Dinner for the Pack

Eliana stepped into the kitchen, her gaze immediately landing on the chef who had already begun cooking. He looked up as she entered, offering her a kind smile and gesturing for her to come closer.

"Eliana, right? I'm James," he introduced himself.

Eliana couldn't help but notice how handsome he was. His strong jawline, neatly trimmed beard, and the mischievous sparkle in his eyes gave him a rugged charm. Pushing the thought aside, she nodded politely. "Yes, my name is Eliana. Rosemary asked me to come help you."

"Great to have you on board, Eliana," James replied warmly. "Rosemary mentioned you've got some kitchen experience too. That's fantastic—we could definitely use an extra hand today."

He motioned toward the stove, where something bubbled away in a large pot. "We're preparing a special menu for tonight's event, and things are starting to get busy. Let me show you what needs to be done."