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“Time off has been hard to come by,” I admit.
“Let’s say you came to New York with me for a couple of weeks. I realize that for you, that’s a twenty-four-seven commitment. You could have the following week off.”
I arched my brows with surprise. An entire week off? It sounded too good to be true.
“You’ve got all the negotiating power here, Shea,” he said. “There are many chefs I could hire, but the only one I want is you. So tell me what it’s going to take.”
I knew exactly how Keller liked his filet mignon cooked, and he raved about my eggs benedict, but I’d never realized food meant this much to him.
“How many people would I be cooking for?”
“Most of the time, just me and my two assistants. Sometimes I entertain, though, especially when I’m in New York. I’d say usually, those nights would be around twelve people, but as many as fifty at times. And, of course, you could always hire as much help as you need.”
The thought of not being responsible for three meals a day, seven days a week, for hundreds of people was appealing. What had started as a challenge had worn me out over the years I’d been doing it.
“Shea!”
I turned to see Spencer running toward me. When he got to me, I had just enough time to open my arms for his hug.
“Hey, Spence, how are you?”
“Good. Where have you been? I haven’t seen you.”
My heart rate kicked up as I saw Holt and Marley approaching behind Spencer. Questions swirled in my head, but of course, this wasn’t the time.
“I’ve been working, but you know you can stop by the kitchen anytime,” I told Spencer.
“Shea, I caught a fish!” Marley said. “It was wiggly.”
Holt met my gaze, putting a hand on Spencer’s shoulder.
“Guys, we’re interrupting.”
“Not at all,” Keller said. “What brings the Sellers family to 3Bs today?”
“Story time,” Holt said.
A handful of children were gathered on a big rug in the book section of the store.
“And cookies.” Marley looked up at her dad. “You said we could get cookies.”
“Let’s go pick them out,” Holt said, giving me a long glance that made my heart squeeze. “See you guys later.”
Once they were out of earshot, Keller cleared his throat, his expression turning serious.
“I hope I’m not out of line for asking, but are you and Holt seeing each other?”
Were my feelings that obvious? I forced myself to maintain a neutral expression as I answered.
“No. He and his kids are staying at The Moose, so I’ve gotten to know them, but we’re not involved.”
“I have to be honest with you, Shea. I heard you and Holt were at The Hideout with Grady and Avon recently and that’s why I extended my offer to you.”
I furrowed my brow, confused. “What does that have to do with a job offer?”
I’d never seen Keller look flustered until this moment. He met my eyes across the table.
“Part of the reason I’ve tried so hard to get you to come work for me is because I’m interested in you. I very much hope that spending more time together could lead to...a relationship for us.”
