"You did, but I don’t mind hearing it again," she teases. "Honestly, it’s been no problem at all. It’s actually been really fun."
That surprises me. I wouldn’t have guessed a job in a resort kitchen would be fun, especially for someone who’s probably never worked a day in her life. I don’t mean that in a rude way; it just seems like a fair observation.
I just wish this was every day that Genevieve working here, staying here, was permanent. The thought of her leaving again feels unbearable. Those four days without her were torture. I can’t do it again.
“What can I get for you?” She asks pulling me from my thoughts.
“Whatever’s easiest,” I say, not really caring as long as she stays right here.
“Well, I know this place is famous for its burgers, but I’ve been making everyone these philly cheesesteak egg rolls,” she says.
"I have no idea what that is, but I’ll take as many as you’ll give me," I reply without hesitation.
“Be back in a jiff,” she says with a grin before disappearing into the kitchen.
I watch her walk away, unable to help admiring the curve of her ass from where I’m sitting.
“Yo, lover boy, cut it out. Don’t distract my new chef, she’s working," Raul calls out.
"She wouldn’t even be your new chef if it weren’t for me," I shoot back.
Raul scoffs. "What do you mean? You were the one telling her to stay on vacation and ignore my offer. I got her here myself!"
“Whatever you say, boss,” I tell him.
“What are you having?” He asks.
“Sprite.” I answer. He grabs the spray nozzle and a cup and presses the green button as he fills up my glass. Sprite’s basically my version of cocaine these days—safe, legal, and still gives me a little kick.
“Thank you, by the way,” he says. “I honestly would have been stuck in mud if it weren’t for either of you. You know Derek might not have his job when he gets back.”
I laugh. “Yeah, she’s pretty awesome,” I tell him and I get stuck staring at Gen once again. She makes eye contact with me and smiles.
Raul waves his hand in front of my face. “Stop distracting her,” he says.
“I’m not distracting. She’s distracting. Maybe it wouldn’t be so good to have her continue working here. She’s too good looking,” I tell him.
“The contrary, they’re gonna wanna stare and stay longer, which means more money. And more money for me, means a happier boss for you,” he says.
Touche. Except now I’m getting jealous, because I don’t want anyone to be staring at Genevieve but myself.
She’s mine. Mine to keep, mine to touch and mine to look at.
Raul went to the other end of the bar to help new customers that just sat down and Genevieve comes back with my lunch ready. I stare at the plate full of food that looks like mini tan burritos. Except these aren’t that, they’re better because Gen made them.
“These look delicious,” I tell her right before I take a bite. It burns my mouth but once I taste how good it is, I power through. I can’t believe how good it tastes.
“These taste delicious,” I tell her. “What’s in them?”
“Well, I figured I wouldn’t be able to replicate the exact same burger Derek makes that people come here for and I figured everyone’s probably a little tired of burgers anyway, so I took the hamburger meat from the burgers and the cheese that goes on top, mixed with grilled onions and peppers then rolled them up in a rice wrapper. I’m not sure what those rice wrappers were used for before, but I just found them in the back and went with it,” she says.
God I love hearing her ramble. She sounds so cute when she’s passionate about something. The twinkle in her eyes just tells me she is having an awesome day. I didn’t know cooking was such a passion of hers. I might have to convince her to make this a regular thing, her cooking for me. She’s so talented.
“Well, you should drop out of school and become a chef,” I tell her. “You have such a talent.”
“Thanks, Aspen. That’s really sweet of you,” she says.
“Raul may not want Derek to come back if you’re going to be cooking this good,” I tell her. If I’m being honest though, I’m the one who selfishly doesn’t really want Derek to come back, this way I could have Genevieve all to myself. I could get used to her working here. But I know she has a life back in Nebraska.
