really sure, Michael,” Molly interrupted. “With the babies, it just makes more sense to wait, don’t you think?” She turned to look at me. I hadn’t really wanted to wait that long, but I could definitely see her point.

  “Whatever you want, baby. We could wait until after the babies are here.”

  She smiled and took a sip of her water. “I mean, unless you just want to elope,” she teased. Honestly, I could care less what route we took. Of course, I wanted it to be special for us, but I just wanted to make her mine. I wanted to call her my wife. I wanted to stamp my initials in her to keep any wandering eyes off her.

  “Hey, Elvis could marry us Vegas-style, for all I care.” I smiled back at her. I grabbed her hand in mine and brought it to my lips.

  “Oh gross,” Michael groaned, ruining our moment. “I will not allow you two to get married by Elvis. Absolutely not. Hell will freeze over before that happens.”

  “And why is that, Michael?” Molly snapped. “If I want Elvis to marry me, I will.”

  “Unless Elvis himself resurrects from his grave, I can’t let you do it.” I watched as Molly rolled her eyes and stabbed another piece of chicken.

  “Hell!” Stella screamed, jerking all of our attention toward her.

  “Excuse you, young lady?” Molly narrowed her eyes.

  “Michael said it first.” Her body lowers in the chair.

  Molly slowly turned her attention toward Michael. “Nice going.”

  Michael busted out laughing as Molly cringed. “I teach her all my best qualities, remember? She’ll have a great sense of fashion, and a foul mouth. Get used to it, babe.”

  “You are no help,” she growled.

  The rest of our evening was spent listening to Michael test Molly’s limits. Apparently, Michael had a death wish. I just sat there, shaking my head as Michael dug his own grave. But I knew they had a relationship I would never understand. Whatever works for them…

  -----<>-----

  3

  Molly

  Drake left early for work the following morning, leaving me alone for a few hours before I had to go into work. I enjoyed work
ing the later shift, giving me enough time to get through my nausea and morning sickness. Not only that, it gave me some peace and quiet time.

  “Damn, you swallow a watermelon?” Michael walked into my room, raising an eyebrow as his eyes roamed my belly.

  Apparently, quiet time is over.

  “Two actually.”

  “I don’t envy you, that’s for sure. Just the thought of how those babies are getting out makes my balls hurt.” He made a pained face, which made me laugh.

  “That’s exactly why men could never go through labor. You’re all a bunch of babies.”

  “Oh, is that so? You think women are the only ones that could stand the pain?” he retorted. He sat on the bed next to me, causing the bed to dip.

  I moved closer to him and twisted his nipple. “Ow, oh my god!” he squealed.

  “Case in point.”

  “That’s not fair. That’s sensitive,” he whined, rubbing over his chest.

  “And my vag isn’t? Please, men could never handle it.”

  He rolled his eyes, not willing to argue with my raging hormones.

  “You’re lucky I love you.” He grinned.

  “Or what?”

  “Or I wouldn’t—” He grabbed my hips and started tickling me uncontrollably.

  “Michael, stop!” I squealed.

  “Never! Let’s see how much you can handle! Mwahaha!”

  “You’re an evil man! Stop! I’m gonna pee my pants!” I screamed back, wiggling out of his grasp. “Seriously, I think I leaked!”

  Michael finally stopped, but he couldn’t contain his laughter. I swatted at him as I clenched my thighs together, waddling to the bathroom.

  “Sorry, babes. But…I still have it,” he gloated, brushing his hands together.

  “Don’t be so sure. I’ll retaliate when you least expect it,” I threatened, pointing a finger at him. Michael and I use to get into tickle fights back in high school, and because he was bigger and stronger than I was, he’d pin me down and always win. Then he’d hold me down and make a spit bubble until I cried out, “Michael’s the greatest!” Oh yes, he had it coming to him big time now.

  Michael was like a brother to me. He was my best friend, but he was more than that. He was my gay soul mate—if there was such a thing—but it was true. He was my other half in being the perfect best friend.

  As I walked out of the bathroom, Michael continued, “Maybe if I tickle you enough, your water will break.”

  “That’s gross. Plus, I don’t want it to break for like 4 months yet.” I walked back to the bed and lay down.

  “Okay, fine. We’ll renegotiate in four months,” he teased, grinning.

  “Whatever.” I made a face at him. “Now, go away. You’re interrupting my quiet time.”

  “Fine. I guess you don’t have much of that left.” He leaned over and kissed my forehead.

  As I watched him walk away, his words roamed in my head. He was right—I didn’t have a lot of time. And yet, it felt like it was taking forever.

  I decided I would just lay in bed, enjoying every solid second until I had to shower for work. This pregnancy was sucking all the energy out of me. I was always tired and had absolutely no motivation to do anything.

  * * *

  As I walked through the kitchen doors at work, I spotted Blakely right away. “Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in,” Blakely groaned, rolling her eyes at me.

  “I’m so glad we’re best friends,” I quipped, grabbing my apron and chef’s hat. “I mean, who else could I booby punch and get away with it?” Before she could react, I quickly squeezed her boob and laughed. “Damn, those things feel like water balloons.”

  “You’re so lucky you’re pregnant right now, otherwise…”

  “Otherwise, what? There’d be some girl on girl action?” Colin interrupted. He had a smug look on his face as he casually leaned up against one of the counters.

