Page 124 of Only Mine
Saint crosses his arms, forearm muscles flexing. “Yeah, I’m Saint.”
“Brenda Chu.” She extends a manicured hand that Saint takes. I am beyond thankful when her expression doesn’t give away her likely realization that this isthereclusive, hot chef she’d been pushing me toward from the beginning. “Pleasure.”
Thank god for professionalism.
“Brenda!” I jump in. “What are you doing here? You said next week.”
Brenda releases Saint’s hand and turns to me with a genuine smile. “That was before your last video went viral and Vita-Beauty wanted to move up the timeline of their offer.”
For reasons I can’t explain, heat spreads up my neck at her blunt explanation of my success in front of Saint. I don’t know why. He’s never given any indication that he looks down on my profession, but I can’t shake the feeling of inadequacy in front of his sheer charisma and talent, even when he’s not in the kitchen.
“Did it? I haven’t checked the numbers lately.”
“I figured. That’s why I’m here.” Brenda wraps me in a fragrant hug, and as one of the only people I’ve truly connected with during the rise of my career, I relax in her embrace and return it fully.
She says over my shoulder, “Would you mind if I borrowed her for a bit? Girl talk.”
“Sure thing. I have to go pick up my kid, anyway.”
Brenda and I pull apart in time for Saint and me to exchange a quick, loaded look with each other before he disappears into the the hallway.
Brenda immediately grabs my arm, yanking my attention away from his perfect ass and back to her.
“Jesus, Wren,” she whispers, eyes wide. “When you said you were staying in someone’s guesthouse, you didn’t mention it was attached to six feet of walking tattoo art with the face of a dark fae lord.”
“Yeah, I might’ve left that out…”
Brenda pushes her lips to the side and squints at me. “You’ve been hiding shit from me, and that’s okay, but now you need toconfess, girl.”
“At least let me do it with pants on.”
“Fine. I’ll let you collect yourself. I noticed a cute café on the way to this gorgeous place. Lucy something?”
“Libby Jude’s.”
“Yes, that! I’ll meet you there in…” She looks me up and down. “An hour? I think you need an hour.”
“An hour would be great,” I say, relieved. “I should probably shower.”
“And remove the evidence of fucking that man senseless?” Brenda’s perfect eyebrow arches at the same time my mouth opens in horror. “Honey, your neck looks like that man turns into a sexy vampire at night.”
My hand flies to my throat.
“Save it for brunch.” She spins, hips swaying toward the door. “I want all the dirty details over mimosas. And you’re paying since you’ve been holding out on me. Oh, and bring that the raw footage of your chef’s hands. I want to see what’s got our engagement rates through the roof.”
After she leaves, I sink against the wall, exhaling slowly. Saint emerges from the hallway, now fully dressed in jeans and a T-shirt that hugs his chest in ways that should be illegal before noon.
“So that’s your agent,” he says, voice carefully neutral.
“That’s Brenda.” I run a hand through my tangled hair. “Professional bulldozer, expert manipulator, lover of spicy fantasy novels, and apparently an amateur locksmith.”
“You two seem close.”
“She’s been with me since the beginning. Stuck around when a lot of others bailed.” I glance at the front door. “Though I might reconsider our relationship now that I know she can break into houses.”
Saint’s mouth curves. “Your friend’s got skills.”
“Oh please. You’re just impressed because she didn’t flinch when faced with your morning scowl.”
