Chef's Like it Hot! (5 page)

“We so have to get everyone together.” Missanna returned, and they nodded.

“Hey, we totally forgot about the
Tostones
and
Tembleque
.” I said as I got up and left the table
.

“Did you see the look on his face?” Kendra whispered to Missanna, and they laughed.

“Yup, he was always into her, and I mean like
in love
, into her. I never knew why she couldn’t see it. Colin is one hot
mofo
, and I would have made a play for him, but I could always see that he was in love with her.” Missanna said as Colin got up as well and followed Sariekiko into the kitchen.

“I fucken thought so! But I wasn’t sure, because I didn’t hang with you guys when he was around all that much; but I always thought there was something there.”

“Everybody could see it, and I never understood it either.” Rebecca said nodding with a slight frown.

Sariekiko had deserved so much better than that fuck Kellen, and she and Armando used to get into it often because Armando had confided in Rebecca that Kellen was cheating on Sariekiko; and Rebecca wanted to tell Sarie so bad. But Armando said it wasn’t their place to.

“Well, let’s hope this time she isn’t blind to it. Colin was a good guy then, and seems like he hasn’t changed one bit. I couldn’t stand that jerkass Kellen.” Missanna said, Kendra and Rebecca nodding.

“So, what is up with that hot ass chocolate dream Barry Sandy?” Missanna asked Sandra, and she laughed.

                                                                           ***

I looked up as he entered the kitchen.

“I’m sorry if that made you feel uncomfortable, you know how Missa is, and she hasn’t changed one bit in ten years I see.” he laughed, and I nodded, as I busied myself with the
Tostones
and
Tembleque.

“Is something wrong Sarie?” he asked, as he paused my hands, then turned me towards him.

“No, why would you think that?” I replied, turned back to the food, when he turned me back around.

“Because, I feel like I’m making you uncomfortable.” he said quietly, then lifted my chin so that I could look him in the eyes.

“You just make me hella nervous.” I returned breathless, my eyes widened, and I could have slapped myself.

His eyes widened as well, then this grin I couldn’t describe spread across his features.

I moved away from him, and cleared my throat.

“Would you be a dear and hand me the whipped cream from the fridge?” I asked, but he didn’t say anything.

I turned to look at him, he seized me, sat me on the counter, stepped between my thighs; and the kiss he laid on me took my breath away.

His fingers traced the side of my face, as he drew me deeper into the kiss, and the moan left me of its own accord. He drew his other hand through my hair, pausing at the nape of my neck, to draw me even further into the kiss. He sucked on my bottom lip, then slowly released it. 

He stepped back from me, picked up both the
Tostones
and
Tembleque,
then looked at me.

“I never forgot that kiss.” he stated, I gasped, and he walked out of the kitchen.

I drew my trembling hand to my lips, and sat there for several moments attempting to catch my breath.

I had never in my life been kissed like that!

I looked up as Kendra came into the kitchen.

She gave me a puzzled look because I was sitting on the counter, then it was as if a light went off in her head, and she started laughing.

“Get that.” She said, grabbed the rum bottle and sauntered out of the kitchen.

It took me several minutes to compose myself, before I could go back into the dining room.

When I did, he grinned at me, then nodded to the chair next to him; but I shook my head nodding to the others.

Unfortunately, Missanna caught our little exchange, and laughed.

                                                                 ***

By the time they started filing out of the house, I was good and wasted.

He was the last to leave, as he helped me clean up.

“You so don’t have to do that.” I said as I raked out the
Pyrex
dish, then rinsed it so that I could put it in the dishwasher.

“I’m good, plus it gives us time to talk about Saturday and Sunday. I see you tried your hand at some of the staples?” he said as he poured the last of the
Coquito
into his glass, then rinsed the pitcher to put it into the dishwasher as well.

“Yea, I think you might need to pass of the
Tembleque
to Kerry. He was always so much better at it than I was. He has the patience for it.” I muttered, as I tossed the last of it into the trash.

“They didn’t seem to complain.” he laughed nodding to the almost empty pan.

“No, but mine is pretty mediocre compared to Kerry’s, just trust me on this.” I returned, and he nodded sipping the drink.

God, his presence seemed to take up my entire kitchen, and I was having trouble breathing.

If he gave me one more look like that, I swear I wouldn’t be liable for what I did!

“So, where have you kept yourself these last six years?” he asked, as he wiped off the counter, put the sponge on the counter top, and I turned out the light as the dishwasher started.

“Well, I was teaching at
Pepperdine
, but with budget cuts, mine was one of the departments they decided to push off; so here I am.” I said, as I motioned to the sofa.

