Page 56 of Sunrise

God. Damn.

I lift his chin so he’ll look at me. “You’re incredible, Knox.”

“So are you.” His voice is groggy and deeper than normal. “Thank you for this… Sunrise.”

Chapter 18

Knox

It’s been five days since my best birthday weekend ever came to an end. I haven’t reached out to Vault or Sophie at all. It’s not that I don’t want to see them, but I’ve got a life outside the club, and responsibilities, and, honestly, I’m a little fucked in the head about what to do next.

Am I supposed to wait for them to contact me? Go back to “normal” and act like Vault and I didn’t have a glimpse of something wonderful again? Should I fuck Sophie at the club so he can watch and want to join? The last thing I want is to push him too hard too fast, so I’ve been chillaxing as best I can. We’ve texted occasionally this week, like always, but nothing special. He hasn’t brought up what we did and neither have I. Maybe this weekend was a one off.

“Damnit!” I rip the flaming pan from the stovetop and slam a lid on it.

Tristan side-eyes me but keeps his mouth shut. Smart. I’m not in a mood to be called out on the fact that I just charred simple bananas foster. Oh, the humility. I swear to fucking god I need to get my head back on straight if I’m going to amount to anything.

“Chef?”

I turn to see Mila, my newest hire, staring at melike a sheep would a wolf. “Yeah?”

“Umm.” Her cheeks quickly turn red. “There’s been a complaint about your dish.”

I know damn well she didn’t say what I think she just said. “What?”

“There’s a complaint about your dish.”

“I heard you the first time,” I grumble. “What, who, and where?” Because they can suck my big, fat dick. I wouldneverserve a fucked-up dish. And if I find out Tristan has, I’ll kill him.

She points behind her at the door. “Table nine.”

Hold up. Tablenine?

I leave the kitchen like my ass is on fire and find Sophie sitting in the booth reserved for family only, sipping her chardonnay with a shit-eating grin on her face. My fury fades instantly. Gathering my calm, cool, collective vibes, I swagger over chill as a cucumber.

“I knew that would get you out here in a hurry.” She rests her glass on the table beside a small plate of calamari with spicy marinara dip that’s barely been touched.

“You could just come into the kitchen to see me.”

“And miss an opportunity to get you all fired up? Never.”

My gaze drops to her appetizer again. I pluck one and eat it to make sure it’s tender and not chewy. Mmm. Pretty good. Tristan nailed it.

“So did you come here to start shit, or is there a problem?”

Sophie tilts her head to the side and studies me. “Why does there need to be a problem for me to want to see you?”

Hmm. Let’s see. Because she never just drops by for no good reason. Not by herself, at least. And everyone comes to me with their problems. I swear I should have been a fucking therapist.

“So, nothing’s wrong?” I cock my brow at her. “You just came to say hi.”

She picks her glass up again and swirls it. “I came because I miss you.”

My heart kind of swoons. She’s never said anything like that to me before. Why now?

“And…” She flashes a coy smile. “I was hoping you could give me a recommendation for a spicy audiobook.”

“Oh, now Iknowyou’re fucking playing.” I sit back and tap the table with my thumb, irritated. Her gaze immediately falls to it, and I stop.

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