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I laced my fingers together and kept my eyes locked on hers as I replied, “While I can appreciate your drive, I have to say that your obvious contempt for Mr. O’Malley won’t help you win that position. All you can do is work hard and perform at your best level. The opening with Chef Agard will go to the student he deems appropriate.”
Calla stood and said, “Just remember what I said. Thanks for your time.”
I waited until she walked out to allow my emotions to rise to the surface. Although my first instinct was to seek out Brendan, I knew that would only give her the fuel she desired. I decided I’d rather hold off on telling him until we were alone again, then I’d let him know what was going on.
Once I was able to get home, take a shower, and calm myself down, I called Brendan and asked if he had any plans that night. He told me he was working on a song but to come on by, he’d leave the door unlocked.
I picked up takeout from my favorite Thai restaurant, and went to his loft.
His place had really started to grow on me. I loved the funky, creative vibe it had, and could understand why he loved to write in his space. Sure, it didn’t scream “a grownup lives here,” but it suited Brendan.
I put the bags of food on the counter, then walked into the sitting area to see him bent over his desk, writing furiously with a pencil. He wore a black knit beanie, his hair sticking out from underneath, still dripping wet from his shower, a pair of basketball shorts, and nothing else.
I gave myself the pleasure of taking in the muscles of his back and I padded quietly through the room, telling myself I didn’t want to interrupt him, when what I really wanted was more time to watch him unnoticed.
He was truly a beautiful man. All long, lean, and tattooed … His appearance seemed effortless in its coolness, and his authenticity only made him more appealing.
Once I was close enough, I leaned down and placed my lips gently on his shoulder, my lips curving when he jumped at the contact.
“Sorry,” I said with a laugh. “I didn’t want to interrupt.”
He looked up with a grin, his green eyes struggling to focus on me after being so intent on the page.
“Hey,” he replied, then brought his hand up to cup the back of my head and lowered it so that our lips met.
The kiss was brief but effective, and I pulled away reluctantly.
“I brought food.”
“Awesome, just let me finish up and I’ll be right there.”
I nodded and retreated to the kitchen, where I began dishing up the Coconut Curry with rice.
I let him get a few bites in before I broached the subject that had been bugging me all afternoon.
&nb
sp; “Calla stopped by my office today…”
Brendan’s head shot up and he asked warily, “What about?”
“She’s suspicious about us, and was fishing around for conformation. She threatened to report us if she doesn’t beat you out for the job in France.”
“Calla threatened you?” he asked, putting down the fork as his eyes narrowed fiercely.
I ignored his question, instead focusing on the one that I wanted answers to. “Are you competing with her for the job?”
“Well, yeah,” Brendan answered with a frown. “At least, I was…”
“You were? Why past tense?” I asked, needing to know.
“Because the job’s in France,” he answered, telling what I already knew. “I learned a lot during the short period I was in France with Chef Agard, and thought it would be a great opportunity to work with him again, but I don’t want the job anymore. I don’t want to leave my family again,” he stated, then brought his hand up to caress my cheek and added, “And I don’t want to leave you. I told you, Freckles, I want to see where this thing between us is going, and I can’t do that in France. I can talk to Calla; if she knows I’m not interested in the position, she’ll back off…”
“No, don’t give her the satisfaction. We can’t give in to threats or blackmail, that’ll just fuel her on. If she gets the job fair and square, that’s one thing, but you can’t just hand it to her on a silver platter. I took care of her today, and will address the issue again when the need arises.”
“I love it when you talk like a teacher,” he said, leaning in to brush his lips against mine.
“It would be a great opportunity,” I said softly, feeling like I should encourage him to take it even if I didn’t want him to.