“Sounds exciting.” he said, I raised a brow at him, and he chuckled.

“Well, all except for the letting go part.”

“And you?”

“Kevin and I started this little start up culinary business about 8 years ago. It was rocky, but we’re in the top five now, so things have been going awesome this last year. We took 2
nd
place, and although
Fine Eats
gets the call first, we’re definitely giving them a run for their money.” he stated proudly, and I was genuinely happy for him.

Colin was a wonderful guy, he deserved every success he got.

“So no husband?” he asked, and I almost choked, then started laughing.

“Me, married? As if, could you really see that?” I countered, and he laughed.

“If the right guy came along, anything’s possible.” he said with a wink, and I got that feeling again.

I quickly looked into the bottom of my glass.

“And no wife for you?” I asked, and could see in my peripheral that he shook his head.

“Nope, only been in love with one women in my life time.” he stated frowning slightly.

“Really?” I asked looking up surprised.

“Yup.”

“Well what happened, did you ever tell her? You guys get together?”

“No, it was pretty complicated.” he said softly, and I nodded.

“Oh.” I returned as I got up, and snapped the top on one of the
Shock Tops
. I offered it to him, and he took it.

The fruitiness would keep me in line with the
Coquitos
, so I wouldn’t have a hangover tomorrow.

I turned the
IPod
on, then flopped back on the sofa.

We both looked at it as
Alina Baraz
seeped into the room.

Fantasy was one of my favorite songs
, and as I looked at him; I made my wish.

“So what’s up with your friend Kevin? I sensed that he was feeling Missa?” I laughed, and he did too.

“Yea, but Kevin is too white for Missa.” he laughed, and I did to.

Then gasped.

“What do you mean?”

“Missa would have his ass sprouting love ballads, Shakespeare, giving her bank account numbers, homes and shit in a couple of weeks if she actually put it on him!” he cried, and I laughed, then frowned.

“How do you know?” I asked before I could stop it, and he looked at me.

I looked away, and was about to get up, when he caught my wrist.

“No I did not. DaVon talks too much.” he stated smiling, and I nodded, but he had yet to release my wrist.

I looked at his hand, and he released me sighing.

“So who’s the job for on Sat and Sun, and why two days? Although with this weather, Catalina is boss at this time of the year. Not too hot, and not too cold.” I asked as I came back to the sofa with some freshly fried Tortilla chips and salsa.

I never ate that store bought crap.

I made a special trip to
Cardena’s
just for them.

“Oh, I thought
Culinary
brought you up to speed?” I shook my head, and he frowned.

“It’s Sandy and Barry’s wedding!” he cried, and I gasped.

“
WTF
, how come I wasn’t informed. And Sandy, why didn’t she say anything?”

“She probably assumed since I was here, you already knew.”

“But I didn’t even get to say congrats!” I wailed, and he smiled.

“I’m sure you can call her tomorrow. I guess I should shove off.” he said rising, and I nodded as I rose too.

“Have dinner with me tomorrow night?” he asked as he leaned in the door, and I laughed.

“Shouldn’t this be strictly business?” I asked, and he laughed.

“It is, you don’t work for me. You work for
Culinary
, and I just borrowed your contract.” he said, and I laughed again.

“Fine, what time?” I sighed, trying not to grin from ear to ear.

“My place at 7:45, I’ll text you the addy.” he said, kissed my cheek, then sauntered off before I could say anything.

He waved as he pulled off, and I sighed.

What would I do?

That kiss was remarkable, and I had been waiting for ten years to receive another.

The kiss ten years ago was incredible, but the one tonight; showed just how much he’d grown into his manhood.

Shit, he would have me sprung and begging that he never leave me; if he kept kissing me like that.

But I grinned as I remembered his reaction to me as well.

I brushed off my shoulders grinning as Nicki Minaj & Beyonce’s
“Fellin Myself”
spun into the room.

Chapter Four…

Hollywood California…

I slept in, woke about noon, stretched, then piddled around the house. I cleaned the dining room, straightened the living room, then went to take a shower.

As I got out, then cleared the mirror, it struck me that I would be having dinner at Colin’s house tonight.

I gasped, then freaked.

I quickly got dressed, then reached for my phone on the nightstand.

She answered on the third ring.

“Hey, I was just about to go to lunch, wanna meet?”

“Yes, where?” I said frantically, and she responded.

“I was heading to
Canterbury’s
, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I’ll see you there in a few minutes.” I said and hung up.

I put my hair up, put a little power on my face, lips gloss, then headed out the door.

I was so distracted; I didn’t even notice Oliver in his front window lifting weights.

