“Carolina, wait.”
I waved at everyone but took her arm and moved her back to the kitchen.
“I’m almost done,” she said. “Let’s go celebrate.”
“I’m only on probation, and I don’t want to crowd you. I thought I might rent a place. I love you and appreciate you but you love your home. I’m taking over your YouTube room as it is.”
Carolina filmed herself making recipes.
She waved a hand. “I haven’t had much time for that lately anyway. Chef,” she called to the night chef. “I’m off. Sheila and Rayanne are out front.”
“See you tomorrow, boss.”
“When do you start?”
“Tomorrow is my tour and first test shift,” I said. “Some of my equipment is in storage in Knoxville but they said I can use anything they have here. Hopefully soon I can go get everything.”
“Everything? You think you might stay here? And keep dating the guys?” We were almost to our cars. I’d parked next to hers. “Five people told me you were holding hands with them last night. And one person say you kissing in Greg’s window.”
I rolled my eyes. “How come I don’t hear anything about you?”
“I have no life,” she said. “Now I grabbed sandwiches. Let’s eat at home and drink wine.”
“I’ll meet you there.”
***
I checked my phone when I got in my car. Still no messages from the guys. I wondered how everything went at their meeting. I wanted to tell them my news, too, though part of me still worried I got the job through my connections with them. I didn’t wantto be another person in this town under the umbrella of the Grockton company and family.
You helped Raymond, I reminded myself, and you’re good at what you do. If you don’t like this department and this town, you can leave after three months.
Visions of kissing the two men from the night before ran through my mind again. I already felt connected to the Grockton stepbrothers.
There was a small vase arrangement of white and pink roses and daisies at Carolina’s house when we got home.
“Congratulations on the new job. Fondly, Burris and Greg.”
“Well!” Carolina smelled the roses. “These weren’t cheap.”
And yet it wasn’t a huge arrangement. I think they knew I’d be put off by a big ostentatious arrangement. “How did they know?”
“Everyone knows everything here, Anelya, I told you.”
The fear that they were involved in me being hired rose in my mind again. But maybe Carolina was right.
I took a selfie with the flowers and sent them a thanks. I added that I hoped their meeting went well.
“Things went pretty well,” Greg responded. “New people started today and we should have answers soon.”
“Enjoy your flowers. See you soon,” Burris added.
“I wish I had two handsome guys sending me flowers and wanting me to stay in town,” Carolina said.
My sister had not dated anyone that I knew of since Jared in our hometown, who she was with for over two years.
“Have you dated anyone here?”
She shrugged. “I’ve been busy with the diner, but recently I set up an online profile. I feel like I’m finally getting over Jared.”
