Chapter 15

“Drey, can you come back and share a drink with us?”

“Sure.” I curled my fingers in my apron. “Artemas has never brought a date here before.”

“Oh, I’m—”

I turned to my friend, not even bothering to offer a smile. “I can’t stay, we’re getting slammed, but I wanted to say hi. And to welcome Oliver, of course.”

Artemas gave me a puzzled look. Fortunately, Lou arrived with his watermelon chili salt amuse bouche, and I was able to retreat to the kitchen.

Blindly I went to work gathering ingredients, but once I had them lined up at my work station and saw which herbs I’d selected, I knew I couldn’t do this. A headache began throbbing behind my eyes. I turned to my crew, to find them all observing me as if they’d never seen me before

“What?”

“Uh…nothing, Chef.”

But I knew they’d been whispering about the situation I’d found myself in. I’d been so certain no matter who Artemas fell in love with, I’d be able to deal with it. And I would.