Nor did I see the frown on his face because I ignored him.

Cantabury’s

Fairfax District…

I was frowning as I pulled up, and the smile left her face as she saw me.

“What’s wrong?” She asked, and I sighed as I linked my arm with hers, and we walked into the restaurant.

“Nothing, I’m just a lil wigged, because Colin asked me to dinner at his house tonight, and me like an idiot said yes.” I sighed as I sat down, and the server immediately placed two menus on the table.

“Can I get you ladies something to drink?” She asked smiling, and I nodded.

“I’ll have a tall
Oj
for now.”

“I’ll have a tall cranberry.” Kendra said, the server nodded and left.

“Okay, but why is that bad?” Kendra countered, and I sighed again.

“If I have dinner with him, then my brain will automatically expect stuff.” I moaned, and she laughed.

“And I ask again, why is that a bad thing. Not to mention, how do you know that his doesn’t either? He wouldn’t have asked you to dinner if he didn’t.”

“I know, but what if it doesn’t work out Kenny!”

“Okay, but you aren’t even giving it a chance Sarie, you’re already looking for the bad points; so you can psyche yourself up for the let down.” Kendra cried, and I sighed as I looked at the menu.

“I’m not sure I could come back from him Kenny.” I whispered, and it was her turn to sigh.

“And I don’t think he could either. There is more to Colin than you’re giving him credit for. Go, have a good time, and just leave it there sweetie.”

I nodded, then looked up at the server as she came back with our drinks.

“I’ll have the Buffalo chicken sandwich, with the green bean fries, and potato salad.” I said, she nodded looking at Kendra.

“Man, that sounds good. I’ll have the same with extra Buffalo sauce.”

The server took both menus, then left us.

“So, what’s next on the menu?” Kendra asked as she sipped her drink.

“Jamaican, and I see why the Puerto Rican food too. I had no fucken clue that I was doing Sandy and Barry’s wedding!”

“Omg, I thought you knew. When’s the last time you looked at your fricken mail Sar?” She cried, and I cringed.

I had been so out of it lately. I mean I knew they were engaged; hell I went to the engagement party. But I hadn’t realized that they had firmly set a date. I sure as hell had no clue that they had stayed in contact with Colin. I was going to kick Barry’s ass when I saw him!

I began to wonder what Sandy’s parents would feel when they saw the menu. I could totally see that Barry’s mother had no doubt coerced Sandra about the menu.

Barry’s mother is Puerto Rican and his father Jamaican.

Dominating, overbearing didn’t even cover Barry’s mother.

I had never seen a more kicked back individual than Barry’s dad, and I suddenly chuckled to myself as his favorite line coursed through my brain,
“Simmer down gurl,”
he would tell his wife, and she would just roll her eyes at him.

“Anyway, you may as well do the invites now; because I’ll be cooking Friday to get ready for Sat.” I sighed, and she nodded.

“So you’re gonna go, and not cancel on him at the last minute right?” She asked, and I grinned slightly; she knew me so fucken well. “Don’t do that to him Sar, he isn’t like the assholes you usually date!” Kendra wailed, and I frowned.

“And that’s the problem!” I wailed back, and her frown deepened as the server brought our food.

“Which is exactly why you running. Fuck Sariekiko, it’s time to stop running!” She hissed, and I looked at her surprised.

“Fine. What should I wear, and should I treat this like a date?”

“Of course, he asked you to dinner; still date. Now, I really liked that sundress you wore last night, it would have been perfect if you hadn’t worn it.”

“I got two, a red one too.” I sighed, but she shook her head.

“No, he’s already seen that look. What time did he say?”

“7:45.”

“Okay, good.” She said, picked up her phone, and I frowned. “Yea, he asked her to dinner.” She said into the phone, and I could hear the squealing and rolled my eyes.

“Yea, 7:45. Okay, I’ll take the rest of the day off.
Sephora
, then
H&M
. Okay.” Kendra said, then hung up.

“And that was?” I frowned already knowing, and she laughed.

“An intervention, now hurry up.” She said nodding to my food, and I gave her the finger.

Kendra ran her own advertising agency, so she was on her own time. And I assumed that she’d called Missanna.

Beverly

Center…

An hour later, they were pretty much dressing me, and everything I picked out, they vetoed.

As I walked into
Sephora
, the sales person immediately seized me, and began showing me their new lines.

I frowned at both Kendra and Missanna, and they laughed.

After 30minutes, I’d had enough, and walked out the door.

“Fine, let’s go.” Missanna said pulling me in the direction of
Body Works
.

Now this I liked.

