Page 9 of A Chef's Kiss for Christmas

His jaw looked painfully tight, and he held his shoulders so rigidly that she had the urge to massage the tension out of them. When he glanced up and caught her staring, she whipped her gaze away, cursing the way her cheeks flashed with heat.

Anna’s blush made Warren smile, and he felt himself relax a little. At least until they’d ordered food, and his dad manoeuvred the conversation straight back to where they’d left off.

“Did you say you only work part time?”

Warren breathed deeply through his nose. There was no way Anna’s erratic work schedule would impress them. Whichwouldn’t matter if they were better at hiding their disdain of anything that didn’t meet their approval.

“I only work part time at the flower shop,” she explained. “But I also have a lot of freelance work.”

His dad’s eyebrows rose keenly. “What kind of freelance work?”

“I have an online shop,” she told him. “Selling cards and gifts. I also sell at craft fairs pretty regularly.”

“I see,” his dad said with a condescending smile.

“It’s pretty small at the moment,” Anna said. “But that’s how all businesses start, isn’t it?”

His mum tapped a nail against her wineglass. “Do you have plans to expand?”

“My idea is to have my own flower shop eventually,” she said, then paused and sipped her wine, while Warren tried to figure out if that was true or if she was just trying to impress them. “I have a degree in business and marketing,” she added.

Warren’s eyes widened. When he’d told her what his parents were like, he hadn’t expected her to outright lie. He was surprised she had it in her.

“I always had the idea of opening my own flower shop, but I decided it’d be best to get some experience first. It almost feels cheeky getting paid to gather knowledge for when I open my own place. I don’t tell my boss about my plans, of course.”

“Do you have a specific timescale for opening your own place?” his dad asked.

“I keep an eye on the property market, waiting for the right premises to come along. I’m only twenty-five, so I don’t feel there’s a big rush. The more experience I have when I branch out, and the more money I’ve saved, the more likely I am to make a success of it.” She shrugged. “Maybe I could even have a chain of shops one day.”

“Interesting plans,” his mum said, with a nod of approval.

“Sounds like you’ve got a good head on your shoulders,” his dad intoned. “I’m sure you’ll do well.”

Anna caught Warren’s eye. He could barely contain his surprise. For someone so meek and mild, she could put on quite a show of confidence when she felt like it.

Smoothly, she asked his dad about his work, which got him talking about his recent business deals. More impressive than her earlier performance was the way Anna feigned interest in everything his dad said.

The conversation flowed easily, filling the space until their food arrived.

“I don’t know about yours,” his dad said, winding tagliatelle onto his fork, “but my food is divine.”

“It’s good,” Anna said, popping a piece of ravioli into her mouth. “I think I’m spoiled with food these days since I eat at the hotel quite a bit. Warren makes amazing fresh pasta.” Glancing up at his parents, she smiled softly. “You must be very proud.”

Warren wanted to laugh at that. Even more so when his mum murmured that, of course, they were proud of him.

What else could they say? That he was their biggest disappointment?

He knew that’s what they were thinking, but they’d be nothing other than polite in company. Which was exactly what Anna had said – that family would always be on their best behaviour around other people.

He refused to look at his parents, but took a swig of his beer and decided that whatever Anna needed from him at her party next weekend, he would play the role to perfection.

When the desserts arrived, Anna turned to Warren. “What have you got planned with your parents tomorrow?”

“I booked tickets for Blenheim Palace in the afternoon.”

His mum would no doubt love it, and with so much to see, it should make conversation easier.

“It’s beautiful,” Anna said to his mum. “The palace is all decorated for Christmas, and there’s a light trail around the gardens. You’ll have a great time.”