  “You wish.” Blakely laughed. “If, and that’s a big if, I were to do any girl on girl action, it wouldn’t be with Molly.”

  “Hey, I take offense to that.” I stuck my tongue out. “And you’d be lucky to have me.” I laughed. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.”

  “And all before I’ve had my afternoon Red Bull,” Blakely groans.

  “So anyway,” Colin said slowly, moving his eyes between Blakely and I. “Time to get ready for the dinner rush.”

  “I think you’ve made Colin uncomfortable.” I chuckled, nudging Blakely as I walked passed her.

  “That’s not the only thing I’ve made him.” She smirked and winked at me before walking to her section.

  “Ew. That’s just not something I needed to know.” And I definitely didn’t want to know about her hookups.

  Blakely walked up to me and whispered, “I’ve made him whimper like a baby as he begged for it.”

  I raised my eyebrows up at her and cringed. “Well, if I wasn’t nauseous before, I definitely am now.”

  She laughed as she walked away in her evil, but satisfied laugh. I’ve actually grown to like her these past few months. Sure, she annoyed me and was often inappropriate, but some how she made everything lighter. She never took anything too seriously, and she made me laugh on a daily basis. And she hasn’t let her feelings for Colin go unknown. I think everyone at Riverside knew she and Colin were hooking up. Not that Colin wanted to broadcast the news, but it was obvious he enjoyed it. He was a single dad after his girlfriend left him, so I think him being chased down by bombshell Blakely fed his damaged ego.

  We worked long into the night, keeping up with the dinner rush. With the holidays approaching soon, the Chicago streets were packed. The restaurant stayed busy, making my shift go by quickly. Drake stopped in, but I didn’t have time to chat, so he grabbed some food to take home to Stella and Michael.

  By the time I finally slowed down, my body went dizzy. I leaned up against a counter to balance myself, but my eyes weren’t focusing. I took in a few slow breaths, hoping to get my heart rate down, but after a few minutes, nothing was working.

  “Hey, are you alright?” Blakely asked from behind, placing her hand on my shoulder.

  “I don’t know. I just got really dizzy all of a sudden.”

  “Colin, grab Molly a chair from the office, please!” she yelled.

  “I’m fine. Really, I just—”

  “Shut up and sit.” Blakely grabbed the chair from Colin and all but pushed me down on it. “You want me to call Drake?” she asked concerned. She was typically a goof ball, but now I could tell she was truly worried.

  “Guys, I’m fine. I just worked too long without taking a break, that’s all. Next time, I’ll take breaks in between,” I promised.

  “There won’t be a next time.” I heard Drake growl from behind. Shit.

  I slowly turned and saw Drake leaning up against the wall, ankles and arms crossed. I could feel his angry eyes burning into me.

  “I thought you went home.”

  “I did. I tucked Stella in and wanted to come back and pick you up. I didn’t think I’d see you sitting out of breath like this.” He pushed off the wall and walked toward me. “I don’t want you working anymore if it’s going to put you and our babies in jeopardy.”

  “We’re not in jeopardy. Like I just said, it’s because I didn’t take a break. I won’t let it happen again,” I promised again. Drake knew how important it was to me that I keep working. I’d go stir crazy if I had to stay at home all day. I needed to be doing something—contributing something. Not to mention, that I really loved what I was doing. Plus, I knew the restaurant needed me, even if Drake insisted he could get a temp to replace me.

  “Okay, but—and I mean this—if this happens again, you are done. I don’t want you overworking yourself into preterm labor.”

  “Deal.” I smiled, agreeing to his terms because I knew it wouldn’t happen again. When I got too big or too tired to work, then I’d stop, but I wanted it to be on my terms. I wanted to continue w
orking until I could no longer do it. I didn’t just want to give it all up after I had worked so hard to get here in the first place.

  Before I met Drake, I had put myself through culinary school. Those dreams were still important to me. I knew I didn’t need to work, but it’s what I loved doing. I’ve always wanted to set a good example for Stella. I want to teach her that if you try hard enough and set your mind to it, you can accomplish your goals.

  I said goodbye to Colin and Blakely before letting Drake take me home. He could be tough sometimes, but was also very sensitive to when it came to making his family or me happy. After everything that went down with Travis and Nikos, he’d been more protective than ever— not that I blamed him.

  “Are you mad?” I asked as we pulled out into the street.

  “I’m not mad. I’m just worried.” He didn’t look at me, keeping his eyes focused on the road.

  “I know. And I’m sorry for making you worry, but I really will be careful from now on.” He nodded and we drove the rest of the way home in silence.

  I tiptoed to Stella’s room and quietly kissed her good night and covered her back up. She tended to kick the sheets off in her sleep. I brushed her hair off her face and smiled as I watched her sleep peacefully. I couldn’t help thinking how proud her daddy would be if he were still here. She looked so much like him that it’s hard not to think of him often.

  I quietly shut her door and walked back down the hall to our bedroom. I decided to take a shower and get the restaurant smell off me.

  “You’re free to join me, if you wish.” I slowly unbuttoned my chef’s coat and he watched as I slid it down to the floor. I walked backwards to the bathroom, unbuttoning my pants and giving him a view of the black lace panties, I’m wearing.

  “Hmm…you are making a shower very tempting.” He grinned.

  I smirked as I opened the bathroom door and walked inside. I shut it briefly and took my pants off. I slipped my panties off and cracked the door back open. I waved the panties in my hand, giving him a view of what he was missing.