1
MAGGIE
My hand shakes as I place the plate of chocolate-coated strawberries on the bar counter.
Arlo gives me an encouraging look that makes my insides flutter. I look away quickly, hoping he thinks my nerves are because of the dessert I’m presenting and not the fact that his luminous smile is turned on me.
“Let’s give them a taste.”
My attention snaps to Travis as he snags one of the strawberries and stuffs it in his mouth. He’s the boss of the Wild Taste Bar and Restaurant and the person I have to impress if I want to get the pastry chef position once Patrick retires at the end of the year.
I hold my breath as he chews. His brows knit together and then raise in surprise.
“There’s chili in these?”
I nod. “A little, to offset the sweetness.”
“Mmmm…” Travis nods appreciatively.“These are good.” He reaches for another one, and Kendra slaps his hand out of the way.
“Leave some for the rest of us.”
She’s the only one who can get away with playfully slapping the boss. He picks one up anyway and brings it to her lips.
Kendra opens her mouth to receive the strawberry and Travis pulls it away, just out of her reach. They both giggle and I look away, my ears turning pink at the intimacy of the moment.
Arlo catches my gaze and rolls his eyes heavenwards, making me smile. He works the bar and makes no secret of how sick he is of seeing Kendra and Travis all over each other since they got together.
I think it’s sweet, the boss and the head waitress.
“What did you say these are called?” Arlo asks.
The blush spreads up my neck, and heat blooms in my cheeks.
“They’re um... Strawberry Sin.”
Arlo’s eyes go wide, and a smile curls up his lips. “They taste like sin too.”
As he says it he bites into the strawberry, breaking the chocolate seal with his teeth. My eyes dart to his lips. Lips so full they look indecent on a man. Lips so full they haunt my dreams as I imagine what they taste like, strawberry and chocolate with a hint of chili and cardamom. Sweetness and heat and something manly and exotic, which was my inspiration for the dessert. My knees go weak and my blush deepens.
“I need to get back to the kitchen and clean up.”
I scurry away before the sight of Arlo enjoying the dessert that he was the inspiration for causes me to melt right onto the restaurant floor.
When I’m safely back in the kitchen, I lean so my forearms rest on the silver bench and let the coolness of the metal calm my heated skin.
All bartenders are terrible flirts, I tell myself. He likes my desserts and that’s all.
Through the round window of the swinging kitchen door that leads to the restaurant, I watch as my three colleagues enjoy the rest of my strawberry sins.
I’ve been working at the Wild Taste for three months now, and any normal person would be out there chatting and laughing with their colleagues. The last customer left a half hour ago, and while they’ve been out there enjoying their drinks, I asked if I could present Travis with a dessert I’ve been working on.
I should be out there socializing, but I prefer the cool steadiness of the kitchen. Especially after hours when everyone else has gone home.
My phone rings, and I stifle a groan when I see it’s Mom calling.
I contemplate slipping it back in my pocket, but I’ve already missed two calls from her today. She’ll get frantic if I don’t pick up.
“Hi Mom.”
