Page 47 of Boss of the Year

“Sheisa chef.” Lucas rubbed his forehead like he was getting a migraine. “It’s literally what we sent her to Paris to become. You know this.”

Daniel didn’t seem to be paying attention. “So, listen. I know the other night in the conservatory didn’t work out, so I’m thinking I owe you dinner. What do you say to Friday? Carbone? Or would you prefer Pastis?”

My heart hammered in time with the ice cream’s mixing paddle. This was what I’d dreamed of for years. And yet…I had to say no.

“I…that sounds lovely, Daniel, but?—”

“Perfect. I’ll have my assistant make reservations.” His grin lit up the entire room.

My God, how did anyone say no to that ever?

Behind me, I heard Lucas’s coffee cup land a bit harder than necessary on the counter.

“No,” I tried again. “I mean, it sounds fun, but I have to?—”

“Do you have any allergies?” Daniel was already pulling out his phone, presumably to text his assistant.

“Don’t you have something productive to do right now?” Lucas’s voice was sharper than one of my knives. “Or are you planning to spend another day swimming in liquor and contaminating our food?”

Daniel darted an irritated look at his brother. “Come on, Lucas. It’s Sunday morning. Loosen the tie and go back to bed, why don’t you?”

“It’s Monday, Daniel.” A muscle at the bottom of Lucas’s jaw ticked. “And what Marie is tactfully trying to tell you is that she can’t go out Friday night because, unlike you, she has a job. Here. Cooking forus.”

The silence in the kitchen was so thick, I could have scooped it like the ice cream I had been trying to make.

“Really?” Daniel asked.

I shrugged. “Well, yeah. But we could probably do it on?—”

“Actually, it doesn’t matter.” He tore his gaze from his Lucas, and when it landed back on me, the sun was shining bright again. There were still a few clouds in that expression, but they were more like the fluffy white ones that would dissipate with a light breeze. “Nightcaps are more fun anyway. I’ll stay for dinner, and when you’re done in here, I’ll meet you in the conservatory. Just like we planned. Sound good?”

I glanced at Lucas, who seemed to be waiting for my response, then back to Daniel, whose smile still made my heart flutter.

Seize the day, Lea had told me.

And no one was sayingno, right?

“Sure,” I relented. “A nightcap on Saturday would be great. We’re usually finished in here around nine.”

“Then I’ll be waiting by the orchids at nine fifteen.” With another smirk at Lucas, Daniel snuck a quick kiss to my cheek, lacing the air around me with his signature cologne and a whiff of a martini. “See you later, gorgeous.” He practically skipped around the counter and plucked Lucas’s cappuccino off its saucer. “I’ll just take this with me.”

After he left, I stood there for a moment, trying to figure out why the room felt warmer without him.

A minute or two had passed before I realized that Lucas had remained and was eyeing his empty saucer like his brother hadn’t just stolen his drink.

“I can make you another.” I hurried to the fridge.

He stood quickly, making the leg of his stool screech on the hard floor. “Don’t bother. I have to get into the city for meetings at nine.”

He paused at the threshold, his storm-gray eyes meeting mine for a brief, intense moment that made my breath catch.

“Have a good day, Marie,” he said quietly.

Then, he was gone.

And it was only then that the room felt cold.

I was still trying to solve that puzzle when the sharp squeak of sneakers on marble announced another arrival.