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“Yeah, youareMarco,” Andrew said with a charming smile that hedefinitelyhad not possessed in high school.

Hehadhad those eyes in high school, hadn’t he? They were a flawless azure blue, and Marco could see himself getting lost . . .so fucking lost . . .

He dragged his brain—and his dick—back to sanity.

“Yes,” Marco said, shaking his outstretched hand and getting a brief impression of a firm strength and callouses. Ignoring the sparks that raced up his arm.

What he should do was tell Andrew that he was sorry but he couldn’t hire him.

As for why . . .maybe it would be better to be honest?

Sorry, but you’re too freaking hot and I’m way too freaking attracted to you for us to ever work together.

But it wasn’t going to be forever, was it? No. Andrew only needed to come in, spend a few weeks, maybe a month or two, in Marco’s kitchen, not even hismainkitchen, but his back pastry kitchen, and train Daniel to be able to deal with whatever came his way.

It would be embarrassing to admit, even to practically a stranger, that he couldn’t handle that.

“You’ve seen Marcella since you’ve been back?” Marco said, taking a seat opposite Andrew.

He tilted his head towards a cup of coffee in front of Marco. “Yeah, a few times. I got what Marcella said you liked,” Andrew said.

Great. Marcella knew Andrew looked like this now, and she’dstillsuggested Marco hire him, while also simultaneously lecturing Marco about how irresistible he apparently was, just by fucking breathing.

He and Marcella were going to have words later. He desperately loved his twin, but she could also be a massive pain in his ass.

But first, he needed toseal the deal.

Nope. Do not go there.

First, he needed tohirethe guy.

Better.

“We’re looking for a pastry chef, for Nonna’s.MyNonna’s, the high-end steakhouse,” Marco said. “Marcella said you were looking for work.”

He sipped his coffee and to his surprise,yes, Andrew had asked Marcella what his regular order was, because the latte was perfect.

Andrew shrugged. “Yeah, that’s true. But I’m not looking for something permanent. You’d want to hire someone who’s sticking around. Eventually, I’ll be opening my own bakery.”

“Well, about that . . .we do have an assistant who I think has a great future, but Daniel’s young. Needs guidance. More training than I have time for. That would be the plan. Get us through the next month or so. Get Daniel trained.”

Andrew tapped his finger against the tabletop. “I’ll give you a week. You’re open what, six nights a week?”

Marco nodded, not liking this. He needed a lot longer than a week.

“Okay, six nights of service. And if it’s alright, if I like it, if this Daniel is as good as you think, I’ll give you two months.”

Marco opened his mouth, not really liking how Andrew was acting liketheyneededhim.

Don’t be stupid, you do need him.That was Marcella’s voice in his head, lecturing him about the unfortunate realities of the situation.

“Okay,” Marco said. He named a figure for each night of service, and Andrew tilted his head, those blue eyes nearly impossible to read.

“Make it fifty bucks more a night, and I’ll do it,” Andrew said.

Marco was annoyed Andrew was acting like he was doing them a favorandnegotiating a higher pay grade, but they did need him. He could call up their staffing agency and get another temp, but it wouldn’t be someone he’d trust, or someone who could train Daniel.

And God only knew, it might be someone else who’d fall in love with him.