Savor You (Fusion #5)(56)

“It’s doing very well,” she says. “We’re kicking around the idea of opening up places in Seattle and San Francisco.”

“Really?” I frown. “You haven’t mentioned it.”

“It’s still the early stages,” she says with a shrug. “And frankly, I have enough on my plate with the restaurant we already have and the new show. So there’s no rush, but it’s good to know that it could happen.”

“It’s so exciting,” Steph replies. “I loved it when we were there. It’s such a beautiful space, and the food was amazing.”

“Thank you,” Mia says with a wide smile. “That means a lot. I’ve recently hired a new executive chef to help me, along with a couple of new sous chefs. Camden reminded me that being a control freak is going to put me in an early grave, so I’m learning to delegate.”

Steph glances over at me. “Did you admit that you also tend to be a control freak?”

“There’s no need to tell her lies,” I reply, making both Chip and Steph laugh.

“He works more hours than anyone I’ve ever met,” Chip says. His back is to us as he grills the steaks.

“I’ve backed off some,” I remind them. “And the show is going very well. We’re almost finished filming the first season.”

“Oh, that’s so great,” Steph replies. “It’s wonderful that it worked into you doing a whole show together. I’m sure you work well together.”

“He’s fun to work with,” Mia admits, smiling at me. “He’s helpful, and flirty, and makes me feel at ease in front of the camera, which isn’t my normal. I get nervous.”

“I watched the special they ran on Seduction. I never would have thought that you were nervous. You looked beautiful.”

“Well, thanks,” Mia replies. “But it’s so not what I’m used to. I’d rather just be back in the kitchen, doing my thing.”

“You’re good at both,” I reply, and watch as she squirms a bit in her seat. “And I’m not just saying that because I love you.”

“I love you too,” she says happily.

“Wait.” Steph looks back and forth between us. “Did you hear that, Chuck?”

“I did,” Chip replies. He’s also spun around and is staring at me in shock.

“I thought his name was Chip,” Mia whispers to me.

“His name is Charles, and I switch it up sometimes,” Steph replies, then shakes her head. “But back it up. You just said that you love her.”

“I do.”

“Wow.” She blinks at me for a moment, then smiles at Mia. “He never says that. Like, ever.”

“Whatever,” I reply, rolling my eyes, but she just shakes her head.

“We’ve talked about his. Really. He doesn’t say I love you easily.”

“I know,” Mia says and reaches over to take my hand.

“That’s really sweet,” Steph says and looks up at Chip, who leans down and kisses her cheek.

“Don’t get all emotional,” Chip says and turns back to the steaks. “This is a good thing.”

“It’s a really good thing,” she says and clears her throat. “Camden, can you please help me in the kitchen? I want to bring out the rest of dinner.”

“Or, you want to talk about Mia behind her back,” I reply, but stand to follow her inside. She slaps my arm, harder than usual.

“Stop it,” she says. “I am not going to talk about Mia behind her back.”

“It’s okay,” Mia says, laughing. “I’d do the same thing with my brother.”

I wink at her as I walk past, and as soon as we’re in her kitchen with the door closed, Steph wraps her arms around me and hugs me tightly. “I’m so happy that you’re in love and that you’re actually telling her that you love her.”

“Thanks.” I pat her back. “This is an extreme reaction to this, you know.”

“No, it’s not. I’m your big sister, and I raised your cranky teenage ass, so I get to have this moment with you. You’ve waited a long time to have this in your life, and I’m just so fucking happy for you.”

“Thank you.” I stand patiently and let her hug it out, and when she steps back, I brush a tear off her face. “Are you okay?”

“Oh yeah,” she says and wipes her eyes. “I wasn’t expecting to hear you say it, almost casually like that.”

“I’ve had a week to get used to it,” I reply.

“You’ve been saying it to each other for a whole week?”

I nod.

“And you didn’t tell me?”

“What did you want me to do? Call you as soon as I said it to her to fill you in?”

“A text would have been sufficient,” she says with a sniff. “I need to know these things.”

“And now you know. What do we need to take outside?”

She loads me up with a platter of baked potatoes and a big bowl of salad, and once she has all of the condiments, we make our way back outside to set the table.

“Two steaks are done,” Chip says. “Who ordered medium rare?”

Mia and I both raise our hands.