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ChapterTwo
Peyton
I finish closing down the kitchen, putting away the last of the dishes. I know I’m just stalling for more time though. I can’t believe that I invited Hunter Ellis to stay with me.
I had heard of him, of course. He’s a bit of a legend in South Carolina, especially Charleston. His restaurants in Charleston are all upscale places. He has Lolita, his 5-star Tapas place, Isabella, his Michelin star Italian restaurant, Fleur, the French restaurant that just opened last year and already has a waiting list six months out, and Top Hat, his upscale southern restaurant.
He’s famous for finding the perfect chef for each place. He’s a master at designing the hippest places in just the right spot of the city. People rave about his restaurants and how eating at one is like a religious experience. Harley and I have always wanted to try one of his places but we’ve been a little strapped for cash since starting our own restaurant.
I had seen his picture once with one of the reviews for his new place but nothing prepared me for just how hot he is in real life. He’s got dark black hair that’s a little too long and is starting to curl over his ears. His blue eyes have been locked on me all night and I hate to admit it, but I love looking up and seeing him checking me out. My eyes were checking him out too. He’s what my generation would call thick. He’s got a wide chest and strong arms. His trim waist leads down to strong thighs that are encased in tight denim.
I try to shake the image of the denim-covered bulge between his legs as I look around the kitchen one last time. I turn off the kitchen lights and double-check that the back door is closed and locked before I make my way back out to the dining area.
I’ve got a little bit more weight than most girls and I’m not used to guys looking at me with so much hunger in their eyes. I spend most of my time in the kitchen anyway so I haven’t had a lot of time to meet any guys. I’ve always been focused on my dreams with Harley and I never bothered to date in high school. Then, we bought the café and things have been crazy ever since.
I rub my eyes as I push my way out to face Hunter. Harley has been gone on her honeymoon for two days and I’m already exhausted at trying to keep up with everything. Don’t get me wrong, I’m so happy that Harley finally got her man. She’s been obsessed with Cooper since we were fourteen and I’m thrilled that she finally caught him. I’ve seen the way they are together and they both make each other so happy. I will admit that seeing my best friend in a relationship while I’m all alone, has me feeling a little jealous but I know that one day my knight in shining armor will come.
Harley and Cooper had offered to wait until we could hire another chef but I didn’t want to make them wait any longer. We might never slow down enough for them to take off and I figured that since it was the offseason, I would be ok.
I just hate to wake up early. Harley loves it and I’m used to her having the morning shifts and getting all of the baking out of the way for the day. Now, with her gone, I have to get up extra early to get everything done for the day and it’s already starting to catch up to me.
I yawn as I wave for Hunter to follow me to the door.
“Ready to go home?” I ask.
“Absolutely.” He says.
We both walk outside, huddling under the awning while I close and lock the front door. I find my car key and I point to where it is parked, a couple of spots away from the front door. He nods back before he grabs my hand with his and we sprint through the rain towards it.
My car is older and doesn’t have a remote key fob so I have to insert the key in the door to open it. We’re both soaked by the time that I finally get the car unlocked and we both make it inside. I crank the engine and turn the heat on blast to try to dry us out a little bit.
My house is only a block and a half away from the restaurant and normally, I would have walked or ridden my bike to work. I’m glad that I ended up driving today or I would have had to try to make it home in this weather.
Usually, it’s only a three-minute drive home from the café. There’s no traffic tonight, everyone is sheltered inside to escape this weather. It’s windy out though and I’m having a hard enough time keeping the car in between the lines on the road. The rain is coming down in sheets too and I can barely see past the end of the car. What should have been a three-minute drive ends up taking fifteen but I finally pull up in front of my little yellow house.
I had lived here with Harley for all of six months and now that she’s living with Cooper the house seems too big and empty by myself. I’ve been thinking about finding a roommate or something so that I’m not always coming home to an empty house every night. Plus, it would help with paying the bills.
I park the car in the driveway and look over to Hunter. He’s trying to see the house through the rain but it’s too dark to make out much.
“Ready to run?” I ask as I grip the car door handle.
“Yeah, let’s go.” He says with a smile.
We both throw our doors open and take off for the front porch. I jam the key into the door and turn and we both tumble inside, shaking raindrops off our clothes and hair as we go. I reach over and turn some of the lights on as Hunter closes and locks the door. The house isn’t much, just two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a small living room but I never needed anything big or fancy.
I see Hunter looking around and I wonder what he sees. He’s probably used to five-star hotels and mansions. He follows me further into the house and I lead him down the hallway.
“This room is empty. There’s an attached bath if you want to take a shower or anything.” I say as I push open Harley’s old bedroom door.
“I’ll grab you some towels.” I say as I head back to my own bedroom and into the bathroom. I try my hardest to stop myself from picturing him naked in the shower. I wonder what he’ll sleep in tonight since he doesn’t have a change of clothes and I have to force the image of him sleeping naked in my bed from my head as I head back to where he’s waiting for me.
Get it together, Peyton.
