Page 40 of Taste of Surrender

“Not much. You got work tonight?”

He shrugged. “I do, but I’m not looking forward to it. Nigel has been a terror lately, and I’m sure he’s going to yell at me the whole time I’m there.”

Nigel, the head chef at the restaurant where I used to work with Garrett, was a dick. It wasn’t unheard of in the restaurant industry, but I understood why Garrett wasn’t looking forward to his shift.

I took a seat at the dining table, which sat just off the entrance to the kitchen. “About that. I’ve got something I wanted to run by you.”

He turned off the burner and spun around. “Yeah?”

I nodded. “My brother offered me a job as the chef on his upcoming tour.”

“Seriously? That’s awesome. Are you going to do it?”

Despite my concern about being around Malachi, the more I thought about it, I couldn’t deny how great of an opportunity it was. And maybe seeing Malachi wouldn’t be that big of a deal. Years had passed since we were together. Time had a way of changing people, and it was possible I was worried about nothing. Surely the feelings I had before wouldn’t be the same now. At least, I could hope that was the case.

“I think so, and when I was talking to Jesse, he mentioned I should find another chef to help me out. You interested?”

Garrett’s eyes lit up. “You want me to work with you?”

“Of course. We already know we make a great team in the kitchen, and I know you’re dying to tell Nigel to shove it. We’re on a month-to-month lease here. Seems like perfect timing to me.”

“Hell yeah.” He walked over and pulled me up into a bro hug. “Let’s do this.”

“Cool. I’ll let my brother know, and then we can work out the details once I have more information.”

I headed toward my room and called Jesse. It rang a few times and then went to voicemail. Instead of leaving a message, I sent him a text:

I’m in

A few minutes later, my phone buzzed.

Jesse: Awesome! Can’t wait to see you

Once I decidedto take the job, I had to let all my clients know. I walked to Sean Ashford’s door and entered the code on the keypad to let myself in. I had texted him earlier to see what time he’d be home and told him I had something to discuss with him.

While working on dinner, I heard the door open, followed by two familiar voices. Ryan was with his father, and I was both grateful I could talk to them together and a little bummed my new job meant saying goodbye to Ryan as well.

It wasn’t because I wanted something more with him than the casual thing we had going, but I considered him a friend, and I enjoyed hanging out with him.

“Hey, Jasper,” Sean greeted. “I’m going to put my stuff down, and then I’ll be back.”

“Okay. Dinner should be ready in about thirty minutes.” I smiled.

When Sean walked away, Ryan sat at the island where he usually watched me cook. “Dad said you had something to talk to him about.”

I nodded, but said nothing.

“Is everything all right?”

“Yeah, just work stuff.”

“Ah. Gotcha. Maybe we can hit up Chrome after you’re done here,” he suggested.

Any other night, I would have jumped at the chance to grab a couple of drinks and dance, but I had a lot I needed to do prior to leaving for LA.

“I wish I could, but tonight won’t work.”

He looked a little disappointed. “Raincheck, then?”