Spark (Heat #2)(8)

"No." She slaps her hand against my arm. "I'm just so excited about this design. It's my best yet, Den."

I envy her right now. Sophia made a promise to herself that she wouldn't date anyone seriously until her career is exactly where she wants it to be. I don't have as much self-control when it comes to men as she does, obviously.

"I think you should choose the fabric, Soph." I drape my arm around her shoulders. "Pick the one you think will best highlight the design."

"You're sure about that?" Her gaze darts up to meet mine.

"I'm positive." I lean my head against hers. "You're way better at this stuff than I am."

She can't know that I'm not just talking about choosing fabric. It's life. Sophia's life is as uncomplicated as mine is complex and at this moment, I'd give anything to trade places with her.

***

"I had a job offer." Maribel sips on the glass of lemonade she ordered after she arrived at the outdoor café.

I didn't hesitate at all when she called me an hour ago asking if I'd meet her for a cold drink. We're not friends, yet, but she's definitely someone I like being around.

I was looking for something to do for the afternoon. I'd spent all morning perfecting a chicken recipe. I took the results to Sophia for lunch. I knew she could use the food and my company. I heard her sewing machine running when I got up to use the washroom early this morning. A few hours later she was racing through the apartment, hurrying out the door without eating any breakfast.

I stare down at the almost empty glass of sparkling water I ordered when I first sat down. I'd walked here from Sophia's office. It was a hike but I wanted the exercise and since I'm dressed in navy shorts and a white tank, the heat hasn't bothered me. The only evidence of the trek here is the sole blister that's now forming under the leather strap of my left sandal.

"Where?" I ask quietly, not sure if she'd even be willing to share that with me.

"You won't say a word to Tyler about this, will you?"

I'm not about to say any word to Tyler. I know I'll need to talk to him soon. When I do, Maribel's job offer isn't high on the things I want to discuss. "I won't say a thing."

"It's in Brooklyn. It's a brand new place. They want me there from the get-go."

The obvious question is what position she's going to hold. I know that she wants to move up the ladder at Nova but she knows, as well as I do, that the chances of that happening are slim to none. Her career has stalled there and if she's going to leave a mark on the culinary landscape of New York City, she needs to do that now.

"It's a head chef job, Cadence."

"Have you accepted it?" I slide the plastic straw between my lips and take a drink.

"I haven't." Her eyes linger on mine for a second before they focus somewhere behind me. "Since they're just starting out, the pay isn't great. They're not planning on offering a lunch service so my hours would be a lot less too."

"Is that a deal breaker for you?"

"My hubby owns a clothing store. Sales aren't what they used to be so he took on a job at a courier a year ago. The money isn't bad but we're using most of it to keep the store afloat. We depend on what I make to keep our heads above water."

I smile softly. She's looking for advice. I don't know that I'm qualified to offer her any but I want to try. "You're really talented, Maribel. I think you have to consider the fact that if this place wants you, there's a good chance that other restaurants will too. Maybe before you make a decision, you should put out more feelers to see what's out there."

She nods. "I thought the same thing. Have you been doing that too? Are you looking for something new or are you going to hang around and wait for Nova to reopen?"

Before last night there wasn't a single doubt in my mind about my career. I envisioned spending my days next to Tyler, working on recreating Nova in a new space and my nights in his arms and his bed. Now, I'm not certain if either of those visions is anything more than a pipe dream.

"I'm not sure about my future either," I say evenly. "I have no idea where I'll end up.





CHAPTER 7


"You have no reason to be here, Brendon," I say the words harshly as soon as I know he's within earshot.

I noticed him the second I rounded the corner. He was leaning against the mailbox in front of my building with his eyes cast down on his phone. I considered turning around and walking away but I'm tired after my self-initiated marathon walk around Manhattan today. The blister on my foot has reached 'impossible to ignore' status. All I want is a glass of wine and a warm soak in a bathtub filled with fragrant bubbles.

"I love you, Den. isn’t that enough of a reason to be here?"

Cue the violins and rose petals.

"You're so full of bullshit." I stop directly in front of him. "I don't want to talk to you ever again, Brendon."

"You know that's not true." He shakes his head. "We were good together."

"Were," I repeat back with a wave of my hand in the air.

"We can be again." He reaches to touch me, his fingertips brushing my bare elbow. "I gave you space because you asked for it. I'm tired of waiting for you to come back to me. I want you back. I need you at Axel."