Page 115 of A Chef's Kiss for Christmas

“Why can’t he get one at the hotel?” Carla asked.

“Because the Michelin stars aren’t given purely based on the chef and how well they can cook. It’s the whole dining experience.”

“So they only give them to snobby, obnoxious restaurants?” Carla asked.

“No, but I guess Warren thinks the hotel isn’t the right vibe for them. He’s convinced there’s no way we can get one.”

“He was funny about that when I mentioned it too,” Anna mused. “When we were away with his parents, I made a remark about it being on the cards and he got really grumpy about it.”

“I don’t know what’s going on with him.” Lewis reached down to stroke Molly, who lay contentedly beside his chair. “But he’s been in a weird mood recently.”

“You said the kitchen is a lot calmer though,” Erin put in.

“Yeah. He seems to have stopped throwing his weight around quite so much.”

“That’s good, isn’t it?” their mum asked.

“In theory. As long as it’s not just that he doesn’t care enough to get angry with anyone because he’s planning on leaving.”

“He’s your best friend!” Carla threw her hands up. “Just ask him what’s going on. I can ask him if you want.”

Lewis shook his head. “I’m hoping things will settle downagain. And if he’s thinking of leaving, I don’t want to know about it yet. Not when we’re going to London tomorrow. I won’t be able to enjoy the time away if I know I have to find a new chef when I get back.”

“It doesn’t sound like Warren,” their dad said. “I always thought he was as loyal as they come.”

“He is,” Lewis said. “Hopefully, I’m wrong about him leaving.”

Anna’s mind was going crazy, churning everything over. She had no clue what was going on with Warren, but she had the unshakeable feeling that his odd behaviour at work was related to her. Or maybe the other way around… perhaps him going cold on her was something to do with his job. Maybe hewasthinking of leaving.

If he’d got a job somewhere far away, that could explain his aloofness. Maybe he didn’t think it was worth starting a relationship if he was moving.

The thought made her stomach tighten, and she pushed her plate away, claiming she was full.

As the conversation shifted, Anna’s mind remained stuck on Warren. Several times over the afternoon, she looked at her phone, hopeful that he might get in touch. There was no contact though, and she did her best to focus on her family as they exchanged gifts, then let Carla coax them into playing a card game she’d bought for Lewis, which involved throwing beanbags at each other when a certain card was drawn.

As usual, the day ended with Anna feeling that she’d eaten far too much. Mostly too much sugar, since her mum had plied them with a seemingly endless supply of treats over the afternoon.

With the sky completely dark outside, Anna declared shewas leaving fifteen minutes before she made it out of the door. The farewells felt as endless as the sweets.

“I can help,” Lewis said, picking up a bag of presents for her since she was carrying a stack of Tupperware with leftovers and even more treats.

“Everything okay with you?” he asked when she opened the boot of the car. “You seemed quiet today.”

“I’m fine,” she lied, then paused and watched her brother load her gifts into the car. “Actually, I have a question.” She hesitated long enough for him to stare at her expectantly. “I don’t want to put you in an awkward position, but it’s about Warren.”

“What about him?” Lewis asked, pushing his hands into his pockets.

“Did he have a conversation with you about me?”

“Yeah.” He frowned. “I’m not sure I’m supposed to tell you about it, though.”

She pressed her lips together, not wanting to push him into breaking a confidence, but thinking he ought to show some sibling solidarity. “I understand, but can you just tell me if you gave him any reason to think you’d have an issue with me having a relationship with him?”

“No.”

“No, you can’t tell me, or no, you didn’t say that.”

“I told him I didn’t have a problem with it.”