Page 3 of A Chef's Kiss for Christmas

Anna had so many questions. If she were brave like Carla, she’d just fire them at him and not care if it annoyed him. Since she was certain itwouldannoy him, and she absolutely wasn’t brave like her sister, she held her tongue.

“So that’s why you’re stressed?” Carla said, popping up and positioning herself behind Warren to massage his shoulders. He grimaced and swatted her away.

“I’m not stressed.”

Lewis rested his elbows on the desk. “I hope the Michelin people don’t visit while you’re away.”

“For goodness’ sake! We’re not getting a Michelin star. Why do you keep going on about this?” Warren attempted to shrug Carla off him. “The conversation is getting really boring.”

“It’s nice when you’re humble,” Carla told him, ruffling his hair before moving away from him. “We all think you’ll get a Michelin star, even if you don’t.”

“The review they gave you in the Michelin Guide was amazing,” Lewis said. “We’re definitely on their radar.”

“That doesn’t mean anything.”

“You’re a chef,” Anna said, confused by how defensive healways got when the subject came up. “Getting reviewed by Michelin is definitely a big deal.”

His features softened. “Yes, but it doesn’t mean we’ll get a star. Can we please change the subject?”

“Let’s talk about your parents again, then.” Carla plonked herself beside Anna on the couch. “Do you need a buffer?”

“A what?” Warren asked.

“Someone to come out with you and your parents, so it’s not so intense. I could pretend to be your girlfriend.”

“I don’t think that will be necessary, thanks.” His voice was firm, but Anna caught the uncertainty in his eyes, as if he were pondering the idea.

“What’s going on withyou?” Carla asked, slapping Anna’s thigh as she changed the subject again.

“Oh, I have news!” She’d decided to phrase her favour as an exciting opportunity and hope her sister wouldn’t catch on to her real motives. “We’re invited to the Christmas ball at the Grange Hotel. It’s free food and drinks, and we can stay over in the hotel for free, too.” The perks of her best friend’s dad owning the hotel.

“I’minvited?” Carla asked, eyes wide with excitement. Exactly the reaction Anna had hoped for. “I’ve always wanted to go. What am I going to wear?” She paused for breath. “Wait, when is it?”

“A week on Saturday. It’ll be so much fun.” It was an annual event that Anna had always enjoyed. At least until she and Hayden had broken up. It had lost its magic somewhat since then.

Carla’s eyes widened once again, but the excitement had been replaced by something else. Panic, or annoyance maybe. “I’m away. You know I’m away! Why on earth did you just get me all excited for nothing?”

“Where are you?”

“House sitting, remember!”

“Oh.” It rang a vague bell. “The house isn’t that far away, is it? Can’t you still come?”

“It’s a bit of a trek. Also, I can’t leave the dogs alone all night. I wouldn’t even want to leave them for the evening, really. And I wouldn’t be able to drink or stay late, so it wouldn’t be that much fun.” She glared at Anna. “I can’t believe you made me get all excited.”

“Sorry,” Anna said, neglecting to mention that she was just as disappointed as her sister.

“How come I was invited?” Carla asked. “You always go with your old gang from school.”

“Yeah,” Anna said weakly. “But Frannie said I could bring someone if I wanted.”

“So I wasn’t specifically invited?” Carla pouted. “Hang on… is Hayden going?”

“I believe so,” Anna said, clocking Warren and Lewis following the conversation and wishing she’d had it in private.

Carla gave a knowing look. “I take it he’s bringing a date?” She didn’t wait for confirmation, but ploughed on with her theory. “So Frannie said you can bring someone because she’s worried about you feeling awkward around Hayden and whichever bimbo he’s with now.”

“She just said I could bring someone,” Anna murmured.