Page 14 of Submission

“You’re looking for full-time work, right?” I ask her.

“Yes, I am.”

I raise an eyebrow. “And you’ve worked as a line cook before?”

“That’s right.”

“She’s great,” Billy adds eagerly, and it makes me wonder for a moment if this is someone Billy has had a romanticrelationship with. He’s not known for being particularly loyal to his girlfriend.

“Okay, let’s see what you can do. Billy is going to clear a counter for you, and you’re going to make two items from the menu and one dish of your own creation. Obviously, we’re a bar and grill, and we don’t have very sophisticated offerings, but we want our simple fare to taste good.”

She nods in understanding.

“Billy, bring the food to my office once it’s ready.”

“Gotcha.” Billy swings his arm over the young woman in what actually seems like a brotherly manner. “Lemme show you the menu, Lacy.”

I have some scheduling work to get done in my office, but when I walk in, Hunter is lounging on the couch, his phone to his ear.

“I see. Well, send me all those profiles, and I want you to drop by my office within the hour.” He pauses and then adds cooly, “Or I can always come to you.”

I quietly open my laptop, wincing at that tone. His words seem more like a threat than a casual offer.

When he ends the call, I ask, “What’re you doing here?”

“You’re always asking me that as if you want me to leave. It’s impolite.”

“We’re at work, Mr. Middleton.” I grin. “And we just saw each other. I’m just wondering if you need anything in particular. I was about to handle the schedule.”

“I need a lot of things.” He pats his leg as a signal for me to sit, and I narrow my eyes.

“No, thank you. The last time I sat in your lap, I had trouble walking the next day.”

I can tell that he’s about to say something dirty when I add, “I met the girl that Billy recommended. I told her to make somedishes for me to sample, so if you’re sticking around my office, you can try them, too.”

“I’ll stick around if you-“

“I’m not sitting on your lap, Hunter,” I scowl. “I’m at work just as are you. Go do something.”

He watches me from the couch, and when he doesn’t say anything for a few long seconds, I wonder if I’ve finally managed to piss him off.

“You’re giving me whiplash. One minute, you’re shivering in my arms, and the next, you’re bossing me around.”

“I’m not bossing you around.” I give him an indignant look. “And look who’s talking! Talk about whiplash. Have you ever met you?”

“Yeah, but Iamthe boss.”

“I wonder why that line comes out of your mouth whenever it’s convenient for you?”

“It’s not that I say it because it’s convenient. I say it because it’s facts.”

I roll my eyes defiantly.

“Do you realize if you’re nice to me, you might get a raise?” He smirks suggestively at me. “That’s the perk of having a special relationship with the boss.”

I give him a dirty look. “Thanks. That really validates the nature of our relationship.”

He grins harder, loving the banter between us, and I must admit that I love being the one responsible for his smiling. It’s the side of him that he only shows when we’re alone, and somehow, that feels really special to me. I don’t think he smiles this much with Vaughn and Christian. At least not that I’ve seen.

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