He nodded.
“Have you had hollandaise sauce before?”
He wasn’t sure. It sounded familiar, but he couldn’t be certain, so he shrugged.
“Tea okay? Or do you want another coffee? I’d recommend the tea here. I never have tea away from home, especially in London where they don’t know how to brew it properly. Usually looks like gnats’ piss, but it’s perfect here.”
“Tea sounds good.”
Grant gestured for the server to come over. She seemed flustered. Did she know who he was, or was she just feeling nervous about serving the hot as fuck alpha guy who was wearing a tailored suit that showed off his body to perfection?Kieran might have turned down the chance to go there, but he could still appreciate hotness when it was sitting across from him. The man might terrify him, but he was still a horny bitch. Grant ordered their food, asking them to put the hollandaise on the side for Kieran, and ordered them tea and orange juice.
“How are you feeling, Kieran?”
“Er . . . fine.”
“Not excited about your first day as the boss?”
“Oh . . . yeah . . . a bit nervous, really.”
“That’s normal. Everyone feels like that on their first day at a new job. I’m sure you’ve felt that before with all the moving around you’ve done.”
Kieran felt his face heat. He had a point, which is why he still didn’t fully understand why Grant was trusting him with the shop.
“Hey, none of that. Just because other people didn’t see your talents, doesn’t mean you don’t deserve this.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?” he blurted out.
Grant frowned at him, then his face softened. If just a fraction of what Kieran had discovered online was true, he should be running as far as he could from this man, but he could tell he would also do anything for the people he cared about.
“Like I said, you remind me of someone who I... well, things didn’t go how I wanted them to.”
“Is this person still alive?”What the fuck did I ask that for?
Grant burst out laughing and reassured Kieran that his mind had gone completely to the wrong place, but he didn’t elaborate any more. Kieran’s curiosity was piqued, but he knew better than to ask any follow-up questions.
Their drinks were brought over, and Grant said it was best to let the tea steep for a while, so Kieran sipped his orange juice. It had clearly just been freshly squeezed and was delicious.
“What do you think of Carl?” asked Grant.
Kieran was grateful he wasn’t drinking anything at that moment. He couldn’t think of anything to say, so he just shrugged and offered a weak smile.
“Is everything okay, Kieran? You don’t seem your usual spunky self.”
“It’s nothing . . . I’m fine . . . I’m just –”
“Tired, you said. Has something happened with that Papa Bear of yours?”
Kieran frowned, and then realised who Grant was referring to and chuckled. Derek gave off that kind of energy. Maybe he should suggest to Sarah that they change the project name. Grant was looking at him expectantly. What had he asked? Oh, yeah, about Derek.
“Nothing like that. I guess I just don’t know Carl yet to have an opinion.”
“Really? We all form opinions within seconds. Is something wrong?”
“I guess... it’s just...” Fuck! Why couldn’t he speak? “I’ve learnt not to go with my first impression. Been burnt enough times doing that before.”
Kieran breathed a sigh of relief. That was good as a vague enough answer, although based on the look of fury on Grant’s face, he’d made a mistake. He couldn’t help but flinch. Grant took hold of his hand and squeezed it affectionately.
“You need to give me the names of the people who’ve hurt you, Kieran.”
