I really shouldn’t be this concerned about winning June over, though. I should be giving all my attention to considering Noah’s restaurant and whether I want to be a part of it. But I’m not. I can’t bring myself to give it even a second of my thoughts.
Last night, I fell asleep thinking of ways to make June smile. I just want one aimed at me. Just one and I’ll be happy. I’ve never been on the receiving end of one of her smiles, but I’m determined to get one by the end of this week.
It’s not that I’m head-over-heels in love with the woman already, but I feel a pull to her. A need to spend time with her. Be close to her. I can’t shake it.
I look in June’s eyes and see a million emotions flying through them. She’s a human slot machine right now, and her eyes are rotating emoji icons. Daggers, hearts, crying face, smile, purple devil.
She blinks her long dark lashes and rips her hand away before walking toward Stacy who is watching us with wide eyes. “Just leave me alone from now on, Ryan. Or better yet…eat glass,” says June.
Sorry, June Bug. Neither one of those things is going to happen.
“What did I miss?” Stacy asks and then shakes her head and waves her hand. “No, you know what? I don’t want to know, because my whole life is falling apart. My caterer and most of her staff for the rehearsal dinner just came down with the flu! There’s no way they’ll be over it by Friday night.”
I pick my baseball hat up off my head and scrape my hand through my hair before replacing it. That’s my way of preparing to say no to what I’m sure Stacy is about to ask me.
“What! No way,” says June. “Is there anyone else we can hire?”
Stacy shakes her head no, but I doubt she’s even tried to hire anyone else. “Not in this short of notice. Everyone else I’ve reached out to is booked solid.”
I narrow my eyes. “Who else have you tried?”
She shrugs a shoulder but doesn’t meet my eye. “Just some locals. Doesn’t matter. You’ve never heard of them.” Beep. Beep. Beep. My lie detector is going off. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter because I know who I want to have cater it.”
I shut my eyes tight, bracing for impact.
“Please, Ryan. Please, please, please. You’re pretty much the best chef in the country! It will be such a treat for everyone if you make the food.”
I don’t bother hiding my groan. “It’s so last minute. I don’t even have a kitchen.”
Stacy is tugging on my arm now. “Oh, come on. There’s only going to be about fifty people there. A chef as good as you doesn’t need much time to prep, right? And you can use my kitchen. Or June’s!” She’s just trying to butter me up.
“I think you might be confusing me with a fairy godmother. All chefs need time to prep.”
“Well, well, well,” says June, sounding like a middle school bully that’s cornering me on the playground. She’s going to steal my lunch. “Who knew catering a rehearsal dinner would be too hard for Mr. Bigshot?” She has her hand on her hip and is smirking at me. It’s cute.
It also gives me a new idea.
I smile and take a step toward June, locking eyes with her but addressing Stacy. “Tell you what, Stacy. I’ll do it.”
June narrows her eyes, but Stacy squeals. “Really?! Thank you, Ryan! You’re the b—”
“But only if June lets me use her kitchen and assists me.”
If there was a record playing right now, it would grind to a screeching halt. “What? No,” says June, her arm falling off her hip. “I’m not helping you.” She looks to Stacy. “I’m not helping him.”
I shrug and turn to face Stacy. “Sorry, I tried. I can’t do it without help, though.”
Stacy’s face is so forlorn it’s laughable. She turns big round puppy eyes to June. “Juuuunie—”
June flashes her a no-nonsense look and takes one big step away. “No, don’t start that.”
Stacy rushes up to her and drops down to her knees, clasping June’s hand inside her own. “My darling, June. Love of my life. Soul sister from another mister. Please help Ryan!! I’ll never ask you for anything again.”
“I doubt that.”
“I’ll give you my house.”
“You’re renting.”