Page 4 of A Chef's Kiss for Christmas

“She’ll have meant a guy. But I guess you already know that. You just invited me for moral support.”

“You are great at moral support,” Anna said.

“Of course I am. But you should take a guy. Imagine the look on Hayden’s face if you turn up with a hot guy!”

While she definitely enjoyed the idea, it was ridiculous. Mostly because of the slight obstacle of not having a guy to take with her.

Carla’s eyes flickered with mischief before her head turned slowly in Warren’sdirection.

“No!” He gave a weird, strangled laugh. “Keep me out of your scheming.”

“Go on,” Carla whined. “Take her to the party. There’s free food and drinks, and Anna will look totally hot in her evening gown. I don’t see how you can say no. I’ll even sweet-talk your boss into giving you the night off. You’ll have a great time.”

Warren was already out of the chair, holding his hands up in a defensive gesture as he headed for the door. “I have to get back to work,” he said before darting out of the room.

With her cheeks burning, Anna dropped her head into her hands.

“You’re welcome!” Carla said cheerfully.

“For what?” Anna glared at her sister. “You totally embarrassed me.”

“It’s a great idea to take Warren. Hayden will go nuts when he sees you with him. And it’ll stop your friends from shooting you pitying looks all night.”

“They don’t do that,” Anna said, not sure why she was lying. It wasn’t as though she hadn’t already confided in her sister about how uncomfortable she felt when they were all out as a group.

Carla continued to grin. “I only wish I could be there to see Hayden’s face when you arrive with Warren.”

“Did you miss the part where Warren refused?” Lewis asked, swivelling contentedly in his chair.

“He refused becauseIasked.” Carla gave a dismissive flick of her hand. “He always says no when I ask him something, but Anna only has to look at him and the big grumpy oaf agrees to anything.”

“That’s not true,” Anna said firmly.

“What about the other week when I asked him to make me a sandwich, but the kitchen was already closed and he outright refused? Then you walked in and mentioned you were hungry and he was back in the kitchen like a shot.”

“Maybe because I asked politely, instead of bossing him around like you do.”

“Exactly!” Carla said. “All you have to do is ask, and he’ll go to the party with you.”

“No.” Anna shook her head, but an image flicked into her head of walking into the party with Warren by her side. It certainly would put an end to all the pitying looks. And it would be nice not to have to be so self-conscious around Hayden and his latest girlfriend.

“You’re considering it, aren’t you?” Carla asked eagerly.

“No.” This time she shook her head more firmly. “Absolutely not.”

The room fell silent, and she could feel both of her siblings watching her. They could read her far too easily.

After a moment, she pressed a hand to her forehead. “Do you really think I could convince Warren to go with me?”

Carla nodded enthusiastically and emitted an excited squeal of delight.

Chapter Two

Returning to the kitchen, Warren felt much calmer. Hanging out with the Carrington siblings had that effect on him. It definitely wasn’t anything to do with Carla’s weird legs up the wall nonsense.

Maybe he could be a little hard on the kitchen staff, but if the food wasn’t up to standard, it was him it reflected badly on. After working so hard to build himself and the hotel an outstanding reputation for the food, it irked him when anyone in the kitchen wasn’t a hundred percent focused on their job. Mistakes happened, but mistakes that could easily be avoided riled him up.

He offered Liam a rueful attempt at a smile when he walked back in to find him prepping the vegetables for the dinner service. At the back of the room, Sarah was unloading the dishwasher.