Page 36 of Feels Like Home

“Yeah,” I nod my head and shift so I’m facing the TV, oddly fascinated about watching zombies take over theworld.

11

Christine

I’m at Balance,goingover what I needed with James to get my part of the kitchen set up the way we both need it. He had asked me to head up the desserts once he opened his new restaurant, and considering it’s right next door to Dreamin’ Beans, it works perfectly. I could make some of the desserts that didn’t need to be fresh over at my place and train his chefs on how to make the rest. I think what I love the most about Balance is the fact that it’s kind of a fusion restaurant. A combination of the southern foods James’s dad grew up with, and the Italian and Asian meals he’s learned to cook over theyears.

I just finished taking measurements and wrote down everything for James and took a picture of it to keep in my phone, when I hear movement coming from the front that will soon be the dining area. I glance up just as Andy walks into the kitchen, covered in sweat and dust, white t-shirt pulled tight across his chest. Brown leather tool belt hanging low on his hips, well-worn jeans slung low beneath the belt. Dark brown work boots cover his feet, and a bright smile spreads across his face when he sees me. Even from where I’m standing, I can see a hint of red between his molars, the cinnamon gum he seems to be addicted to chewing making anappearance.

He lifts the hem of his shirt to wipe the sweat from his brow, and my mouth goes dry. I feel my jaw go slack and eyes widen. When he drops his shirt, he winks, letting me know he caught me staring but doesn’t seem to mind one bit. I smile, not giving in to the blush that is trying to creep up my neck. I’m grateful for my olive-toned skin in thatmoment.

“What are you doing here,cutie?”

“Cutie?”

“Well, I’d call you beautiful, but James already has that one covered with Carly. Or maybe I’ll start calling you gorgeous. Seems a little morefitting.”

Then I do blush. And I know it’s a deep shade of pink, given that his smile onlybroadens.

“So?” heprompted.

“Oh! Yeah. I’m just working on the dessert menu a little bit. Needed to do some measurements, make sure we had the space needed for the extra oven James isinstalling.”

He nods hishead.

“You got plans after this? Want to grab some dinner? I promised the boys I’d take them out to pizza. James recommended a place a couple townsover.”

I’m shaking my head to the first question before I even have a chance to realize what he’sasking.

“No, you don’t have plans, or no, you don’t want to come withus?”

He shifts his stance as he reaches around his back, removing the tool belt. Such a shame, too. Or maybe it’s better this way. It only added to his hotness for somereason.

“No, I don’t haveplans.”

“Pizzathen?”

And against my better judgment, this time I nod my head. Meanwhile, James is looking back and forth between us like we’re a tennis match, a shit eating grin covering his face. One he’s not even trying to hide. He should just pop himself some popcorn and settlein.

I grab my coat and Andy does the same, though he doesn’t put his on. When we both head for the back door at the same time and Andy places his hand on my back, James hollers, “Have fun, you guys! Don’t do anything I wouldn’tdo!”

“Son of a bitch,” Andy mutters. “Barrett’s going to be tweeting about thislater.”

If it wasn’t for the movement of his hand from my lower back to the base of my neck, squeezing slightly and the twinkle in his eye as I peered under my lashes at him, I would have been a little hurt by his statement, thinking that he was embarrassed to be seen with me. But my insecurities quickly get squished, understanding that it was a lighthearted statement about how Barrett is, rather than anything to do withme.

And hisactions?

Those speak much louder thanwords.

His constant affection, even though we aren’t officiallyanything.

His texts and wanting to be around me wheneverpossible.

His desire for the boys to know me and me to knowthem.

“I’ll follow you to your place to drop your car,okay?”

No room for argument, he’s already gently guiding me to mycar.

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