Savor You (Fusion #5)(4)

“I’ll think about the offer,” I say reluctantly. “We will work in my kitchen this week, but we’re filming the show on set.”

“Yes,” Trevor says. “The set has been made to look exactly like the kitchen here at Seduction.”

“I’d like to see your kitchen,” Camden says. He may as well have just said he’d like to see me naked. My kitchen is the most intimate part of me.

But I just smile and stand. “This way.”

“I’ll catch up with you both later,” Trevor says.

I walk ahead of Camden, and pray that he’s not staring at my ass. I’m a bit heavier than I was when I knew him years ago. Not much, but a bit, and it’s all settled in my ass.

“You have a beautiful restaurant,” he says from behind me.

“Thank you.” I nod and push through the kitchen door, holding it open for him. He stops next to me and takes everything in.

“Clean. Efficient. Top of the line.”

“It’s all of those things,” I agree and give him the tour. I show him the two walk-in refrigerators and freezers. I show him where I keep everything. I avoid looking at him, or touching him.

Especially touching him.

But then it occurs to me. He’s not avoiding me, and I was the one who left. Shouldn’t he be pissed?

“Why are you here?” I ask suddenly and turn to look him in the eye. The expression on his handsome face doesn’t change, and for a minute, I don’t think he’s going to answer me. He’s changed so much, and yet, he’s exactly the same. He’s filled out. His shoulders are wider, his jaw more square. But his eyes are the same.

“I don’t know,” he finally says. “My first reaction was to turn Trevor down, especially when he told me I’d be working with you.”

I nod. “Seems logical.”

“But then I thought about it, and I decided that I wanted to see you. And at some point, not today, I’ll want to talk to you.”

“You’re talking to me now.”

He raises a brow. Perfectly, of course. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

“Look—”

“Today isn’t the day for this conversation,” he says. He reaches out to touch my hair and I flinch away. His gaze darkens.

“I don’t like to be touched.”

“That’s new.”

I shake my head. “No, it’s really not.”

“You didn’t mind when I touched you.”

“You’re right.”

He steps back and seems to take me in from the top of my head to my feet, and I stand here, wondering if he can see the extra pounds and the extra miles of life that I carry around these days.

“You’re as beautiful as you ever were.”

I smirk. “Thanks for saying so. You look great. I’m glad you’re doing well.”

“When do you want to get started?”

“Tomorrow morning. We will have to start early because I have to begin lunch prep at about ten thirty.”

“Does seven thirty work?”

“Sure.” I cringe inside. That’ll mean less sleep for me, but I’ll make it work. “I’ll meet you here.”

“Excellent.” He turns to leave, and then stops and looks back at me. “It’s good to see you, Mia.”

I just nod and then he’s gone, and I’m standing in my empty kitchen, alone. How did I let them talk me into this?

“Are you okay?” Addie asks from the doorway. I turn to look at her and shrug.

“Yeah. I think it’s still kind of surreal.”

She smirks. “I bet. He’s handsome. He seems nice, and he looks at you like you hung the moon.”

“Please.” I shake my head and pull potatoes out of a bin to peel them. “He doesn’t even know me.”

“He used to,” Addie mutters. She looks fantastic, as usual. Addie runs the front of the house, and with a background in fashion she is always put together. She’s wearing her glasses today, which only makes her look more mysterious and beautiful.

Kat walks into the kitchen, followed by Riley and Cami.

“Are we having a party?” I ask my business partners.

“A dude you used to be married to just left our restaurant,” Cami replies.

“Yes. I was here,” I remind her.

“We want to make sure you’re good. I can bring you more wine if you need it. I just got a fabulous new Cabernet from France that I’ve been dying to try.”

As our wine bar manager, Kat is excellent in her job. She’s also excellent at keeping us liquored up if we need it.

“I have to work,” I remind them. “And I appreciate you all being worried about me, but I’m fine. It actually went better than I expected.”

“We’ve known you a long time, Mia,” Cami says, narrowing her eyes. “And we have your back. If you’re not comfortable with this—”

“I’m fine.” I sigh and look each of them in the eyes. They’re my best friends, my business partners, and they know me better than anyone else. “Honest.”

“Okay.” Kat nods. “Let’s get out of her kitchen before she throws a potato at us.”