“It’s 4:30. How long do you plan to primp for?”Ashley frowned as she unwrapped a piece of chocolate from my candy dish.
Gathering up my things, I tidied my desk. “I need to stop by Kristina’s so she can do something with my hair, fit in a quickmani/pedi, and get home with enough time to change and put on fresh makeup.” When I looked up, Ashley was holding back laughter. “What?”
“For someone who doesn’t want this date, you’re certainly going to a lot of trouble.”
“Listen, just because this is a terrible idea doesn’t mean I’m not going to show Luca the same courtesy I do any other highly anticipated lay.” I swung my purse over my shoulder and walked around the desk. “Hopefully, I can trick him out of his pants before the date even starts.”
Ashley patted my back as she flicked the light switch. “Whatever you say,Sash.”
Giving Miranda a tight smile, Ithrew up my middle fingerand left the officeto the sound of Ashley cackling.
* * *
Moretti’s was empty. Not a single person was standing outside the restaurant, which was bizarre for a Friday night. The stylish hostess station stood vacant, and no one was at the glossy bar. The lights were dimmed for dinner service, but no one was being served.
“Uh, Luca?”
A loud crash came from the back of the building. “Back here.”
“Back where?”
“The kitchen.”
Looking down at my pristine little black dress, I sighed.All that prep for nada.
Walking through the dimly lit dining room, I shook my head in disbelief. All the tables were bare except one two-top. Candles adorned the small table, and rose petals were sprinkled on the floor. He’d gone full-on romance, and I was ashamed to say I didn’t hate it.
I pushedpastthe employees only door and found Luca bent over in front of the oven. That man’s backside was a thing ofbeauty.
“Am I early?”
With his back to me, he answered. “Nope, just taking care of a few finishing touches. Have a seat.”
One stool from the bar sat at the metal prep table. As I made my way across the cramped space, Luca finally turned toward me. While his eyes raked over the simple sheath dressand the curves it hugged, he wiped his hands on the front of his apron. “You look beautiful, Sasha.”
It was absurd for such a handsome man even to exist, let alone be there cooking for me and calling me beautiful. In his black trousers, white button-down with the sleeves rolled up, andstained apron, he wasan intoxicating picture of high-powered domesticity.
“Thank you.” Taking a deep breath, I hummed. “It smells great in here.”
“Why, thank you.”
Luca came to my side, his hand resting on the small of my back as he ushered me to the stool.The smell of his expensive cologne enveloped me, and I had a hard time not burying my nose in his neck. Clearing my throat, I turned my attention to the kitchen to keep myself from doing something silly, like biting him.
Every burner held a pot or pan simmering with some kind of magical deliciousness. Sliding up on the stool, I made a show of counting the cookery. “Are we feeding the entire neighborhood?”
Luca’s cheekscrimsoned, andhis hand rubbedthe back of his neck. “I know, I know. It’s been a while since I got to man the kitchen here. Imight’ve gotten a tad carried away.” He looked around the kitchen, shaking his head. “I’ll have to take the leftovers to my mom’s tomorrow.”Moving back to his spotbehind the stovetop, he stirred and tasted whatever was in the biggest pots.Clearly pleased with the taste, he smiled at me. “She’s my biggest fan.”
Leaning forward, I dipped a spoon into a pot that had a marinara simmering. As soon as the sauce hit my tongue, my eyesslid shut, and a not-so-quiet moan fell from my mouth.The balance of spices was perfect, and he’d added a kick of crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.It was heavenly.
When my eyes fluttered open from sauce-induced bliss, Luca’s serious gaze pulled me in. Smiling broadly, I leaned toward him. “I think she might have some competition. That is the most delicious sauce I’ve ever tasted. You should be a chef!”
He cleared his throat and focused on stirring the pot in front of him a couple of times before looking back at me. “I actually went to culinary school. This was supposed to be my kitchen.” He tasted the sauce and nodded. “But there was an accident, and,well,things change.”
Luca fussed with the hand towel over his shoulder, no longer making eye contact.
Great, I’d opened a can of worms.
“I’m sorry. I can’t imagine having to make a change like that.”