Page 109 of A Chef's Kiss for Christmas

Lewis glanced around the kitchen before lowering his voice. “Not to freak you out, but there’s a couple in the restaurant eyeing everything with scrutiny.”

Warren frowned. “What?”

“It’s probably nothing. These days, whenever I’m here in the evenings, I can’t help but loiter in the restaurant and speculate over whether any of the guests might be a Michelin reviewer, but I guess there’s nothing to say they wouldn’t come for lunch. It also seems likely they’d send someone out over Christmas, don’t you think?”

“I have no idea,” Warren said, his tone clipped. “It’s not something I think about.”

“Yeah, right.” Lewis gave his arm a friendly punch. “I don’t believe that for a second.”

“It’s true,” Warren muttered. “Do you honestly think there’s a real chance we’ll get a Michelin star for this place?”

“I don’t see why not.”

“Wewon’t.” Warren shook his head. “If that’s your goal, you may want to rethink it.” Lewis opened his mouth, but Warren spoke over him. “What does it even matter? The restaurant is doing well, and we get great reviews from the customers. That’s what you should be bothered about.”

“Thatiswhat I’m bothered about,” Lewis said, tilting his head. “A Michelin star wouldn’t hurt, though. And after the review they gave you, I don’t know why you think it’s not a possibility.”

“They didn’t reviewme,” Warren said. “They reviewed the restaurant.”

“Yes, but you’re the head chef.” He frowned deeply. “What’s your problem?”

“I don’t have a problem. I just don’t think you should get your hopes up about the Michelin star.”

“Okay.” He lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “I didn’t realise it was such a sensitive topic.”

“It’s not,” he lied, then looked around the kitchen. “I have work to do.”

“I’ll leave you to it, but let’s get together for a drink sometime soon.” Lewis gave him an uncertain look and left the kitchen without another word.

Feeling the need to get his thoughts in order, Warren grabbed his coat and stepped out of the back door into the freezing cold air. A thin layer of snow covered the small car park behind the hotel, and Warren’s breath fogged in front of his face as he stood on the steps.

He got his phone out, acutely aware that he owed Anna a phone call.

His gaze lingered on the screen for a minute before he decided he had no clue what he’d say. While he really didn’t think he had anything to worry about regarding her and Hayden, there was a spark of doubt in his mind, which quickly ignited.

She’d probably be better off with someone like Hayden, anyway. He seemed like a straightforward guy.

He was probably honest too.

Which was something Warren definitely hadn’t been.

Chapter Forty-Four

When Warren hadn’t called by Friday afternoon, Anna caved and sent him a message asking how he was. She supposed she should have been pleased that he replied so quickly, but the message didn’t exactly fill her with joy. He said he was fine, but was busy with work.

Did you speak to Lewis?she typed, wondering whether the conversation would be better as a call.

Yeah. I’ll tell you about it when I see you.

When will that be?she asked, hating that she sounded desperate when his messages were definitely on the cool side.

I don’t think I’ll have a night off until the New Year. Sorry.

She waited, but that was all she got, and she wasn’t at all sure how to respond.

Briefly, she contemplated calling Lewis to ask exactly how the conversation had gone between the two of them. She really didn’t want to bring Lewis into it though, especially since she knew what he’d have said – that he was fine with it.

There was no way he’d say otherwise.