ALAYNABrandon will be residing in Belltown while he’s in Seattle, so he told his estate manager to get a penthouse ready, and he’ll be checking it out in the morning while I work at the restaurant. He’s also meeting Simon Fanelli, a name I’ve already heard from Oliver before. And then tonight, we decided to go out on a date, so I asked Dennis to fill in since I needed to leave early today.
It’s Saturday, and the restaurant is full. Our hands have been moving nonstop since morning. Last week, we released the new menu with added dishes, and it’s always been hectic since then. The sounds of knives chopping on boards, roasting and the cracking of eggs fill the air.
“Don’t you think we need to add an assistant?” Rexy appears at my side and hands me the minced garlic, chopped onions, and scrambled tomatoes. Hastily, she moves back to her station and starts making a sauce. She’s usually in charge of pastes and spices.
“I asked Michael to post an ad on Indeed“Two applicants are coming in Monday,” he says, briefly stopping, then places the empty tray in the dishwasher.
“Are you fine with Monday?” Dennis asks me.
“I guess.” I shrug. “I’m only going out early today.”
Rexy lifts her head. “This date... This is the first time you had one in like, ever. Since Oliver, right?”
“Ollie and I are just friends, Rexy. How many times do I have to tell you?” I shake my hands in the air, chuckling. “And this guy I’m going out with later is his cousin.”
“Oh.” She smiles. “The old flame?”
“Not that old. We basically parted only five months ago.”
“And he’s here for a second chance?” she asks.
I laugh. “Yeah. It’s like that.”
“Someone’s getting laid tonight, then,” she remarks, and Dennis whistles.
“Good luck to the guy,” Michael jokes, and everyone laughs.
I roll my eyes. “Why, Michael? What’s wrong with me?”
“Nothing. You can be very hot-headed, you know?”
“I wasn’t always.” I sigh. “Well, who wouldn’t be when you’re still standing there and you’re supposed to get this out?” I’m referring to the food I just finished garnishing.
“See, see? That’s what I’m talking about.” Michael walks over to my station and grabs the tray. “And it’s already five,” he reminds me and marches out of the kitchen.
“I’m out.” I untie my apron.
“Good luck, boss!” Dennis says while holding his pan over the flaming stove. Rexy sends me a salute.
I walk to the dressing room and swiftly change into a shirt and jeans, then I go to the restroom to fix my hair and makeup. Shortly after, I exit via the dining area and walk past our guests. I see John in a tailored black suit—the man who was introduced to me as Oliver’s right-hand man. He’s standing next to the silver Mercedes parked outside the restaurant.
I smile widely at him. “John?”
The middle-aged man smiles back. “Good afternoon, Miss Hart.”
“How are you here?”
“Mr. Lucien asked for my service while he’s in the city.” He opens the door in the back. “Hop in, miss.”
“Thank you. It’s good to see you, John.” I slide inside, and my nostrils instantly fill with Brandon’s divine scent. Promptly he takes me in his arms and kisses my mouth. I shut my eyes and relish the moment.
“I missed you already,” he whispers between our lips.
I slightly pull away to search his gorgeous eyes. “Me too.”
“Nice place, you got here, love.” He looks out the window.
“Ollie got me this place.” I grin sweetly and stare at him. I run my fingers over his face, his manly-looking light stubble, and his delicious chiseled mouth. He’s looking magnificent as always in his navy-blue three-piece suit.
“What are you doing?” he asks gruffly.
“Looking at you. You’re beautiful...” I murmur.
A smirk plays on his lips. “Don’t look at me like that, or I’ll bend you over.”
I pat his shoulder, giggling. “Shh. John’s here.” I settle properly on my seat as John starts to pull off toward the road. “Actually, it’s because I can’t believe this is actually happening. You and me outside the world. This feels too normal.”
“Not what you want?” he teases.
“I love it!” I cry. “This still feels unreal, or maybe I was used to all the drama.” But before I fell asleep last night, I realized it’s also senseless to get riled up over the past and better to just focus on the current situation as quickly as possible.
