Chapter 20
The lunch rush was in full swing when I stepped out of the kitchen to check the floor. The restaurant was alive the way just the way I liked it. Servers gliding between tables, low conversation mixing with the soft jazz playing overhead. I scanned the room out of habit, checking on timing, flow, making sure everything was hitting the way it needed to. That’s when I saw her.
Gianna stood just inside the entrance, one hand resting lightly on the door as her eyes moved around the space, taking everything in. She looked effortless. Soft. Pretty as hell in a sundress with her hair pulled up and dark shades resting on top of her head.
For a second, I just stood there, blinking making sure she was real. Then I was moving.
“Gianna?” I called, a smile already pulling at my mouth.
Her head turned and that smile hit me—warm, a little mischievous. “Hey, handsome,” she said.
I let out a quiet laugh as I walked up to her, still a little surprised. “What are you doing here, beautiful?”
She shrugged one shoulder, casual as ever. “I was in the area and figured I’d stop by. That okay?”
“Yeah, it’s more than okay,” I said quickly, probably a little too quick. I ran my hand down the back of my neck, grinning. “You just… caught me off guard, that’s all.”
“I can leave if you're busy,” she teased, already turning slightly like she might head back out.
I reached for her hand, stopping her. “Nah,” I said, tightening my grip just a little. “You not going anywhere. Come here.” I pulled her into my arms, hugging her tightly. "I'm glad you're here." We pulled back.
She looked up at me, that same soft smile playing on her lips. “I wanted to see you,” she said quietly.
My heart fluttered. I took her hand, kissed the top softly. "Thank you for coming." Lacing my fingers in hers, I smiled. "Since you're here, let me show you around." I led her further inside, the energy of the restaurant shifting as a couple of my staff clocked me bringing someone through.
I guided her toward the back. “You ever been in a kitchen during service?”
She shook her head. “Nope.”
“Alright,” I said, pushing the door open. “Brace yourself.”
The second we stepped in, the heat wrapped around us, along with the sound of sizzling pans and voices calling out times.
“Behind!”
“Corner!”
“Two scallops walking!”
Gianna’s eyes widened slightly as she took it all in. She leaned closer to me, curious. “This is crazy,” she said under her breath.
“You should see dinner service,” I replied, a little proud.
A few of my chefs glanced up when they saw me bring her through. I caught the looks. Curiosity. Respect. A couple smirks.
I nodded toward them. “Y’all focus,” I said, but there was no bite to it. I turned back to her. “This is where the magic happens.”
She looked at me, then back at the kitchen, then back at me again. “I can see that,” she said softly.
Before I could respond, my manager Sheila stepped in. She paused when she noticed Gianna and our hands interlocked. A smile crossed her lips quickly before she spoke. “Tasha just called in. She's sick. We're short on the floor so I'm going to fill in.”
I frowned slightly, glancing out toward the dining room. “That’s not ideal,” I muttered.
“I can help,” Gianna piped up.
I looked back at her. “You what?”
She smiled. “I can help. I’ll fill in.”