she groaned. “I can never face him.”
“You have to. He really liked you,” I informed her.
She blushed, looking hopeful. “He did?”
I nodded. “Very much so.”
“He must think I’m crazy for running out.”
“He’d be thrilled to see you again.”
She sighed, looking uncertain.
“Do you have plans tonight?”
She shook her head.
“How about dinner?”
“Will Gerard be there?”
“Yes. It’ll be somewhere you can interact, but no pressure. I promise you one of the greatest meals you’ve ever eaten.”
“Gerard and great food? I’m in.”
I scribbled down the address. “Meet me here at nine.”
Her eyes widened. “Your boyfriend works at Creations? I’ve heard people talking about it. I read a write-up on it in the weekend paper. The critic raved about it.”
I smiled proudly at her. “My boyfriend is Creations.”
“Wow.”
Then I leaned forward. “So is Gerard.”
“Oh my.”
Byron laughed when I spoke with him later and told him the whole story. In fact, he dropped the phone, he laughed so hard. Once he stopped guffawing, he agreed my plan was a good one.
“You’re sure you want the kitchen spot, my love?” he asked.
“Yes.”
Byron had a special table in the kitchen, tucked into its own alcove. It was set up so you could see what all the chefs were doing. He sat there on occasion to observe if he felt something wasn’t working properly. At times, the chefs sat at it on their break, and every now and then, it was used to host special guests—people who paid big money to a charity to watch Byron cook a special meal for them. They were waited on by only Byron and Gerard and catered to for a night. Sometimes, Byron would grant them access and even allow them to do some simple task, so they could brag and say they had cooked with him.
He preferred when it was used as “Julia’s spot,” as he called it. I would sit, surrounded by schoolwork, interrupted only when Byron would slide some snack in front of me, nuzzling my head or dropping a heavy kiss on my lips and murmuring I was working too hard and needed to eat. He would sit with me when he could and talk quietly about his day or our plans for the next Sunday. Even after I came to live with him, he liked me there, saying he never saw me enough. I liked looking up and watching him in his element. Listening to him issue orders, commanding the flow of the kitchen, and keeping it running seamlessly. He looked so sexy in his chef’s attire, as he created, led, and tested, making sure each dish that left the kitchen was perfect. He would catch my eye and wink when he’d given someone hell about something, never raising his voice, only changing the tone. It was enough to bring them all to attention. Me included.
I had asked about bringing Lila and he told me it wasn’t booked, so he would have it prepared for me. “Gerard will be thrilled,” he assured me. “Once he gets over the surprise anyway.”
“I hope so.”
“Are you sure you can do this?”
I sighed. “I can carry dishes, Byron.”
“Okay. Just checking.”
“You’ll be okay out front?”
“I’ll make sure.”
“Byron?”
“Yes, my love?”
“I need you on top of your game tonight.”
He snorted. “Aren’t I always?”
“For me.”
He lowered his voice. “Do I get to be on top of you later, then?”
“Yes.”
“Done. We’ll give Gerard and Lila a night they’ll never forget.”
Lila’s eyes were huge when I met her in the parking lot. “Julia,” she called, hurrying toward me. “How did you manage to get a reservation—even if you know the owner? I was told it’s booked up for months!”
I hooked my arm through hers and walked toward the back of the restaurant. “We have a special table.”
I opened the door, and we stepped in. She looked around, taking in the busy kitchen and inhaling the delicious aromas. I smiled at her as I saw Byron approaching.
“There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
Byron leaned down, kissing my cheek gently. He extended his hand. “Hello, I’m Byron Lord. Julia’s official boyfriend. Welcome to my restaurant.”
Lila’s cheeks colored, and she tossed back her dark hair, then shook his hand. “Lila Peters. Dr. Lila Peters.”
“Pleased to meet you. May I take your coat?”
She slid it off her shoulders, and it was all I could do not to clap my hands. From the moment I met her, she reminded me of a movie star from the era Gerard and I loved so much. Tonight, with her dark hair down around her shoulders and