hadn’t noticed how stunning he was that day, but now as he’s standing over me looking down like he’s happy to see me, I’m taken aback by how he looks, even in his chef uniform.
Oh, my God! I can’t remember his name! What was it? Damnit, I can only remember Cade’s name. He’s going to think I’m so rude. He said such wonderful things about my cookies, and I can’t even remember his name.
“Hailey, isn’t it? The woman who makes the incredible desserts at Comfort Food?”
I give him a smile I hope hides the terror racing through me as I try to recall what his name was. Cade and… Oh, God. How could I have forgotten?
Finally, after a pregnant pause that surely must be making him wonder if I’m suddenly a mute, I say, “Hi! Yes, that’s me. Thank you so much for remembering…”
His smile grows broader, and he finishes my sentence, mercifully. “Alex. It’s great to see you again, Hailey. I don’t remember if I mentioned where I worked, but I happened to look out and saw you sitting here, so I thought it would be only right that I came out to say hello to return the professional courtesy.”
I smile and open my mouth to introduce everyone at the table to Alex, but Sabrina chimes in with, “Professional courtesy? Did you get a promotion, Hailey? I thought you made desserts at your parents’ restaurant.”
Every cell in my body screams for me to lash out at her for that little swipe at what I do, but I don’t get the chance to even give her a nasty look before Alex says, “What Hailey does at her job is very much the same as what I do. If you can’t see that, you need to look again at what she creates. She and I are equals when it comes to our professions.”
Meadow squeezes my arm under the table, and I turn my head to see her gazing up at Alex like he’s a fantasy come true. I can practically read her mind.
Gorgeous, great job, and so considerate.
Trying to beat Sabrina to the punch before she opens her mouth again, I quickly thank him and add, “Alex, this is my friend Meadow. Her sister Sabrina and I are here celebrating Meadow landing a job with the design firm of Durkin and Chestnut.”
He graciously congratulates her and reaches out to shake her hand. I think Meadow might pass out she’s smiling so much.
“Interior design? I should definitely call you because my place could use some real help. I’m ashamed to say it looks the same as it did the day I moved in, and that’s not saying much. It’s a combination of just graduated with bachelor, and it’s not good.”
Meadow presses her knee so hard against mine I’m afraid she’s going to push me off my chair. She quickly rifles through her purse and hands him her business card. “I don’t have any new ones made up yet since I just got the job, but this one has my number on it. Give me a call. I’d be happy to see what we could do to get that place of yours in much better shape.”
“Will do,” he says with a smile, and I notice he can’t take his eyes off her.
“Well, I better get back to the kitchen or they’re going to think I abandoned ship. Enjoy your meals ladies, and it was wonderful meeting you. Hailey, don’t be surprised if Cade and I come back to Comfort Food to try more of your creations. I look forward to seeing what you make next time.”
Alex gives us all one more smile and walks away. Sabrina lets out a disgruntled huff that I can’t figure out, but Meadow and I let out a collective sigh before turning to look at one another.
“Okay, who is Cade and why didn’t you tell me you met my future husband?” she asks with a giggle.
“Cade is his cousin. Yeah, I think that’s it. He actually looks a lot like Alex. Maybe a few less tattoos. Or maybe more. I’m not sure. I only saw them together that one time. They stopped into the restaurant last week when I made chocolate lace cookies. I think that was Thursday.”
Meadow scrunches her face up at me. “Stop getting lost in the minutiae. Tell me everything about them. Who are they? Why haven’t I ever seen them before in my life? This city isn’t that big.”
“I don’t know much more than