Page 31 of Wanting the Winger

“Hibiscus lemonade,” he says.“I remember you saying you love lemonade, and this stuff is phenomenal.”

I take a sip, then immediately have another.“That’s amazing.It’s sweet and tart at the same time.There’s like a cranberry flavor.”

“I’m obsessed.I drink about a half gallon a day.”

It’s around four thirty p.m., and busy staffers are coming in and out of the double doors that lead to the kitchen.One bartender is polishing the gleaming bar surface and another is lining up clean glass tumblers.

“Is this the prep time before it gets crazy?”I ask.

“Pretty much, but it’s nothing like Fridays and Saturdays.We seat people starting at four forty-five and we have a full house tonight.”

The scent of seasoned, grilled meat makes my stomach growl.I’m surprised when a server approaches our table and sets down a plate of dumplings, pinched perfectly and drizzled with a dark sauce.

“I’m having the kitchen bring us some snacks,” Harry says.

“Wow.”I look up at the server.“Thanks, this looks amazing.”

She grins.“Enjoy.Anything else right now, boss man?”

“I think we’re good.”Harry picks up a small plate and passes it to me.“Dig in.”

“This place is...”I shake my head.“I’m blown away, Harry.Seriously.You look like you’re still in your twenties, and I could try my whole life to create someplace like this and never even come close.”

“That’s very kind, thank you.I’m thirty-two.And I don’t remember if I told you I actually sold this place last year.Part of the deal was that I stay on as executive chef for two years.”

I serve myself a dumpling, steam rising from it as I cut into it.“So what’s your plan after that?Or have you even decided?”

“I’m opening another restaurant.The two years were to help transition, but also for noncompete reasons.I think my next one will be an Asian sushi, ramen, wood-fired pizza mashup.”

“Oh, hell yeah.I’d be all over that.”

“Right?I could live entirely on sushi.”

My first bite of the dumpling makes me moan softly.It’s divine—tender, perfectly seasoned beef, onions and carrots with a savory and sweet sauce.“That’s orgasmic.”

He smiles widely, pleased.“My sous came up with that recipe.It’s a new one.She’ll be thrilled you like it.”

“Like it?I could eat about thirty-five of these.”

He laughs.“I just love you.You remind me so much of Mara and Suki.”

His compliment warms me.“Thank you.I adore all of you.Without you guys, I’d have nothing here but my work at the lab.”

Harry is able to arch just one brow.I’d look ridiculous trying to do that.

“I mean, we’ll take all your free time, but what about Bash?And your fiancé?He’s not far away, right?”

I heave out a sigh.“It’s kind of a situation.”

“Is it something you want to talk about?”

“Sure, I don’t mind.”

“The rest of the Smartinis will be here by five for our pregame drinks and snacks sesh.Do you want to wait and tell all of us at once?”

God, it would be nice to find out what they all think.I’m so tired of running over it in my head and never really figuring anything out.“Yeah, sure.”

“You need a shot to loosen you up?”

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