Page 37 of Only You

Declan held out his hand and waited. Eileen didn’t hesitate, anticipation simmering within her. She might not like surprises, but she was always curious to discover things. And that included what was going on tonight.

There were two doors in the back of the restaurant. One was clearly for the kitchen because of the signs about deliveries. He unlocked the other door and held it open for her.

As she stepped inside, she blinked.

“Oh, damn, I meant to leave the light on.”

Declan stepped around her, his arm brushing against her, his tantalizing scent wrapping around her. Eileen fought the need to lean closer and get a bigger sniff. The light let her see the stairs to her left. She looked back over her shoulder.

“I take it we go up the stairs?”

He nodded. She started up the stairs and thought she heard a groan behind her. Frowning, she continued on. When they reached the top floor, she stepped into an apartment. It was more like a loft with an open floor plan. There was a bank of windows that looked out on the street below. There were plants everywhere, some herbs and some regular plants. As she stepped into the space further, she noticed the oversized leather sectional. Pictures littered every surface, from the credenza and side tables to the walls. His family was there for everyone to see. This area probably got fantastic morning light since the windows faced east.

As she turned, she noticed a door against the one wall and assumed it was the bedroom. Also, something smelled…amazing. And she knew it wasn’t from downstairs. It smelled like…

“I heard that you like spaghetti and meatballs.”

She glanced over at him and blinked. “I do. Who did you hear that from?”

“I do not reveal my sources. I need to start some water going on the stove, then we can get some wine and go upstairs.”

“Upstairs?”

He nodded to the far left of the room. There was another staircase.

“Can you drink?”

“Yeah, I’m supposed to be off tomorrow.”

“Are you okay with a cab? It will go best with the red sauce.”

She snorted. “Yeah. I’m not about to say no to the chef who knows how to pair food with drink.”

He poured the wine. “Do you want to eat right now?”

“It smells like it’s almost done.”

“The sauce has been simmering all day. It’s the reason pasta was a good idea, it cooks fast. I also have some antipasto to eat.”

Her mouth watered. She loved Irish food but had a true love affair with Italian food. So much so that she had an Italian trip savings. She planned to eat her way through Italy one noodle at a time. That is, if she could ever find the time to go.

“That sounds amazing.”

He pulled out a tray. “Grab your drink, and we can go upstairs.”

“I had no idea you lived up here.”

“Not a lot of people do,” he said. “The employees know not to tell anyone. At first, I did it because of the savings. When I opened the restaurant, I had to sink all my money into it. I worked on the apartment, thinking I would rent it out later, but I like the idea of being so close to work. I don’t have to rush anywhere.”

The moment Eileen stepped onto the roof, she blinked again. It looked out over the city and to the harbor, lights sparkling in the dark night. He had set it up nicely, with a scattering of tables,one that had candles on it. Declan set the plate down on it and removed the plastic.

“This is amazing,” she said, looking around the area. A couch was on the far end, along with Edison lights strung overhead.

When he didn’t say anything, she faced him once more. Was he blushing? “The view or the food?”

“All of it,” she said with a laugh. “Now, watch me destroy this platter of food.”

Do not embarrass yourself.

---