6

CAL

I hadn’t heard from Lucy in almost a week, something that bothered me more than I thought it would. I thought if I left her alone, she’d change her mind about the job offer.

I thought that she’d come to the right conclusion and come to work for me.

Apparently, she isn’t in the mood to make the right choice.

Jude excitedly looks between Lucy and me, clearly having the time of his life with his front-row seat to the disagreement between us.

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose between my thumb and pointer finger. “I don’t understand why you won’t accept my offer. It’s exactly what you want and is the logical choice.”

Lucy plasters on a fake smile. I don’t miss how her eyes soften slightly when she looks at a snickering Jude. A pang of annoyance runs through me at the way she glances at him. Maybe I shouldn’t have forced Jude to tag along with me to convince her.

I bet if it was Jude offering her the job, she’d accept immediately.

I brush the irritating thought away when her eyes meet mine again, they’re narrowed and full of defiance. She lets out a long sigh, not bothering to hide her annoyance with me. “You don’t have to understand, Mr. Hastings. It’s my decision, after all.”

Even though her words are frustrating, I can’t help but smirk. Her stubbornness is frustratingly endearing. Unfortunately for her, the more she refuses the job, the more I want to convince her to accept it.

“What drinks can I get started for you two?” Lucy changes the subject effortlessly, making the tone of her voice sickeningly sweet as she focuses her attention on Jude.

The bastard eats it up. I know the moment she leaves our table, he’s going to hound me to know more. “Oh, I’ll just take water for now. We had our fair share of beer on the course.”

Lucy nods, her eyes finding me. “And for you?”

I lean back in my seat as I run my hands down my thighs. This little game with her is far too amusing. “Water for me too, please.” I emphasize the word, hoping to remind her of our conversation last week.

A choking sound comes from Jude. “Did you just say please?”

My lips twitch as I look at my friend for a moment. “I did. Trying to be more polite so Lucy will accept my offer.”

Jude’s wide eyes meet Lucy’s. “Cal’s been my best friend since boarding school. I can’t recall a time I’ve heard him say please. I don’t know what’s going on here, but you should accept his offer.”

Lucy frowns. “Just because someone uses manners for once doesn’t mean they can get whatever they want.”

Jude lifts a shoulder as he moves his head from side to side in thought. “I see your point, but Cal’s very determined. If he’s saying please, it’s only a matter of time until he’ll have you working for him.”

Lucy’s eyes meet mine as I lift my shoulders and shrug. “I really want you to come work for me, Lucy.”

She lets out a disgruntled sigh as she shakes her head. “I’ll go grab your waters.” She turns to leave, but I can’t let her go. Not yet.

Before I can think better of it, I reach out and grab her. My fingers gently wrap around her wrist, applying just enough pressure to get her to stop for a moment. Her skin is soft and warm underneath my touch. I ignore the way the small connection sends a rush of heat through my entire body. “Have you at least considered it?” I ask, needing to know the answer.

Lucy looks at my fingers around her wrist. She stares at where our skin meets for a few moments before she looks up at me.

I’m surprised she doesn’t pull out of my grasp. I don’t pull away either, wondering why it doesn’t feel wrong to feel her skin against mine.

The long strands of her hair glide along her back as she slowly nods and sighs. “Yes. I’ve thought about it,” she finally responds.

A genuine smile takes over my lips. “Good.” If she’s been thinking about it, it’s only a matter of time until she accepts. I’ll make sure of it. I drop her wrist and say nothing else, letting her walk away to get our waters.

A few seconds go by before Jude clears his throat. “I must know more about Lucy.” I close my eyes for a moment and throw my head back, wishing I’d showed up at Pembroke Grill alone so my best friend didn’t bear witness to me practically begging Lucy to accept a job as my chef.

When I open my eyes, I find his gaze pinned on me. His eyebrows are practically to his hairline as he waits for me to respond. I want to avoid his question altogether and instead reach across the table and wipe the shit-eating grin right off his face.

“Lucy’s a phenomenal chef, and I want her to prepare my meals for the summer,” I reluctantly answer, steepling my fingers underneath my chin. He doesn’t need to know how much her telling me no has gotten under my skin. “That’s all there is to know.”

Jude slowly nods, his lips stretched wide in a grin. “I’ve always thought Randall was a great cook.”

“Well, Randall is getting some deserved paid time off.”

The problem with having a childhood best friend is they can read you like an open book. I’ve always taken pride in being able to keep a poker face, especially since in my career, being unreadable is a must. It’s key for you to be able to read anyone while you yourself stay completely unreadable. Yet Jude doesn’t even have to open his mouth for me to know he sees right through all of my bullshit.

“Tell me the real reason you’re hell-bent on getting that cute server to be your private chef.”

I grunt, hating the way he called her cute. Cute doesn’t even begin to describe her. She’s breathtaking, with her big brown eyes that are hard to look away from and her high cheekbones that are pink from the sun.

“Don’t talk about her that way,” I scold, running my hand over my mouth.

He raises his arms defensively. “Since when do you care if I call someone cute?”

“She’s Ollie’s ex-girlfriend…and my future chef.”

“Ah.” Jude’s eyebrows pull in on his forehead as he thinks my response over carefully. “You still haven’t answered me.”

I narrow my eyes at him. He doesn’t normally question me about things. Of course, he chooses this instance to analyze something I want.

“Her food is incredible, and Thomas was also impressed. So when he asked if she was looking for something more permanent for the summer, I got the idea that she should be my private chef instead of anyone else’s.”

“And when you get an idea in your head, there’s nothing that stops you.”

This makes me smile as relief washes over me. I know him well enough to know that’ll be enough explanation for him—at least for now. “Exactly.”

He reaches out to clap me on the back. “I’m looking forward to watching this play out. She’s not convinced so easily, is she?”

I bark out a laugh. “I gave her my card a week ago and told her I’d pay double whatever Thomas offered. Haven’t heard from her all week.”

“So that’s why you were determined to sit in her section? So you could talk to her again?”

“Yes, I thought after thinking about it for a week, she’d say yes when I asked her again. I was obviously wrong.”

Jude runs his hand through the short strands of his light brown hair. “I like her already.”

I fall back in my chair with a sigh. I don’t tell him I’ve only had two encounters with her this summer, and I’m right there with him…there’s something about her that intrigues me.

Even though I know I probably shouldn’t be.