Page 116 of Until August

I texted Ari while I waited for the coffee to drip into the pot. I was wide awake, thanks to her, and sleep wasn’t an option.

What did he say?

Ari: I don’t know. I’m too nervous to read it. That’s why I texted you.

Ari: Can you please read it and let me know if it’s good? Then I’ll read it, and we can tell Nicola. I just want to make sure there’s nothing in the review to upset her.

Fuck. Nicola would be crushed if he didn’t give her a good review. I couldn’t imagine himnotgiving her restaurant a glowing review, but critics were a strange breed, so you could never be too sure. Two weeks ago, Jonathan Kessler returned for another dinner, as was the way with restaurant critics. He wanted to ensure that the second dining experience was consistent with the first. Even though Nicola was calmer the second time, I knew she was still nervous.

I wanted to tell Ari that we shouldn’t keep this a secret from Nicola, but I loved how she looked out for her cousin. Nicola’s family, friends, and entire kitchen crew were on her side and fully supported her. This just showed how special she was to gain their undying loyalty.

Last week, I met Scarlett’s husband, Dylan St. Clair. He owned The Surf Lodge and was Cruz’s best friend. Shane introduced us when I ran into them on my way to work one morning. When he found out I was Nic’s sous chef, he asked how she was doing, and I got the impression he wasn’t just making small talk. He really cared. So I told him what I considered the truth after working with her six days a week, twelve hours a day, and spending most of my free time with her.

“I’m sure she still has rough days.” I knew for a fact that she did and that she probably always would. “But I think she’s doing a little better every day.”

In fact, I knew that to be the case. I’d started noticing a dramatic change after the night she got drunk and confided in me. She smiled and laughed more now.

I’d like to believe I played some small part in her newfound happiness, but she was doing most of the work on her own.

While I didn’t think a bad review would break her—she was too strong for that—I still hoped like hell that Jonathan Kessler only had good things to say. I think Nicola needed that validation.

So I took my coffee outside, sat on the webbed lawn chair, and pulled up the review on my phone. No sooner did it appear on my screen than Nicola stepped onto the balcony in one of my t-shirts. I set my phone on the table screen down as my gaze roamed over her long, toned legs and bare feet, then back up to her bee-stung lips and unruly waves of chestnut brown hair.

Fuck, she was gorgeous.

She came up behind me, wrapped her arms around me, and kissed the side of my neck, then rested her chin on my shoulder. I skimmed my hands over her arms and clasped her hands in mine.

“Why are you up so early?” she asked with a yawn. “Is it Sage?” I heard the worry in her tone.

“Sage is fine. Just thought I’d get an early start. I didn’t want to wake you. Go back to sleep,” I said when she yawned again.

“I’m good. I’m up now.” She pulled away, and I released her hands as she came to stand next to me and helped herself to my coffee. “Did someone call? I thought I heard your phone ringing.” She handed the mug of coffee to me, half-empty now, and I took a sip before I set it down

Guess she wasn’t as sound of a sleeper as I thought. “Yeah, it was just one of those telemarketers,” I said smoothly.

The fuck? Why did I just lie to her?

“A telemarketer,” she repeated, studying my face. I kept it blank, devoid of expression. She was trying to catch me in a lie. But, unfortunately for her, my poker face was second to none.

Her brow furrowed, and I knew she didn’t believe me, but shewantedto believe me. “Well, okay. I’m just going to grab a cup of coffee.” She paused on the threshold and looked at me over her shoulder. “Do you need anything?”

“I wouldn’t say no to a couple eggs over easy.” I didn’t want eggs, but I was trying to buy time. I sounded sketchy as hell, like I was hiding something.

“You want me to make you eggs?”

“If you don’t mind.”

That put a deeper V between her brows. I never asked her to make me breakfast or to do anything else for me. “I don’t mind at all.” She smiled as if I’d just handed her a gift. It made me feel even shittier about lying to her. “I’d love to make you breakfast, but you always beat me to it.” She returned to give me another kiss and then went inside, promising she wouldn’t be long.

As soon as she was gone, I let out a sigh of relief and snatched my phone off the table. If this wasn’t good, I would track down Jonathan Kessler and tell him that he needed to get his head out of his ass.

Meanwhile, Ari was blowing up my phone with messages.

I took a deep breath and read the review, more nervous than if it had been my own restaurant.

As my eyes scanned the words, a burst of pride shot through me. My smile grew wider with each word I read. This was everything she’d been hoping for and more. I was happy I’d be here to witness her reaction when she read it.

My smile slipped when I read the final paragraph. I read it a second time, then tossed my phone aside and pushed my hands through my hair, gripping the back of my head.