Page 1 of Hot Hearts
Chapter One
SLATER
This is probably going to make a bad situation worse, but that still doesn’t stop me from ordering a dirty martini. I have never had one before, but in the movies the girls order them when they’ve had a shit day, and I’ve had a shit week. Maybe I should have made it extra dirty even though I don’t know what that means.
The bartender places the drink down in front of me before moving on to the next patron at the bar. It’s not that busy, which is surprising being it’s a hotel bar, but there is a decent crowd. I pull out my phone and take a picture of the cocktail.
It’s a habit, I suppose. Except I typically review food. There will often be a wine pairing, but I'm not very knowledgeable about wine. No, that is what my now ex specialized in. He’s a sommelier and claims to know everything about wine, but he also thinks he knows everything about freaking everything. It’s charming at first, but it wears on your nerves after a while.
Once upon a time I would listen to him ramble on or try not to get my feelings hurt when he'd correct what I said. I was so stupid. Naïve, really. I only have myself to blame. I should haveknown better when he slid into my DMs only to then slide right into my best friend’s vagina.
I pick up my martini and take a sip. It burns all the way down.
"That bad?" a man asks, taking the seat next to mine at the bar. When I turn my head, my heart drops. Not only because the man is beyond handsome, but I know who he is. I've been trying to get into his restaurant back home for a few months now. The Plate is the hottest reservation these days.
I'm a food critic, but I try my best to go to restaurants without them knowing that I'm coming, which can make it harder to get into places. How the hell did I end up at the same hotel and bar as Brooks Neal? Neither of us lives here.
I shamelessly know way too much about the man, but that still isn't a ton. Believe me, I’ve tried all my usual tactics to learn about the newest top chef, but they haven’t panned out. While Brooks is a big deal and everyone knows who he is in the foodie world, he is fairly absent on social media. The only time you can get some details on him is when he does a random article or TV appearance to promote a new restaurant.
Oh, and the occasional gossip you might hear, which I try and pay no mind to. The internet can take a tiny detail and make it bigger than it is. Basically, do anything to create a more compelling narrative and story, and people will eat it up, whether it’s all fiction or not.
Damn, it's going to suck when word gets out about my ex and me.
"It's strong," I admit, while taking in every inch of Brooks. He's bigger in person. People generally hate to hear that, but it's not a bad thing when it comes to him. A person should really have no right to be this handsome, and that's not a filter over him either. Every inch of Brooks is all him, from his sun-kissed brown hair to his dark green eyes and lickable physique. I wishhe was on the menu for me to try.Wow, Slater, get it under control.
"How about I try it?" he offers as he signals for the bartender to come over. The bartender offers Brooks the wine menu, but he turns it down.
That makes him even hotter. He really is the opposite of my ex in every way. Felipe would have already given you a full rundown about all he knows when it comes to wine and would be in the middle of criticizing the menu to the bartender. I want to kick my own ass for putting up with him for so long.
That was always so embarrassing. My best friend Sara said it was hot how much he knew.
Maybe that should have been a red flag, but I was new-ish to the whole making friends thing when Sara came into my life.
“I’ll have what the lady is having. Thank you,” he says to the bartender. Hot and polite. I would have never guessed. Usually chefs of his caliber tend to be dismissive and rude once they get a taste of success.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I take another sip of my drink, trying not to make a face as I force it down. Next time I’m going to try to stick to one of those girly pink concoctions instead of this.
“Damn, that is rough,” Brooks agrees. “I should stick to cooking with my vodka.”
“Vodka sauce is one of my favorites.”
“Really?” Brooks turns to fully face me.
“I bet I could drink it faster than this.” I take another sip of the drink. “Though the more you drink it, the easier it gets.”
“Let me test the theory.” Brooks smirks, taking another sip. “I think you’re on to something.” I’m not understanding the rumors of him being cold and robotic. I’m not getting that vibe at all from him. “I’m Brooks.” He holds out his hand.
“I know who you are.” When our hands connect, I suck in a breath at the spark of desire that rushes through me. The way Brooks' brow lifts makes me wonder if he felt it too. “I’m Slater.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Slater.” His thumb drifts back and forth against my wrist, not letting my hand go. My body is reacting to his touch in a way that I can’t explain. “Where are you from?”
“Same place as you.” I wonder why he’s here, but I don’t want to be nosy and ask.
“So it will be easy to see you again.”
“Already shooting for a second date?” I tease. “Not that this is a first date,” I quickly add.Real sly, Slater. This is why I have only had one boyfriend in my whole life, and I’m not sure I can label him that, honestly. He used me, and I see that now. I won’t let that happen again.
“I am,” he says without hesitation. I take another sip of my drink to hide the giant smile that breaks across my face. Brooks takes another drink too.
