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*
Chapter Eight
Stevie
“That could have gone better.”
I tipped my head to the side. “Um, yes, but I’m sure Jane will come around, though. I’m sure she’s jetlagged and needs a good night’s sleep in her bed.” That had to be it.
Yeah, that was right. Tony had no problem with Claus and me being together.
It was Jane who had a few qualms with it.
The main one was that she thought Claus was a player and was just going to hurt me like Paul had.
That was laughable to me and Claus, but obviously, Jane was still traumatized by Paul.
“Jane has loved me for as long as I’ve known her. Why does she suddenly hate me?” Claus grumbled. He headed in the direction of my house and threaded his fingers through mine. “I helped her plan Tony’s birthday party last year, and this is how she acts when she finds out you and I are together?”
He took a sharp right turn, and I gripped the door. “Um, I understand you being upset, but maybe you could try not to crash, yeah?” I giggled.
My phone rang, and I pulled it out, surprised to see Jane’s number. I connected the call and put the phone to my ear. “Did you forget a suitcase or something?”
“I’m sorry,” she blurted. “You just shocked the hell out of me, and I didn’t know what to do because I was prepared to have a blabbing and crying Stevie, not a happy and carefree Stevie. I’m the one who normally helps fix you, and this time you didn’t need me. So, it’s a me problem, not a you and Claus problem.”
“I have to say,” I sighed, “I knew you would eventually come around to Claus and me, but I didn’t think it would be before we got back to my house.”
Jane was silent for a beat. “You and Claus?” she asked. “I wasn’t dreaming that, right? I’m jetlagged as hell, and I wouldn’t doubt it if I am hallucinating.”
I laughed and squeezed Claus’ hand. “Me and Claus, Jane. Surprised the hell out of me, too, but it feels right.”
“Well, it’s not like you need to get to know him or anything. You’ve known him since you were eight and he was eleven,” she sighed.
“Well,” I drawled. “I didn’t know what he did for a living, so I guess there are some things we need to learn about each other.”
“Stevie,” Jane called. “How the heck did you not know he’s a private chef?”
I still didn’t know how I missed it, but I knew now there wouldn’t be a single detail about Claus that I didn’t know. “In my defense, I never thought Claus would ever look at me as more than Tony’s sister, okay? If I had known he was a private chef, I would have fallen in love with him years ago because you know how much I hate to cook.”
“The truth comes out,” Claus called. “She’s using me just to make her dinner for the rest of my life.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m going to go now, but you guys are still coming over on Christmas, right?” I asked.
“Don’t we always?” Jane asked.
“Just make sure you wear some comfy shoes. We’re going to be on our feet for a bit of the day.”
*
Chapter Nine
Stevie
“I should have known I would find you back here.”
Claus looked up from the ham he was carving and set his knife on the counter. “Oh, you think just because you’ve known me for twenty years, you know where to find me?”
I shook my head. “Actually, I only knew to find you back here because I started paying attention a week or so ago,” I smirked and stood on the opposite side of the table. “And also, one of the other volunteers said they got kicked out of the kitchen by some grumpy chef.” I tipped my head to the side. “I knew that had to be my Claus. Jane and Tony just took off, so I thought I would find my grumpy chef.” I smiled wide and snatched a small piece of ham off the carving board.