When they pulled me in the direction of Victoria Secrets, I jerked away from then saying no!

Like they would actually listen to me, because they pulled me into the store anyway!

By 5:30, I was so ready to go, and they agreed.

When we reached my house, Missanna shoved me towards the shower, and I complied both sighing and complaining.

20minutes later, she pulled out the flat iron, and Kendra took out the make-up pallet, and there was nothing I could do, but what they said.

***

At 7pm I looked into the mirror astonished.

I looked at both of them wide-eyed, and they both gave me self satisfied grins nodding at their work.

It was as though another person all together stared back at me. As I ran my hand over my hair, I was shocked at how silky and straight it was.

I was used to my unruly curls.

“New Year, new look.” Kendra said, and I nodded, still speechless.

“Shoes.” Missanna said, and I took the shoes from her, frowned a bit at their height, but put them on anyway.

“Aight, we out. Call us both, in da monin.” Missanna crackled, and I wrinkled my nose, then gave her the finger.

They both kissed my cheek, then headed for the front door.

After they left, I just stared at myself.

Crazy!

I don’t think I’d ever looked this good in my life, and I loved it!

I picked up my phone, searched for his text, then
Gps
the address.

Wow, it would take me 30minutes to get there
.

I realized as I saw that he lived in the canyons.

Fuck!

I hated driving the canyons at night, I always got lost!

Seizing my purse, jacket, and phone, I left the apartment.

Ventura

County…

When I pulled up to the house, I let out a low whistle.

Danm, that second spot was boss obviously!

I thought chuckling to myself.

This was a very nice house!

I smoothed down my hair, then my dress as I got out of the car. I figured since it was his house, it would be okay to park in the driveway, locked the doors, then walked up the small steps leading to the front door.

I took a deep breath, then frowned as I heard angry voices.

“Because we’ve discussed this over and over Titianna! Why are you even here? I never once told you that I loved you! In fact I told you that I probably never could, because of her!” he yelled at someone, and my hand paused on the doorbell.

That sounded like a lovers spat
, as the women replied.

“Of course we have, why, because you’re fucken in love with some gotdamned ghost Colin! She isn’t real, and she doesn’t fucken love you like I do. Where is she? Where the fuck has she been for the last two years? Where, obviously not giving a fuck about you!”

Ooh shit
, my brain cried as someone was coming to the door.

I wasn’t fast enough because of the fucken stilettos Missanna made me wear, and the door was snatched open in my face.

Both he and I stood there wide-eyed and open mouth.

The smile he gave me, would have under any other circumstances melted me right there, but as he reached for me, I immediately turned and fled.

“Sarie!” he yelled, but I just waved, as the women suddenly came onto the porch to gape and glare at me.

I backed out his drive, then hit the gas.

I was soo not getting involved in that shit!

My brain cried, as my phone began ringing.

I flicked the screen to ignore, frowning.

Why would I think that he was different
, I sighed.

Men were all the same, and for some strange reason; I wasn’t even upset about it. However, I did feel like kicking Kendra and Missanna’s asses!

I would have never set myself up to have a good time if it weren’t for those two bitches.

I sighed again, then flicked the phone to ignore again.

When I reached the light before the freeway, I just put the phone on silent. I needed to collect my thoughts before I spoke to him. I wasn’t exactly angry at him, because obviously from the woman’s words, they were no longer together. I just wasn’t sure if I wanted to deal with drama, something she seemed like she brought.

Especially since it was pretty obvious that she showed up to his house unannounced.

I guessed it was a good thing, because for the last ten years, I had assumed Colin had no flaws, and that just wasn’t fair. Everyone had flaws; we just needed to decide if they were slight enough for us to put up with.

Hollywood…

I sighed as I exited the freeway 30minutes later.

When I reached my apartment, I sighed again as I retrieved my stuff, then headed up the stairs.

I saw Ollie, and rushed up the stairs.

“Damn Sar!” he cried, and I laughed waving.

“Later Ollie.” I called as I rushed into my apartment.

I was so not going there with him.

However, I did notice the look of astonishment on his face. It was crazy, but I would swear later, that the look he gave me implied something other than lust.

I just needed to ignore it and him.

                                                                              *

Oliver looked at Sariekiko’s door, frowned, then sighed.

For the last two months, his mind kept reverting to Sarie, and he couldn’t seem to concentrate, or understand why.

He didn’t do relationships, but every time he saw her now, his brain seemed to reside in that thought continually.

He’d kicked himself mentally ever since the last time they’d slept together, because he realized that he actually had feelings for her months ago. Feelings, which would call for a permanent revoking of his playa card!