Chapter 24

‘Let’s kick off with the hors d’oeuvres,’ I begin. ‘Bacon-wrapped scallops, as requested by Luca. We’ll add a touch of maple glaze for a sweet and smoky finish.’

The kitchen is abuzz as Allie and I gear up for the exclusive dinner tonight. We’ve meticulously designed a five-course meal that’s both modern and tantalizing and hopefully up to the snuff of Luca and his crew.

Allie deftly wraps each plump scallop with bacon, her hands steady and sure. ‘Hope they like this.’

‘They better. And let’s keep the surprises coming,’ I reply, sharing a conspiratorial grin with her.

As we dive into the intricate dance of dinner preparation, Allie and I find ourselves working shoulder-to-shoulder, the proximity intensifying the electric charge between us. I’m trying to concentrate on the meticulous tasks at hand—perfecting the bacon-wrapped scallops and adjusting the aioli drizzle—yet I find myself repeatedly drawn to her. Her fragrance, a subtle mix of her shampoo and the faint scent of citrus fills my senses, distracting me in a way that no other woman has before.

I catch myself watching her a little too intently as she laughs softly while adjusting the appetizer. Our eyes meet, and the corner of her mouth twitches upwards in a playful smirk.

‘Careful, Chef,’ she teases. ‘You might end up burning something.”

I chuckle, shaking my head slightly to clear the distraction. ‘Just making sure everything is perfect,’ I reply, though we both know my focus had drifted from the food.

I lean in slightly, lowering my voice. ‘Speaking of perfect, I’ve been thinking about our last experiment,’ I say, the memory of our recent exploration into BDSM making her cheeks flush a delightful shade of pink.

Her eyes light up with mischief, and a playful grin spreads across her face. ‘Well, if tonight is a hit, we’ll definitely need to celebrate,’ she suggests.

I match her grin, feeling a surge of anticipation. ‘You’re on,’ I reply.

As Allie and I finish prepping the last of the hors d’oeuvres, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out to see a text from Luca.

We’ll be there in 30 minutes.

I show Allie the message, and a spark of excitement flickers in her eyes.

‘Showtime,’ I say. ‘Let’s see how they like the new twists on the classics tonight.’

Just then, the front-of-house team starts filtering in. I gather the hostess, a bartender, and the three servers around us in the kitchen.

‘Listen up, everyone,’ I begin, all business now. ‘Tonight’s a big one. We’ve got some high-profile guests coming in, and I want everything to run like clockwork. Each of you plays a key part in making tonight a success. If all goes well, you’ll all share in tonight’s bonus. Let’s make sure we give them an experience they won’t forget.’

As I lay out the plans, Allie is by my side, her gaze fixed on me. I catch her biting her lip briefly, an action that’s subtly seductive and wholly distracting. God, she’s magnetic, even when she’s just standing there.

‘Let’s keep our focus sharp tonight, okay?’

The chorus of “Yes, Chef!” is the response.

Allie smiles, a glint of mischief in her eyes. As the staff disperses to their stations, readying for the evening, I pull her aside for a quick word.

‘Thanks for being right here with me,’ I say, quieter now. ‘Tonight’s menu has pieces of both of us in it.’

She nods, her expression serious but supportive. ‘Let’s blow them away. With our food, our service—everything.’

I step into the unusually quiet dining area of Savor, noting the silence where there’s typically a bustling dinner crowd. It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come—success is becoming our norm, and I can almost taste that Michelin Star on the horizon.

But my ambitions are momentarily put on hold as Luca Amato and his crew roll in—twelve sharp-dressed men looking like they own the place. The hostess hesitates under their imposing presence, so I quickly step in to take charge.

Striding over confidently, I shake Luca’s hand with a firm grip. ‘Luca, great to see you again,’ I greet him with a warm nod. The group responds with nods and mumbled greetings, but my eyes are drawn to Donnie. He’s scanning the room, clearly on the lookout for Allie, and it sets my teeth on edge.

I hide my irritation as I guide them to their table. ‘We’ve put together something special for you tonight,’ I tell Luca as I hand him the menu, briefly running through the dishes we’ve prepared. His eyes scan the offerings, a flicker of anticipation passing over his features. ‘Looking forward to your feedback,’ I add, with a slight challenge in my tone.

“Looking forward to this meal,” Luca replies with a smile.

As they settle in, I make it clear, ‘If you need anything, just signal. We’re here to make sure you have a top-notch experience tonight.’

After ensuring they’re comfortably seated, I pull the hostess and a couple of servers aside. ‘Keep a tight watch on them, especially Donnie. Let me know if he tries anything or starts snooping around,’ I instruct firmly, ensuring they understand the gravity without causing a scene.

Heading back to the kitchen, I’m all business.

I push through the swinging doors, finding Allie already deep in her preparations. Her focus momentarily breaks as she looks up, a flicker of concern crossing her features.

‘Is Donnie here?’ she asks, trying to sound nonchalant, but there’s an edge to her voice.

‘Yeah, he’s out there,’ I confirm, keeping my tone steady. ‘Don’t let him get to you, though. He’s just some punk who thinks too highly of himself.’

She exhales, forcing a smile that doesn’t quite hide her unease. ‘I know, it’s stupid. But there’s something about him that’s unsettling.’

I nod, understanding her instincts. Guys like Donnie often have more than just arrogance backing them up; they might even have real danger in their past. But I keep these darker thoughts to myself; no need to add to her worries.

With the rest of the staff busy up front, it’s just us in the kitchen, a rare moment of privacy. I step closer, pulling her gently by the waist. “Let me help take your mind off of him,” I say and lean in to kiss her, slow and deep, pouring reassurance and passion into the gesture. ‘Tonight’s going to be incredible,’ I murmur against her lips.

She melts into the kiss for a moment, then pulls back with a bright smile. ‘I agree. Let’s make it a night to remember,’ she says, her earlier concerns momentarily forgotten.

We turn together to face the stoves and counters, our private world where we both shine. As she dives back into her culinary ballet, her skill and grace on full display, a thought strikes me with the weight of a well-aged wine—this isn’t just admiration I feel for her. It’s deeper, stronger.

Watching her move with such precision and passion, the realization dawns on me: I might just be in love.