“Cookedwas amazing,” the other one agreed. “I can’t believe you’re actually about to eat my food.”
“It looks amazing,” Drew said, turning on all his charm. “You guys are awesome. I learned a lot about the restaurant business filming the show, and chefs like you are the real superstars.”
The man was just so damn personable when people approached him. It made Lee’s heart swell with pride in his boyfriend.
Even if Drew wasn’t really his boyfriend.
Though it sure as fuck felt like it.
“Can we get a picture with you?” the first chef asked, even though the instructor looked on in disapproval. “With the food, of course,” he added.
“Sure. Come around so we can all squeeze in,” Drew answered.
The next few minutes were spent not only taking selfies, but with Drew posing with the food and drawing Lee into the fun. By the time the instructor pulled the chefs away from the table and marched them back into the kitchen, the two guys had more juicy pics of Drew than they would probably know what to do with.
Although within half an hour, it seemed like they knew exactly what to do.
Just as Drew was in the middle of saying, “I seriously need to learn how to cook for real. That was one thing I didn’t get a chance to do on the set ofCooked,” as they finished up their puddings, Lee began to notice more and more sets of eyes peering around the corner to where they were sitting.
“I had to learn to cook out of necessity,” he said, idly chatting, but with increasing awareness that they were very much being watched. “I’ve never really liked ready-made meals or things you just toss in the cooker or the microwave, so that means I’ve had to learn how to cook.”
“And you’re very good at it,” Drew said, saluting him with the last of his wine before drinking it and setting his glass down. “I always enjoy what you give me to eat.”
Lee nearly choked on his tiramisu. If that wasn’t a big, fat, gay euphemism, he didn’t know what was. But coming from Drew?
“I aim to please,” Lee grinned, sliding his hand across the table to where Drew’s fingers still rested against the bottom of his glass.
Drew’s gaze dropped to where their fingers touched, then rose slowly to meet Lee’s eyes. The heat there was palpable, but it was also restrained. Restrained in a way like it was dying to break free.
“Drew, you know you can tell me if?—”
The vulnerable question was interrupted by a flash off to their side. They both turned to find a young man with spiky red hair holding up his cell phone at them.
“Whoops,” the guy said, looking genuinely shocked. “I didn’t realize the flash was on. I’m really sorry.
“It’s okay,” Drew said, though Lee could tell he didn’t really mean it. To Lee he said, “We should probably get going.”
That was an understatement, but by the time they called one of the wait staff over, paid their bill, and stood, it was already too late. A throng of paparazzi was waiting for them just outside the restaurant door.
“Drew, is it true you and Lee are engaged?” one of them shouted.
“Turn this way, Drew!” another called out.
“This is all just fake, isn’t it,” a third accused them, stepping forward with their cell phone at the ready.
“Hey, Lee and I are just trying to have a nice dinner out. Could we do this some other time?” Drew addressed them all, irritated.
“Are you using Drew to get a book deal?” the first reporter called out to Lee as Drew took his hand with one hand and pulled out his cell phone to make a quick call, probably to his driver with the other.
“What? No!” Lee scowled at the reporter.
“Then what are the two of you doing together?” one of the other reporters called out as the whole group followed him and Drew down the street. “Is the sex any good?”
“What the hell?” Lee snapped.
“Don’t answer,” Drew said, picking up his pace once he’d finished the call. “They get paid more money if they get a picture of you acting out or losing your temper.”
It was vile, but there was nothing either of them could do about it. Drew had had the right idea when he’d called for a car.Lee was relieved beyond measure when it pulled up from a side street and the driver leapt out to open the back door for them.