“Don’t say that. We deserve this.” He pulls me to his side and kisses my temple. “Come on, I’ll take you to the penthouse.”
“How about dinner? I wasn’t dressed yet.”
“Hence the penthouse,” he says and studies me. “And you look very dressed His penthouse in Belltown is close to my restaurant. I am now standing in his enormous living room. I walk over to the glass wall with lively Seattle in the background. I stroll back and find the kitchen, where everything I need for cooking is provided. It takes me a few more minutes to admire the area.
“You don’t expect me to cook here for you, do you?” I sense him move behind me. I turn around and ogle his male beauty more. He’s already taken off his jacket.
He laughs as he opens a bottle of Chateau Ste Michelle. He pours the wine in a glass and hands it to me. I take a sip, and the wine is light, sweet, and delicious.
“This place is beautiful.” I walk to the door and step onto a very spacious patio. I lift my head to the orange skies and inhale the clean air. Brandon glides his arm over my waist while his other hand is holding a glass.
“And as to the question of when are you returning to New York? I mean, of course I don’t expect you to stay here permanently.” My voice is soft and hesitant.
“I need to leave in a week,” he admits. “But I’m staying here with you whenever I can. I promise to make more time for both of us. You can use the penthouse whenever you like. I got this especially for us.”
I smile. “I might as well live and use this to the fullest.” I turn and face him. “Are you sure about that? It’d be a hassle for you. You don’t have much business here in Seattle. Your life is in Manhattan.”
“My life is hereYou“Of course not. Of course, I want you here.” I study him, taking in every line and feature. I’ll never get over being dazzled by his perfect face. “I’ve given you every chance to stay away, but you keep coming back. I just don’t think it’s right for me to hold you captive here.”
“You can hold me anytime you want. I’ll give up everything for you, but I won’t give you up.”
He embraces me, and I embrace him back. I just fit perfectly against him. “I won’t give you up anymore either.”
He laughs. “But if you are worried, I have a solution.”
“You do?”
“Let’s get married, Alayna,” he says casually but decisively.
“What?” My heartbeat accelerates, and his words honestly make me want to rejoice, but I have to make sure he’s serious. “Are you proposing to me right now?”
“Maybe I am.” He laughs again, softly. “I’m serious, Alayna. I’m fed up with everything that happened to us. I can’t promise you that it would be easy, but if we have to face all of that again, we do it together. I can’t afford to have you make a reckless decision again and end up hurting us.”
“That’s it?”
He frowns. “What?”
I smile at him. “No ring or something?”
He lets out a rich chuckle, lifts me then squeezes me. “Think of this as a pre-proposal. But you deserve more, I know.”
“You’re enough, Brandon. You are more..“Is that a yes?”
“Not so fast.” I stroke his cheeks. “Of course I will marry you, Brandon. I can’t see myself sharing vows with anyone else but you. You have no idea how I dreamed about this. But I want it to happen with everyone around us. You know, Ollie, Cassius, and Casey... and my mother. She’s still so shocked.”
“Of course, love. I understand. We’ll take it slow. Might as well take you to where my mother was born.”
“So you’re taking me to Athens?” I grin and hold on to his shoulder.
“Oh, about that.” His eyebrows knit together. “I guess I forgot to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“It’s Ollie’s engagement in four weeks. He’s in New York now, but his fiancée’s family wants it to happen in Athens, and he wants me to be there.”
“And?”
He cocks his head. “I’m taking you with me, but only if you’re not busy.”
“Hey! Of course, I’ll come with you. Who knows when you’re coming back.”
“You don’t have to be afraid of that anymore. I’ll come back to you always, but yes, I did want to take you because I knew you would think that. Also to meet my family.” He slides his hands down to cup my buttocks. “But enough about that. I need to taste you.”
My breath catches in my throat as he presses his lips to mine softly. He snatches away my glass of wine and places it somewhere; I have no time to care.
“Now, let’s relish the moment, shall we?” He puts me down and holds out his arm to me, his eyes gleaming, eager, and... happy. I put my hand on it as he leads me to the bedroom.