Juniper Hill (The Edens #2)(62)

A shiver rolled over his shoulders as he opened his eyes. Then he gave me a sexy, devilish smirk. “Now you’re a mess.”

His mess.

In that mess, there was passion.

In that passion, we were perfect.





CHAPTER EIGHTEEN





MEMPHIS





Knuckles had never looked so magical. This restaurant was meant to be full of people, and not a single table sat empty. From the moment I’d stepped through the door, the noise had swallowed me whole. The clink of silverware. The rumble of conversation. The boom of unrestrained laughter.

The scent of spices and herbs lured me deeper into the space. Roasted turkey. Creamy potatoes. Tangy cranberries. Sage stuffing and sweet cornbread. My stomach growled.

Drake felt the excitement in the air and let out a little squeal, kicking his legs as we slipped past the hostess station.

Some of the people eating their Thanksgiving feast were guests I recognized from the hallways of the hotel. Others were locals, most faces I didn’t know. But someday, like Knox, I hoped to walk through here and know most people by name.

I pushed through the swinging door to the kitchen, expecting chaos. Instead, I was greeted by more laughter as Roxanne, Skip and Knox stood around the gleaming prep table. The teenager who washed dishes was stacking clean plates.

“Am I in the right place?” I asked.

Knox chuckled and came over, lifting Drake from my arms. Then his mouth was on mine, his tongue sweeping across my lips.

I blinked, taken aback by the kiss, but then I lifted my hands to his face to hold on, laughing as he growled and let me go. “Whoa. Now there’s a hello.”

“Hello.” His smile was breathtaking.

Drake latched a hand onto his beard and pulled.

“Hey, boss.” Knox kissed his cheek, then pulled me into his side. “How was the morning?”

“Guessing not as hectic as yours.”

Because daycare was closed for Thanksgiving, I’d spent the morning with Drake. Eloise, best boss in the world, had changed the shifts so I could have today and tomorrow off. I’d be working all weekend, but Knox had volunteered to watch Drake.

I’d spent an hour playing with my son, working on tummy time and rolling over. Then during Drake’s morning nap, I’d cleaned Knox’s house. He’d left just after four to get to the restaurant and prep for the holiday meal.

Knuckles had a single menu today and had been reservation only. Locals who hadn’t wanted to cook and those visiting Quincy had blocked out the day months ago. Every seat had been taken.

“How did everything go?” I asked.

“Good. Easy.” He chuckled as Roxanne and Skip both scoffed.

“This is the first time I’ve breathed since five,” Roxanne said, stripping off an apron as she headed to the walk-in. She came out with three square silver bowls, each covered in clear plastic wrap. “I’m going home to eat myself into a food coma.”

“Thanks for today,” Knox said.

“You bet. See you guys tomorrow.”

Knox waved as she disappeared down the hallway to slip out of the side exit. Then he let me go, handing Drake over, to unbutton his white coat.

“You don’t need to stick around?” I asked, glancing to the door and all the people beyond.

“No, we’re all done. Every table has food. There will be a ton of dishes to wash, but Skip’s family dinner isn’t until tonight so he’s going to close up.” He balled up his coat, taking it to a laundry bin, then retrieved his keys and jacket from his office. “Call me if you need anything.”

Skip lifted a hand. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

“Same to you.” Knox stole Drake again, carrying him as we headed out of the kitchen. Not five steps into the dining room and a man stood from his table of eight, hand extended.

“This is quite the meal, Knox.”

“Thanks, Joe. Appreciate you all coming down.”

“We were just talking about how this will be our new tradition.” Joe glanced my way and Knox put his hand around my shoulders.

“Joe, this is my girlfriend, Memphis. And this little man is Drake.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Joe said, shaking my hand.

“Hi.” I nodded and smiled, hoping the shock didn’t register on my face.

Girlfriend. I’d been a girlfriend before. Never had that status sounded so . . . lasting.

It took twenty minutes to get across the room because every table we passed, someone would stop Knox and compliment him on the meal. Then he’d introduce me as his girlfriend. Over and over. Each time, a shiver raced down my spine.

Until finally we made it to the doors and escaped outside to the snow.

“Let’s just ride together. We’ll get my truck tomorrow.”

“Okay.” I followed his footsteps through the snow to the Volvo in the parking lot.

The storm last week had brought in over twelve inches. It showed no signs of melting. But this early winter was fine by me.

The snow made Quincy even more charming. And in a way, it was like a cocoon, isolating us from the outside world. I still hadn’t heard from my parents, and as the days ticked by, my anxiety ebbed.

Waiting wasn’t easy, but I had plenty of distractions. A baby boy. And my Knox.