“All right, kid, let’s hit the road. I’ve got a woman I need to see.”
18
LEXIE
“Jordan, can you take the foil off the mac and cheese and set the broiler for five minutes?”
I dropped another piece of chicken into the fryer. The kitchen in this clubhouse wasn’t anywhere near as nice as the Reapers’, but I was making it work. The mac and cheese was almost finished and the banana pudding was chilling in the refrigerator. I had to throw out a shelf full of moldy food to make room, but that was probably for the best. And proof they needed to hire me more often. I was already planning out a weekly meal service in my mind. Next I needed to work out the pricing. My fingers itched for my binder, but first, chicken.
Jordan had turned out to be a great assistant. I’d already decided to pay him a share of the night’s profit. He’d earned it. Even if he hadn’t been a good helper, he was a good bodyguard. While I tried not to be quick to judge others—I’d had enough of that growing up—these bikers were nothing like the Reapers. They had a different edge about them, and I didn’t like the waythe guy that brought us in here stared at me. If it wasn’t for Jordan kicking him out of the kitchen, I think he’d still be in here staring at me with his creepy serial killer eyes.
I shivered and reached the tongs into the fryer to turn the chicken. I’d make sure my weekly meal plan was drop-off only, not to cook on site. My spidey sense was tingling, and I knew this wasn’t a place I ever wanted to be alone. But I was clever. I could listen to my gut and make money at the same time. Life was all about balance.
My phone vibrated, and since my chicken had a few more minutes, I answered. I didn’t like to be distracted while I cooked, but it was the fifth time in two hours it had rang, so maybe it was important. Like a pipe burst in my apartment or something.
The name on the screen caused my heart to flutter. I took a deep breath and answered. “Bear?”
“Lexie, where the fuck have you been?”
I blinked and pulled the phone back to look at it. Did he think he could talk to me like that?
“Sorry, you’ve dialed the wrong number.” I moved my thumb to press the red cancel button when he spoke again.
“Shit, sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I was worried, that’s all. I called you several times. I thought something had happened.”
I snorted. “I’m out here living my life, like I have been for the last seven days.”
“Aww pixie, have you been counting the days since I left?” I could hear the smile in his voice, and I hated it. Hated that I could picture the way he bit his bottom lip as that sexy grin spread across his stupidly handsome face.
“Definitely a wrong number.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t come to you sooner. But I’m almost back. In fact, I’m about thirty minutes out. I was hoping, if you weren’t busy, I could take you out for a date. I need a quick shower, but I could be at your place in an hour or so.”
“A date? You just assume I have nothing at all going on? Maybe I’m already on a date.”
A rumble erupted from his end of the line. “Are you on a date right now, baby girl?”
I closed my eyes, willing myself to find the strength to resist the guy. But dang it all, it would be a lot easier if he’d quit calling me baby girl. And didn’t buy such amazing gifts.
“Hold, please.” I had chicken to fry and this banter was going to make me burn something.
I took the last of the chicken out of the fryer and set the pieces on the rack to drain. The oven beeped and I motioned for Jordan to pull the mac and cheese out, only to realize he’d left the kitchen. Bathroom break?
“No, I’m not on a date. But I am busy.” I switched off the oven timer and grabbed a hand towel. Bear started to speak, but I told him to hold on again and set the phone on the counter. I pulled the mac and cheese out of the oven and smiled. The cheese was ooey gooey goodness and had browned perfectly on top, the way everyone loved it. I set it in the chafing dish next to the beans and potato wedges. Almost ready.
I put the phone on speaker and transferred the fried chicken to the table.
“Busy with what? What’s all that noise?”
“I’m on a job.” I took a deep breath. Maybe I was being unfair. He’d apologized for not saying goodbye. And now he was back in town and asking for a date, like he said he would. In my experience, once a family let me go, they never reached back out. So maybe this wasn’t the same thing.
“That’s awesome.” His voice echoed across the table. “How’s it going so far?”
My heart swelled with pride. “Great. I mean, the guys here don’t have quite the same vibe as your guys, but the food looksgood and I think I can book them for future gigs. I’ll have to remember to thank Mav for the referral next time I see him.”
“Referral?”
“I mean, I assume Mav gave the referral. Seemed like too much of a coincidence since it’s for another MC. And speaking of, I’ve got to get back to it. It’s time to serve.”
