Page 40 of Babydaddy To Go

Alyssa laughs. “It would go even faster if you helped me.”

I saunter over to her workstation. Samantha cleaned up her side of the kitchen and was one of the first to leave. She’s been surprisingly complacent since my restaurant opening. I’d guess my warning earlier that day got to her head. She doesn’t want to be on my bad side.

At the sink, I grab the sprayer from its holster. “I’ll rinse.”

“Okay,” she says without looking up. She’s going to regret that.

Alyssa hands me the pot she’s just finished scrubbing but instead of spraying it, I spray her.

“Hey!” she laughs. “No messes in the kitchen.”

“It’s my kitchen,” I tease. “I can make a mess if I want.”

I spray her again and she squeals. “Now you’ve done it!”

Alyssa grabs her sponge and tosses it at me, suds and all. The rectangle hits my chef’s jacket and falls to the tile floor, leaving a wet outline on my clothes.

In response, I spray her again then take a few quick steps towards her. The floor is slippery from our water fight, so my foot flies out from under me and I land on the tile with a thunk.

“Oh my God, are you okay?” Alyssa cries. She tries to help me, but slips herself and lands on top of me.

“I am now,” I say. I lift my head to kiss her gently. She sighs and melts against me.

“I wish we could stay like this.”

“Finish cleaning up and we can go back to my house. We’ll make dinner, and maybe watch a movie. It’ll be like the floor, but more comfortable I promise.”

Alyssa giggles.

“I like that plan. It won’t take me much longer. I was wasting time until the rest of the class left.”

“I figured. Now get to it!”

I help Alyssa clean up without making any more of a mess. The custodian who comes in after class is going to wonder what happened in this station. I mop the floor as best I can with paper towels, but he’ll still have to finish the job.

Once we’re done, I lead Alyssa to the small lot hidden behind the school. Only employees are allowed to park back here and it’s protected by an attendant. Normally, I would take the train to work, but I had something else in mind today.

“It’s a beautiful afternoon,” I say. “Why don’t we go to the beach?”

“I’m not dressed for the beach!”

I shoot her a grin.

“You’re dressed perfectly, honey. Come on, it’ll be fun!”

She agrees and hops into the front seat of my car. I wish I’d brought one of the convertibles today. I’ll have to remember that for next time.

My hand rests on Alyssa’s knee the entire drive to a secluded beach I’ve been visiting for years. It’s completely deserted today; perfect for a romantic getaway.

Alyssa takes off her sensible kitchen shoes and tosses them on the car floor. Without waiting for me, she jogs to the sand and stands with her arms open to catch the chilly wind coming off the sound.

“This is beautiful,” she says when I join her. “Do you come here often?”

“When I need to think,” I admit. “It’s relaxing out here, don’t you think?”

She falls against my side. “I love it. I could stay here forever.”

Forever, it turns out, is only an hour. The sun begins to set, turning the temperature from bearable to frigid quickly.