I drop my head and rub my temples. “Fine. Back to work. We’re almost done for the night anyway so let’s end it on a high note.”
Kelsey walks back over to the drink prep area with Rich. I admire how her dress—the one I ripped off of her and then fixed—flatters her ass as she goes. Then I turn back to the kitchen and try to focus on my job. I have a feeling that’s going to be a lot harder with her around more often, but it’s going to be worth it. Anytime spent with her in my world is priceless.
“And that’sour dessert special for tonight. I hope you enjoy it.” I smile at the couple sitting at the counter and set down the dishes of gelato, complete with fresh picked berries and a homemade chocolate wafer. It’s nearly closing time and that will be the last dish I serve tonight.
I look back into the kitchen and survey the scene. Fortunately, our staff is focused on all the details. Even after a busy night like this, the kitchen is nearly spotless and shouldn’t take long to close, which is perfect because I want to get upstairs with Kelsey as soon as humanly possible. I still don’t knowhow I got this lucky to have her working in the restaurant with me, and now she’s going to be living right next to me, but I know better than to question when things are going well.
“Well, look who it is,” Rich’s deep drawl cuts the through the mostly empty restaurant. I look over at him and Kelsey at the bar, then follow his line of sight to the front of the restaurant.
“What the fuck?” I mumble under my breath.
Standing in the entryway next to our hostess is my brother, Slade. It’s impossible to miss him with his height, tattoos, and haircut that always looks like he had it done that day.
He’s got the same confident grin plastered on, as always, when he says something to Devyn that makes her laugh. I just keep standing here, looking on in stunned confusion, as my brother walks through the restaurant in my direction.
Why the hell is he here, and why didn’t he bother to tell me he was coming?
CHAPTER 37
KELSEY
It’s beenover two years since I last saw Slade Sterling. After learning that he was actually the one that bought this house and turned it into the restaurant, I was worried I would be angry when we met again. Instead of anger, I feel nothing.
Looking at my boyfriend, I can’t say he’s having the same indifferent reaction to his brother’s arrival. I try to think back over the last few days and neither Rich nor Sutton mentioned that Slade was coming. It’s possible I just forgot or that they never thought to mention it. Judging by Sutton’s expression, I don’t think he was expecting this.
I brush past Rich and walk over to Sutton’s side. From his rigid posture to the muscle ticking in his jaw, I can feel the unease oozing off of him. Instinctively, my hand splays between his broad back and I rub circles in his dense muscles through his chef’s coat. I lean into him and feel him relax just the slightest bit.
“I take it you didn’t know he was coming?”
He shakes his head. “Nope.” His tone is curt.
The last diners sitting at the counter get up just as Slade reaches us and sits at one of the stools across from us. He’s justas imposing as I remember, but he lacks the softer charming features that his younger brother has.
I wait for either of them to say something, but neither does. Well, this is freaking awkward. Another moment passes and I swear you could cut the air between them with a knife. Finally, I spare either from caving to the other in this pissing match I’m caught up in.
“It’s nice to see you again, Slade. It’s been awhile.” I plaster on a polite smile that I’m positive looks more like a grimace than a warm greeting.
He turns to me and his eyes settle on my hand rubbing his brother’s back. “Where are my manners? I don’t think we’ve formally met before.” He stands and extends a hand over the counter. “Slade Sterling.”
I start to step toward him but Sutton extends his arm, stopping me. “Why are you here, Slade? I know you didn’t come to catch up with my girlfriend.”
Sutton possessively wraps his arm around me and I melt into his warmth, as much for him as for me.
Slade shimmies back onto his stool and smirks. “I thought we could put on our pajamas and curl up on the couch for the season finale of Honeycomb Ranch.”
I turn to Sutton. “Wait. Does your whole family watch? Also, the finale was last night.”
Sutton rolls his eyes. “No, he thinks TV is a waste of brain cells.”
I clutch my chest in mock shock. “How dare he besmirch the housewives?”
Sutton faces me and smiles. “I know. Caroline and Brooke would never stand for this.”
Slade huffs a dismissively laugh, prompting Sutton to look at him.
“Seriously, why did you come here?”
His brother shrugs. “I do own the majority of this restaurant,remember? I don’t need a reason to come check on my investment.”