Page 31 of Falling for the Grumpy Bad Boy

“For what?”

“For tonight. For stepping up when everything went to hell.” He paused, seeming to struggle with the words. “For making it work.”

I wanted to tell him that it had been my pleasure, that working beside him in that kitchen had felt more natural and exciting than anything I had ever done.

Instead, I smiled. “You’re welcome. I had fun. What happened with Conroy?”

He sighed. “He’s out. Messed up his hand pretty bad.”

“Oh man, I’m sorry.”

“Me too.”

I waited for him to say it. Would he ask me to be part of his team? Or did I piss him off so badly he never wanted me in his kitchen again?

My cab pulled up. Rhett stepped off the curb and opened the door. “Thanks again,” he said. “I’ll see you later.”

I got into the cab and looked up at him. He closed the door without saying another word.

Well, shit.

That was not what I wanted. But I got it. He probably had a full bench of chefs he personally trained that he would call up to the big leagues. They would be taking Conroy’s spot.

Oh well.

One day I would be on the tour as one of the lead chefs. I would have to invite him to work in my kitchen.

And I would wear fucking pink if I wanted to.