Page 60 of Tastes Like Summer

Lexi blinks. “Who?”

I raise a brow at her. “Who the hell do you think? Diana. You’ve only been giving me shit about her for the past couple of weeks. Who else would it be?”

“I don’t know your life.”

I sigh. “Well, it’s her. She likes me and I like her.”

“When did you find out? During third period Math?” Lexi snorts. “You’re so cute I could throw up.”

“Shut up,” I say when she mock-gags. “I’m serious. She told me so herself last night.”

“Last night? Last night she was on a date with another man. I’m not sure I’m excited about you liking a woman who can so easily go from one dude to the next.”

Irritation sparks in the back of my mind. “She wasn’t on a date with another man. I mean, she was, but it’s complicated. You left early last night, so you didn’t see that she stayed after dinner with me. And we talked and—” I stop myself before I let my dopey smile rat me out. “Anyways, things are good between us. Really fucking good.”

She groans. “Ah, that’s gross. You had sex didn’t you? Wait, no, don’t tell me. I don’t need that image in my head.”

I snort. “Well, she’s the image I’ve had in my head all fucking day, which is why it’s been kinda impossible to focus. So I’m really sorry. I promise to try harder.” I don’t know how I’ll manage, though, because I’m currently fighting an impossible battle—which is to say, fighting the urge to message her every five seconds.

Give her some room to breathe—to process.

From what I gathered, last night was the first time in years that Diana had been with someone physically, which is why I’ve only texted her once today (a good morning text with a winky face emoji). Her response (Morning, I had fun last night) came almost immediately—just like me once I got home.

“I’m glad you were able to get the girl, but can we try getting through today before you start writing your initials in hearts all over your notebooks? We need to lock a place in by the end of this month, and we still need financing. I’m assuming last night was a bust given that you stole our latest potential investor’s date?”

“Wrong.” I smile. “That’s the other great news. Despite me being a total dick and—your words, not mine—stealing our potential investor’s date, I’m pretty sure he’s giving us the money. He was really nice about the whole thing last night. Plus, I just checked my email and saw I have something from him. I’d bet the recipe to my famous beef short rib that it’s good news.”

“Are you joking?” Lexi glares again. “Are you telling me that you have, right there in your pocket, Jonathan Bloom’s final decision on whether or not he’s going to invest in our restaurant, and you’ve been too nauseatingly happy to care enough to read it?”

“I—Yes?” Now that I think about it, it might’ve been a bit idiotic of me to skip over Jonathan’s email this morning. But then the image of Diana—gripping the edge of the counter as she moaned my name, my head between her thighs and fingers deep inside her feeling her tight and wet—popped into my head and I grew distracted.

Understatement of the year.

Lexi slaps me on the back of the head. “Read it, you idiot.”

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I laugh, not letting even Lexi’s bad mood shake me. Today is a good day, no matter what. How could it not be after what happened last night?

From: Jonathan Bloom

To: Michael Haynes

Subject: Dinner last night

Bud,

What a meal! You really outdid yourself with your tasting menu. I know you said there were more dishes you were experimenting with, but I think you and Lexi are headed in the right direction (though I’ve never doubted your ability to cook for a second—not since we first met that night when I sat at the chef’s table at the old place you worked at ten years ago. Can you believe how long it’s been?).

I like your idea of bringing fine dining to the Hamptons while making it accessible. There’s no reason why eating at a Michelin-starred restaurant should cost upwards of $300 per person. If you’re using seasonal ingredients from your own farm, I’m sure you’ll be able to keep costs down.

Your business plan is solid—I looked over your deck this morning—so that’s good, too. And I trust that you have the ability to handle the business side of things but also have the self-awareness to hire someone if you’re too overwhelmed.

In conclusion, I’m down to invest, man. I know you were worried for a second there with Diana, but you two are really good people who deserve the best—just make sure that’s what you give her. Understood? Last night, I saw a grown-up version of you I’d never seen, and I really enjoyed it. That’s the guy who made me want to double my investment (that’s right, man; I was always going to invest no matter what because we’re friends, but now I really want to invest because I think you’re going to do great things).

I’ll have my financial manager and lawyer reach out to hammer out the final details, but yeah.

LFG!!

Best,