But I wasn’t sure I actually believed that. Just being near him made my blood run hot and my pulse thump in my chest. I had a feeling the same thing happened to him, too. I knew my reasons for trying to hide from the way he made me feel, but what were his? If he really felt the same way, why was he trying so hard to deny it to himself?
I couldn’t think about that. I needed to focus on my menu before anything else. Because if I didn’t get this right, there wouldn’t be a job. I’d wind up across the country, sweating my ass off for some asshole chef who would refuse to admit I existed for years. I’d be in my thirties before I even had a hope of something like this coming along again.
Once upon a time, there was a girl who got the opportunity of a lifetime. That girl did not fuck it up. Well, at least she hoped that was how the story was going to go.
16
GREYSON
I pulled up to a rundown little farmhouse on the outskirts of Fairhope. There was only one vacation rental in the whole town, and I’d been lucky to snag it for Katie. It had been four days since Harper showed up at the inn and asked for a shot at the head chef position. I still couldn’t believe I’d told her she could try. Worse yet, I had followed through on my promise. I hadn’t contacted a single prospect in the meantime.
I shook my head at myself and got out of the car. I knocked on Katie’s door. Molly answered in her unicorn pajamas.
“Daddy!” she said, jumping up to hug me and clinging on.
“Hey chicken legs.” I scooped her up and squeezed her tight. I hated having to leave them with their mom, but thankfully Katie and I were still on good terms. I knew it was good for them, but I selfishly always wanted more time.
Molly laughed and did a few impressions of a chicken as I set her down, flapping her arms and clucking in circles around me.
Billy and Katie came out together. Billy had a cast on his arm.
I frowned. “What the hell is that?” I demanded.
“Language,” Molly and Katie echoed.
Katie grinned at Molly, then looked up at me. She was still attractive, with elegant features and black hair she liked to wear in a long braid. Unlike me, she’d been seriously dating ever since our split and was currently seeing some asshole named Matt. Although there wasn’t anything particularly wrong with the guy. He was a financial advisor, wealthy, and the kids seemed to like him, even if Billy had confided that he was boring. Katie seemed happy with him, which was good enough. But he was still an asshole. I didn’t like some other man even partly playing the role of father to my kids.
“Billy decided to go tree climbing. Last night. At midnight,” Katie said, rubbing his head.
I looked at him like he was an idiot, even though I knew I’d done several equally stupid things at his age. Then I looked back to Katie. “You didn’t think to call me?”
“It was late. I knew you were coming to see them this morning, so I decided not to worry you.”
I clenched my jaw. “I’m their father, even if they are with you. I deserve to fuc–” I hesitated, then shook my head. “I deserve to know if my son is hurt. Is it broken?” I asked Billy.
“Sprained,” he said.
“Shit.”
“Language!” Molly and Katie both said.
I couldn’t help smirking. “Sorry. Go grab your stuff kids,” I said, pushing them gently back into the house. They went off, leaving me alone with Katie.
“So?” she said, crossing her arms and giving me an expectant look. “How are you adjusting?”
“It’s not an adjustment. I’m only here three months.”
She looked skeptical, and that pissed me off.
I clenched my jaw. “This is for Gramps. After this, I’m back to life as usual.”
“Zack told me there’s a girl you’re interested in. One of the locals.”
Fucking Zack. “Zack is full of shit. You know that.”
“There’s nothing wrong with dating, Greyson. Nobody is going to give you an award for staying lonely and angry the rest of your life. You deserve to be happy. You realize that, right?”
I didn’t want to have this conversation with Katie. “Where’s Matt?”
“He’s going to meet us here next week. He had an important meeting he couldn’t miss in a few days.”
I grunted.
“You sure you’re fine only having them this weekend?”
“Yeah,” I said. “I’ve got a lot to get done at the inn. The quiet should help me move more quickly.” Katie was also homeschooling them since school started soon. I didn’t have the time for it, so I had to admit it was better if I just had them for weekends at the moment.