AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m impressed, Tyler,” he says, clearly wowed.
Maybe I should feel proud at his compliment, but all I feel is my skin heating out of self-consciousness.
When I was younger, I never really appreciated the fact that I had a celebrity chef for a dad who cooked up delicious gourmet dishes for my siblings and me. I was that obnoxious kid who wanted to eat McDonald’s rather than my family’s home cooking. I wasn’t interested in learning to cook either. Sandwiches were the one dish that were easy enough for me to make on my own.
But ever since I started working for my dad’s restaurant business just over a year ago, I’ve tried to pay more attention to the food scene. I’ve gotten really into it. That’s why I started experimenting with new sandwich recipes. It’s also why I haven’t told anyone about it, other than Tori.
I know what a huge deal my dad is. He’s celebrity Chef Andre Thomas Grant. He owns restaurants all over the world and has two Michelin stars. And even though we have a good relationship and he supports me, I don’t want to tell him about my sandwiches. They feel so small, so insignificant compared to the gourmet dishes he’s come up with for his entire career.
I don’t even feel comfortable talking to Gage about it. We’re brothers and have always been able to talk about almost anything with each other. But he’s our dad’s sous chef here at Se’bon. And he’s a TikTok star too, famous for the gourmet recipes he whips up on his account. I know he’d support me, but still. Part of me feels like I’m trailing behind them. Yeah, I know how to make hearty, good-tasting sandwiches, but that’s nothing compared to what they cook.
In the food world, they’re giants. I’m just a nobody who whips up random sandwich recipes and happens to be related to them.
I feel my shoulders start to sink before I straighten up in my chair and try my best not to let the self-doubt rattling me come through in my expression.
My dad glances at me. “That’s quite a refined palette you’ve got there. What else have you been hiding from your chef dad?”
“Just that. Told you I’m more than just a pretty face,” I joke. Everyone laughs.
Brunch wraps up with everyone getting up from the table to chat. It’s a flurry of conversations. Gage is bouncing off menu ideas for his wedding with our dad. Theo is talking to one of his hockey teammates, and Declan and Austin are going back and forth about places to have the bachelor party.
I get up and head to the restrooms. I’m about to turn the corner to the men’s room when I hear my sister’s voice.
“Tori, I’m serious. Are you sure you know what you’re getting into with Tyler? I love my brother, but you know his track record when it comes to romantic and long-term relationships is nonexistent,” Maya says.
I hear Tori let out a heavy sigh. “Look, I appreciate that you care about me. But I’m not a toddler. I don’t need to you coddle me about this. I’m well aware of Tyler’s dating past. I don’t care. I still want to be with him.”
There’s a conviction in her soft tone that sends a jolt through me. I catch myself smiling.
But then I remind myself that this is fake. She’s only saying that because she’s trying to sell our relationship to everyone. Not because she actually feels that way about me.
“Of course, Tori. We support you no matter what,” Becca says in her trademark sweet tone. “If Tyler makes you happy, then that’s all that matters. Right, Maya?”
My sister lets out an annoyed sigh. I roll my eyes.
“Right,” she says.
“But hey, at least you’ve got a hot new guy to help you cross a few things off your sex list,” Becca says.
My brow flies to my hairline. Wait…Tori has a sex list?
Tori makes a flustered noise that has me grinning.
“Bec, oh my god. Don’t mention that!”
Becca chuckles and Maya starts to whine that she doesn’t want to hear my name and “sex” in the same sentence.
I know I should probably leave—this is a private conversation and I’m not meant to hear it. But I can’t help it. I’m too curious. I want to know what exactly is on Tori’s sex list.
Chapter 7
Tori
“Aww come on, Tori. You have to admit that Tyler would be a fun guy to help you work your way through your sex list,” Becca teases.
I let out a flustered sigh and shake my head.
“Your TikTok thirst trap fiancé has corrupted you, Bec. Two years ago you wouldn’t have spoken the words ‘sex list’ in public.”
