Page 1 of A Chef's Kiss for Christmas

Chapter One

Considering it had been two years since they’d broken up, Anna spent way too much time thinking about her ex-boyfriend. He was on her mind yet again as she strode down the main street in Chipping Campden. Christmas decorations had popped up the week before, and the golden glow from the twinkling lights illuminated the smattering of snow on the ground.

Warm air enveloped her as she entered her brother’s hotel. Her eyes feasted on yet more festive decorations, which hadn’t been there on her last visit. The Christmas tree in the lounge filled the room with the scent of pine, while strings of tinsel and fairy lights criss-crossed the ceiling.

Ivy smiled at her from behind the reception desk.

“How are you?” Anna asked, walking around to give her old friend a hug.

“Fine. Enjoying the calm before the storm.”

“How do you mean?”

“November,” she said, as though it was obvious. “It’s got a weird feel to it, hasn’t it? There’s not much going on, but I know December will be crazy, so I feel as though I’m waiting for chaos.”

“I know what you mean. December will be busy enough for me, with more work than usual. I can’t imagine what it’s like for people with kids.”

“Poppy is already getting excited,” Ivy said, about her six-year-old daughter. “She’s started writing a letter to Santa.”

“It must be so wonderful to still believe in Santa.” Anna smiled, thinking of how simple and magical Christmas was when you were a kid. “I have the wreath for the front door,” she said, holding up the shopping bag with the decoration she’d made at her brother’s request.

“Leave it with me. I’ll put it up later.” Ivy took the bag, then gestured to the door, which led to the staff area. “Carla’s here, by the way.”

“I know. I messaged her earlier.” She’d told her sister to meet her here – she had a favour to ask and was sure it would be easier to persuade her in person. “Did she seem to be in a good mood?”

“The last time I saw her she was in the kitchen, arguing with Warren. It’s hard to say whether that means she’s in a good mood or bad. I think she enjoys antagonising him.”

“I think she does too.” At one time Anna had thought her sister had a crush on the hotel’s chef, but as her brother had pointed out, if Carla really had feelings for him, she’d have acted on them by now.

“Is Lewis around too?”

“In the office,” Ivy told her, and Anna headed that way.

Not so long ago, she wouldn’t have had to ask if Lewis was at the hotel. During daylight hours you’d never have found her brother anywhere else, but since his girlfriend, Erin, had moved in with him and he’d hired a general manager for the hotel, he took a lot more time off.

Halfway along the corridor, she reached the door to the office and gave a quick knock before opening it.

“Hi,” she said to Lewis, who was looking very relaxed,leaning back in his chair. She smiled automatically at the amusement in his eyes. “What are you smirking about?”

“These two idiots.” He tipped his head across the room.

Stepping further inside, Anna did a double take. Both her sister and Warren were lying on the floor with their legs up the wall.

“What are you doing?” she asked, closing the door behind her.

“Your sister’s being a weirdo, as usual,” Warren said, but didn’t open his eyes to look at Anna.

“Who said you could speak?” Carla snapped at him. “Concentrate on your breathing, or this will be entirely ineffective.”

“It’s ineffective anyway. I’m getting more annoyed, not less. Though maybe if you’d go away, all my anger would mysteriously vanish.” His voice dripped with mocking, as it usually did around Carla.

“We’re working on his anger management,” Carla said, twisting her head to look at Anna. “I’m teaching him ways to calm his nervous system.”

Anna drifted over to the two of them. Since Warren still had his eyes closed, she let her gaze linger on the hard line of his jaw, which was covered in stubble. His short brown hair was slightly mussed up in the way it often was – as though he’d been dragging his fingers through it.

When his lips twitched, she shifted her attention away, nervous that he’d catch her staring at him.

“You look ridiculous,” she said.