Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 105301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 527(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 527(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
I giggle because that only just makes sense. “Thank you, Kerim, for feeding me and for this opportunity.”
His answering grin is full of warmth. “I made the right decision. You deserve to be here.”
My responding smile is blinding; I can’t hold it in. This is becoming an awesome day, despite the fact Nathan is leaving tomorrow. And on that thought my smile is gone.
“So, Alton Castle, I’ve never been.” Kerim stretches his arms above his head and flexes his thighs as though preparing to race.
“Me neither but I’ve always wanted to go.”
“I hope you have a good time.” He holds open the door to the kitchen and motions for me to enter first. Patience stares at me from across the way with narrowed eyes. What’s her problem? “Mark it on the calendar in my office or I’ll forget.”
“Yes, Chef.” I grin and practically skip in that direction. Who would have guessed that Kerim is actually a nice guy beneath all of the insulting, shouting and swearing he does?
Surprisingly, since starting work in this fabulous restaurant, I’ve never once ventured into Kerim’s office. It’s nothing spectacular and it would no doubt give Nathan hives with how disorganised and messy it is.
I have the urge to organise the papers strewn over the desk and the floor but I have a feeling that Kerim knows exactly where things are in here. If I touch his stuff, I’ll be in deep shit. It’s not worth it.
The calendar hangs by the side of the door at eye level, a pen hanging loosely on a piece of ribbon from the wire binding at the top. Skipping forward a month, I circle the correct date with the red pen and write my name and reason for absence in the small box.
When I’m done, I find Kerim working over my station and I spot a lamb cutlet sitting in the centre of a plate. It’s rarer than I like but I’ll eat anything he gives me. He adds potatoes and a drizzle of gravy before sliding it in my direction. “Eat.”
I do as I’m told, trying not to mouthgasm with every bite. He’s just too good at food.
“Good?”
I nod. “The gravy is different.”
“Too many customers complaining about the mint so I made an alternative.”
“Good plan.” I’m surprised when he cuts into the lamb on my plate and takes a bite.
“Your husband,” he speaks around the food in his mouth, covering his lips with the back of his hand, “invited me to dinner, but as I’m still training you, I politely declined. I wanted to tell you, so you would know not to take offence.”
Nathan didn’t mention anything.
“He’s my friend, yes, but you know my rules on socialising. Once you’re trained and have the qualifications you need, I’ll gladly accept.” He dips his head and asks, “You understand?”
“Of course.”
Harold knocks an empty pan away and it clatters on the ground, splashing dirty water across the tiles.
“I’ll get it.” I brush past and reach for a mop. Kerim returns to work mode faster than he left it.
“You fucked the fish!” Harold bellows at Patience who, true to her name, has enough to just roll her eyes and start again.
She scowls at me in response to my reassuring look. I was trying to show her a united front but she can go fuck some more fish if that’s how she wants to be.
If I could drop to the ground and cling to Nathan’s leg I would, but people are watching and he’d hate the spectacle. So instead I cling onto his arm and smother his cheek and neck in kisses as he tries to move to his car. His smile lets me know that this is the kind of attention he enjoys.
“Gwen, I’ll be home in a few days.”
“That’s a few days longer than now though,” I grumble petulantly.
“My Angel is going to get upset if I leave her alone for a moment longer.” He’s referring to Emily, who he has just fitted safely into her car seat. I look around him at the bright eyed baby girl who seems far too happy to play with her father’s phone. She likes bashing it against the arm of the car seat.
“You’re so full of poop,” I state haughtily and straighten myself.
He grins, tugs me into his body and slams his lips onto mine, “I shall miss you every second that I’m gone.”
“Good.”
“Daddy.” Dillan tugs on Nathan’s jacket and Nathan gathers him into his arms for a long hug and a deep inhale. “Daddy be long. No.”
“No, Daddy won’t be long.” Nathan kisses his son’s chubby cheek and hands him to me. I balance him on one hip as I tap Nathan’s nose with my own. “I’ll call you when we arrive.”
“Good.”
“Have fun at work.” He squeezes my fingers and reaches through the rear passenger side window to snatch his phone back from the naughty baby. Now she screams. I lean through the window and annoy her with more smooches, despite the fact I already said my goodbyes before we strapped her in. “We’ll be fine.”