On the bright side, having my hands full does mean I can put my sous-chef, Jade, to the test even more. Frankly, this will be a good trial run. She’s run the restaurant for a night here and there on her own, but never a full weekend. That’s what it’s going to take for me to handle my sister’s wedding in Sterling Springs.
My phone pings and this time I’m half tempted to just turn it off because it’s probably Sisi telling me that I also need to bring doves or something for the wedding. I can’t turn my phone off though because I’m hopelessly watching for any word from Kelsey because she said she would text me when she was on her way.
We planned to meet at my apartment atfive o’clock, which she thought was early for a date. I told her it would be perfect and to leave the rest to me. I still haven’t been able to stop looking at my phone.
I wish I would have ignored my phone though because when I look at the message, it’s not my sister or Kelsey. It’s Slade.
Slade: I put a deposit on this place.
LINK: Capitol Hill Gem
I click on the link and to my immediate surprise, I’m relieved. The link isn’t for another building to convert into a restaurant. Scrolling down though, any relief I felt is gone. It’s a listing for an apartment in downtown Seattle.
So much for ‘just think about it’.
“I look good, right?”I glance down, but her feline eyes give nothing away. I look back in the mirror while I finish trimming my facial hair down to a fine stubble and brush my hair out of my eyes. “Seriously, I don’t have anything in my teeth or something?”
Meow.
“Wow. That’s what I get for taking you off the street and into my home. Thanks, Oscar.”
My stupid cat licks her paw before hopping off the vanity and sauntering out of my bathroom. I guess I’m on my own now.
Shadow: We’re five minutes away.
My pulse speeds up for a minute. We? Who is she bri?—
Shadow:
My heart slows back to its normal rhythm.
OK. She just means Felix. Of course, Felix should be with her.
Shit. I need to calm down because I want tonight to be perfect. I’ve waited forever for this moment and I don’t want anything to screw it up. Easier said than done though because my wonderful, but unrelentingly demanding family has wormed their way into my head today.
I take a deep breath to clear my mind and give myself a final once-over in the mirror. Then I grab my phone and walk through my apartment to the balcony overlooking the restaurant patio below and mountains in the distance.
Me: We’ll see you soon!
Shadow: Dork
I swipe to close out my messages, but I still catch a glimpse of the earlier texts from my sister and brother. Sisi, I get. It’s not her fault that her caterer bailed. That’s shitty and frankly I wanted to help her. Sometimes things happen for a reason and work out in the end.
Slade though, that’s something else. He went freaking apartment shopping for me. Not just shopping, but he actually put a deposit on a place when I’ve been very clear with him that I’m only considering accepting the Seattle restaurant.
What’s more infuriating is that the apartment is perfect. It has views of the mountains. It’s a block from the restaurant. It’s got that homey and lived-in feel compared to some sterile cookie-cutter place. It would be perfect if I knew I wanted to be there. I love and hate that my brother knows me this damnwell. There’s only one person I ever want to be in my head like that and it’s definitely not him.
Sitting out on the balcony, I admit to myself that I know this decision isn’t going to go away or make itself for me. I’m going to have to face my brother and whether or not I want this opportunity eventually. I’ve put so much work into my career—for over a decade—that I owe it to myself to at least consider it.
My eyes lift when I hear the jingle of a collar from inside the apartment. Felix trots in from Kelsey’s door into my living room. He flops on the ground and rolls on his back next to Oscar. She proceeds to climb on top of him and starts making biscuits on his neck fur. Maybe I just needed a giant dog to keep my cat occupied all along.
None of that matters though because Kelsey walks into the room next, and my heart stops cold in my chest. She’s wearing a light and flowy sundress that stops just above her knees and it makes my brain malfunction. She crouches down to pet Oscar and Felix and I stay put, taking all of her in.
The dress is cut low enough in the front that her lotus tattoo is on full display and tells me she’s not wearing a bra again. That knowledge sends blood rushing straight to my cock. That would explain my hardly functioning brain at least.
Her bare shoulders are exposed by the thin straps and I can just spot her delicate black and gray floral tattoo. It sits just below the nape of her neck and her long black hair.
I can’t take my eyes off her dress though. It’s a gray that reminds me of staring into her eyes, except it has a lavender colored floral pattern on it. With her creamy skin, that splash of subtle color is so vivid and striking. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her wearing anything other than muted neutrals or black and gray, but it suits her perfectly.