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“Maybe you can use some of that free time with this girl of yours.”
I glared. There was an edge of jealousy in her voice, but I knew she was also serious. “My dating life is none of your business anymore, Katie.”
Her face fell, and she nodded. “I know that. I just want you to be happy.”
“I am happy.”
She smiled, but it was half-hearted.
The kids came rushing back with their bags and I took that as an opportunity to escape. “See you Monday,” I said.
“Can we see Miss Harper?” Molly asked.
I cringed. When I looked at Katie, she wore a knowing smile.
“Take care of your daddy for me,” she called after them.
“We know,” Billy yelled over his shoulder.
I couldn’t help wondering if they were all right as I got the kids buckled into their seats. Maybe I did need to get Harper off my mind. The kiss had only intensified the distraction, but maybe all I needed was a more extreme release. Maybe I needed to fuck her out of my system.
But now she was trying to earn a spot as a chef at Gramps’ inn. Sleeping with her would only complicate matters. I couldn’t afford to hire the wrong person just because I liked fucking her.
I let out a heavy breath as I sank into the driver seat and pulled the door closed. What a fucking mess.
“Miss Harper said she’d give me some ponies,” Molly said once I was in my seat. “Can we go ask if they’re ready?”
“Miss Harper is coming over to cook something for me tomorrow. You can ask her then,” I said.
And I decided I would at least wait until I’d tasted her menu. If she earned the job, it wouldn’t matter what happened between us after the fact. Besides, we could keep it casual, couldn’t we?
I ran my thumb across my lip as my thoughts turned over and over. Something told me I was getting ready to make a series of very stupid decisions, but it felt too late to change any of it. One way or another, this whole thing was going to come to a head.
17
HARPER
Greyson and the kids helped me unload my supplies from the back of Rose. The kids were carrying bags of produce into the inn while Greyson stopped, giving my car a severe look.
“You drive this?” he asked.
“Yes, why?”
“When was the last time you had a mechanic look at it?” he walked around and gave one of the tires a kick. The whole car shuddered from the impact. Greyson’s face screwed up in disgust. “It looks like it’s about to fucking fall apart. You can’t drive this.”
“I can and I will,” I snapped. Rose was my baby. A neglected baby, maybe. But she was still my baby, and I’d drive her until she gave out on me.
“At least have someone look at it. You could get hurt driving this thing.”
“What, are you worried?” I asked. I caught myself twirling some of my hair in my finger and stopped. Don’t flirt, Harper.
Greyson paused, running his tongue across his lips. “If you earn this job, I need to make sure you’re alive. A dead chef isn’t going to bring my grandfather’s business back to life.
I picked up a pile of pots and pans I needed from the trunk and walked inside without a word. Asshole.
I heard the trunk close from outside and Greyson followed me in with the rest of the food. The kids were playing catch with an onion.
“What is this?” Molly asked. “It looks like a grandpa apple.”
I laughed. “It’s an onion. You probably wouldn’t like it.”
“They give you bad breath,” Billy said.
“Ew,” Molly pinched her nose and set it carefully on the counter.
Greyson set the bags down and rubbed the back of his neck, clearly brewing over what he’d said outside. “Alright, you two, go play upstairs. Miss Harper needs to focus, and I need to watch.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. “You’re going to just watch?”
“I’m trying to decide if you’re the right fit for the job.”
“Wouldn’t that depend on the food more than how I look cooking it?”
“I’m going to watch,” he said more firmly.
I lowered my eyes. Okay, Mr. Bossy. “Fine,” I said. “But this may be boring.”
“I doubt that.” Greyson seemed to realize what he said a moment later. He cleared his throat. “I need to see how you handle yourself in the kitchen. It’s not just about the final product.”
“Oh?” I asked. “If you really wanted to evaluate me, you’d step in as my assistant to see how I manage a staff.”
“Good idea,” Greyson said. He rolled up his sleeves and stepped closer. “Where do we start?”
I smiled, then my face fell when I realized he wasn’t kidding. “You’re serious?”
He tilted his head and gave a half smile. When he forgot to be cranky, my heart was on overdrive. Those damn smiles of his threatened to melt me down to my core. “Okay, well… Do you know how to julienne?”
