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If I thought being reasonable would somehow get through to Trent, I was dead wrong.
“If you have a problem with how I run this place, you’re free to leave.”
I roll my eyes.
“Sure. And who’ll do all the work for you if that happens?”
He considers me for a second. Yeah. The idea of having to actually do the head chef’s job instead of just posing and posturing isn’t that appealing, it seems.
“The place is booked for the Chamber of Commerce dinner,” I add, just to make it abundantly clear that he can’t afford to lose me right now.
“Fine,” he bites out eventually. “I’ll deal with it right now. You lot can get back to making preparations.”
We file out of there.
I really need a new job.
3
August
Elbows really are the most useful part of the body, and I make good use of them to get to my usual car. It’s a habit by now. The hot subway guy never takes the same train home as I do, but I still sit in our car, because… Truth be told, I don’t have a good reason, I’m just an idiot with an infatuation. But the point is, I don’t mind being that idiot, so it’s all good in my book. Ryan was right, I haven’t been willing to put myself out there after the Oliver debacle, but something about my hot subway guy just pulls me to him. Maybe I should take the leap and say hi?
It takes a little effort to get to my destination today. The train is packed. People are standing wedged against each other like sardines in a can. Shoulders and hips are pressed together with no room to breathe in between, and I’m the annoying asshole who’s pushing through the masses, making everybody uncomfortable in the process.
“Hey!” somebody snaps, and I wince as I quickly remove my foot from the man’s toes.
“Sorry,” I say.
He just shakes his head and sends me an annoyed glance before turning his gaze back to his phone. I move past him and continue my slow trek forward.
“What the fuck is it with all these people?” I mutter under my breath as I push through the bodies that surround me, keeping my head down to detect any other unsuspecting feet before I stomp on those, too.
“You’d think they’re giving something away for free, somewhere.”
I snort and lift my head.
“Ye—” The word dies in my throat. Holy crap, it’s him. Dreamy subway guy in all his leather-jacketed, scruffy glory. Standing right in front of me. So close that I cou—
Somebody slams into me from behind, and I’m pushed right into dreamy subway guy’s chest.
“Sorry! So sorry,” I say as I scramble to take a step back, only there’s really nowhere to go. I suck in my stomach, though, to at least look like I’m not trying to rub myself against him.
“No worries,” he says.
He has a great voice. It’s pure, gravelly perfection. It takes me a moment to realize that I’m staring at him. I look away and clear my throat.
“Hi,” I say. Without making myself an idiot or anything. The beginning is promising.
He smiles. “Hi.”
Say something else! Don’t let him move along!
“I’m August,” I blurt.
“Caleb,” he says and smiles. “It’s nice to meet you, August.”
“Gus to friends,” I add.
