for that entire time, it doesn’t matter. I’m ready to take the leap.”
“I’ve never seen you all-in with a guy like this before. It’s beautiful, actually. You two are so in love, it makes me sick.”
She giggles, even though my words were not meant to be a compliment.
“I can’t believe I pushed him away for so long,” she gushes. “Sometimes it scares me to think of what my life would be like without him. If he hadn’t been so patient… I can’t even imagine it.”
I sigh. I’ve lost my sister to la-la land for good. Well, shit. “So if you move in with him, then what will I do?”
Monica perks up again and turns to face me completely. Her wide caramel eyes are bleeding with excitement. “Zach had the best idea, which you’ll probably hate, but honestly, you don’t really have any other options unless you go back to LA and move in with Mom, so—”
“Yeah, not doing that. What’s Zach’s brilliant idea?”
Monica takes another deep breath. “There’s a newly renovated apartment in Seattle, right above Edible Desire.”
The moment I hear the name of the kitchen, my entire body cringes. “Of course there is,” I mutter dryly. It seems I’ll never get away from that place.
“Desmond agreed to—”
“Stop. Desmond’s involved in this plan? As in cocky chef Desmond?”
Monica sighs at my interruption. “Yes. He owns the place. But he said he’ll let you live there for free.”
I feel my eyes widen. Shocked doesn’t remotely cover my reaction to what I just heard. I’m tempted to look around for the hidden cameras since obviously this is some kind of joke. “You might need to repeat that.” I laugh. “I thought you just said that Desmond agreed to let me live in his rental apartment for free.”
Monica is practically jumping out of her skin with excitement. “That’s exactly what I’m telling you. Free rent. Well…”
I laugh at her “well” because of course there’s some sort of condition attached to this offer. “Well what?” Then I shake my head. I actually don’t hate this plan so far. “Look, as long as I don’t have to talk to the guy or step foot back inside that kitchen, I’m on board with this.”
Monica cringes, giving me all the answers I need.
I’m shaking my head before she can jump in and explain. “Nope.”
“Just hear me out,” she pleads. “It’s a temporary thing, but you’d get free rent and still get paid. All you have to do is work for Desmond. The hours are so good too. And you could still work at White Water if you want to.”
My sister has some nerve with this proposition.
“Did you honestly expect me to say yes to working with Desmond Blake? At the freaking kitchen, no less? It’s like the world met in some secret meeting and planned my demise, and you’re the pawn leading me to the end. I can’t think of a job I would want less than that one.”
Monica tilts her head and gives me an annoyed look. “Wow. Dramatic much? I cannot believe you haven’t found yourself an acting gig yet. You’re such a natural.”
I cough out a laugh. “I won’t get to explore any career if I’m sweating over a stove all day. What would I even do there? Desmond knows I can’t cook. Zach must have paid him off to agree to this. This isn’t a one-sided thing. Desmond doesn’t like me either, M.”
Monica smiles. “Zach didn’t have to pay him. Desmond agreed to it. But you’re right about it going both ways. Maybe he doesn’t think you’ll accept the offer. Either way, he needs to find someone to replace Gretta, you need a place to live, and you need a job to afford it. You two are a match made in heaven.”
“Try a match made in hell.”
“Sure.” Monica shrugs. “But either way, you two need each other.”
I try to picture Desmond and me working together, laughing in the break room before cooking class, taste-testing all the new recipes, sharing a drink after work… Then our eyes meet in an emotion-filled stare. He kisses me, and I kiss him back. I grip his long hair in my fist to pull him closer while my naked ass smashes against the nearest wall, and he’s…
Whoa, that escalated quickly. I shake the vivid imagery from my mind and focus on my sister’s waiting face.
“So you moving in with Mr. NFL is already a done deal?” I ask. “There’s no talking you into getting a place with me