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Chad: Morning, beautiful. I'm dropping off Bella at Sarah's this afternoon, and I'll wait for you in our usual spot after your shift.
I texted back the next second.
Scarlett: Yes, yes, yes.
Chad: I can't fucking wait.
I sent back a selfie with a huge smile. It was a tad theatrical. I was also batting my lashes, which I wasn't sure he could actually tell from the picture. But I was certain that he got the gist of the message.
After I sent it to him, I decided to check my emails before putting the phone away for the rest of the day. To my surprise, I had another email from Mark.
Hey Scarlett,
I wanted to discuss something with you while I was in NOLA, but it didn't quite work out. How is your contract at the restaurant? When does your trial period end? Would you be willing to return to us?
I frowned. He really thought I'd give up my position as chef here to be a sous-chef again? Unbelievable.
I was tempted not to reply at all, but I didn’t want to be rude.
Hey, thanks for thinking about me, but I'm perfectly happy here.
That was neutral, I hoped.
I slipped the phone into my locker and decided to forget all about it. It wasn't difficult. Working in the kitchen was the best way to stop an overthinking mind.
Chad and I weren’t having our coffee date today because he had a meeting at that time. At eleven thirty, I already had withdrawals, though I wasn't sure if it was from the coffee or Chad himself. I kept busy looking over our supplies. I was so lost in trying to calculate whether we had enough scallops that I didn't hear Joel until he was right in front of me.
"Boss, you got a delivery," he said.
I looked up and grinned. "Coffee? But how?"
He held a hand up in self-defense. "I don't know any details. The delivery boy said it’s for you.”
Oh, Chad. How is this man even real?
I downed the coffee in no time and then hurried to my locker. To my astonishment, I didn't have a message from him.Oh, that's right. He’s in that meeting.But yet he'd coordinated for me to get my coffee.
I texted him anyway. He'd see it whenever he was free.
Scarlett: Thanks a lot for the coffee. Can't wait for tonight.
The rest of the day was slightly insane. We had a last-minute cancellation, but then we had a large group unexpectedly pop by. Since we had an opening, we took them too. They had all sorts of dietary requirements as well as allergies and intolerances, which slowed the kitchen down somewhat, but we managed.
By the time I was done at nine o’clock, I felt like I'd run a marathon. I was so proud, though. We’d gotten some fabulous feedback today.
My legs felt like rubber as I left the restaurant. The street seemed even darker than usual, but I could still spot Chad.
"I've missed this," I confessed as soon as I was close to him.
He unhitched himself from the wall and came to me.
"I miss you," he growled before kissing me right there against the restaurant wall.
I responded with just as much desperation, rising on my toes. I almost jumped him before remembering that this was my place of work, and someone could come out at any time.
"Chad, I just... I..."
"I know, I know. Fuck. I hate to admit it, but that rule of yours is good.”
