Page 62 of The Family Man

“Produced?” her cute eyebrows come together.

“Um, they make mint oil from the leaves. Taste it.” I pick another leaf and give it to her. There is no harm.

She puts the leaf in her mouth. “Yummy.”

Nikhil walks over to us with the pastry chef behind him. He is holding two small plates of puffs and small cupcakes.

My pastry chef places one in front of me, “I am guessing this is not for me.”

“Nope, it’s for the future bosses.” He nods and walks away.

I take the plates out to the dining room and seat them both at the back booth.

I settle them in, and they eat, their little legs are pumping under them.

Levi my sou chef walks in, with his red hair peeking out from under his chef hat.

“There is a pretty lady that came to the back door asking for you. I let her in the kitchen.”.”

I frown. “Is it a new supplier?”

“No, chef, she is not.”

I look at my kids. “Don’t move, I will be back.”

I got up and walked through the kitchen. A blonde in a pair of jeans and a grey sweater leans on my stainless counter.

I groan when I realize who it is. “Emily? What do you want?”

“A girl can’t check in on her man?” She walks toward me and touches my white chef coat. I instantly remove her hand.

“Emily, I am not your man!” She’s aggravating me, I can feel the rage building up.

She laughs like I am giving her a joke “Okay, so you are still in your phase.” She flings her hand out like he is speaking of something trivial.

“Phase?”

“Yes, darling, the Black girl phase.” She giggles.

“What the fuck are you—”

“Zac?” I turn around and Poppy and Nikhil come around the steel table.

“I told you not to move! GO SIT BACK DOWN!” My voice is hard, but I need them far away from this psycho.

“Oh, nonsense.” She brushes past me “Hi I’m Emily, you can call me Em.” She puts her hand out.

Poppy looks at it, then me, pouts and leaves Em hanging. “Come on Nik let’s go finish eating.”

She grabs her brother’s hand, gives me the stink eye then turns and leaves. That’s my baby.

The door swings back and forth from their departure.

Emily straightens. “She is a little rude, but that can be fixed.”

Grabbing her by the arm I lead her to the back door where the supplies come in. “Let me make myself fucking clear, come near my family again and you will regret it.”

I shove her out and close the door.

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