The Terrible Chef And The Pie Thief

'Do I need something else? Hell, I need something and it's driving me nuts.' He thought.

Damon heads down the hallway, trying to catch his breath. No matter how hard he tried to remain calm, he couldn't.

Fuck, he had a boner he couldn't even hide it!

He pushed the door to his library open, Patrick was waiting for him already, coat in hand.

“I would like to sign out for today sir. I need to get started on Diaz's new branch as instructed.”

Damon nods, heading towards the huge leather chair tucked under the huge desk that took up most of the room.

Patrick's eyes caught something beneath Damon's grey joggers, is that…

He made eye contact with his boss who knew what he was about to ask.

“Sir..”

“Don't!” Damon warned, cutting him off.

Patrick tried to hide a laugh as he bowed his head politely. “I'll be on my way now sir. And you should try Ms Naomi's pie; it tastes fantastic.”

Before Damon could complain, Patrick was out the door within a blink of an eye.

Damon leaned back on his seat, his eyes on the plate of pie on his table like it could jump at him any time soon.

But she made it for him, what could possibly go wrong?

Damon picks up the spoon and takes a bite of the pie. He paused, feeling the explosive burst of flavor in his mouth.

Delicious. He didn't realize when he finished the whole plate, craving more of this. He tossed the spoon back into the tray in disbelief.

There's no way he ate all that and craved more! What happened to being indifferent until she moved out of his house?

♤♤

Hours go by and Naomi is finally done with the presentation. As much as it looked perfect, she knew Tita would complain about something eventually.

But for now, she's done her best and that's all that matters.

Naomi was ready to head straight to bed and call it a night. Damon walks in quietly, his eyes scanning her in silence.

“Do you need anything?” Naomi asked once more, slightly concerned this time.

Damon has been walking around aimlessly and it was starting to bother her. He pulled a stop, his hand grazing the back of his neck.

“The…the pie.”

“Yes? Do you like it?” Naomi asked, suddenly interested in knowing his thoughts.

Damon shrugs. “You reminded me of the reason why I hired a certified cook.” He said.

She frowned.”It was bad? That can't be right. It's my mother's recipe, and it has never failed.”

Damon shrugs. “I guess you're just a terrible cook.”

Naomi sits up, her eyes fixed on him like he just said the most obnoxious thing she's ever heard.

“I've been making that pie since I was twelve and I can tell you no one has ever complained about it.” She said sternly.

“Well, I am. Maybe the people around you didn't want to hurt your feelings.”

“Or maybe you lack taste buds. That's the only reason why you would think my pie isn't good.”

Damon eyes studied her for a minute, the look in her eyes…how fired up she was. Why the hell does he find it…beautiful?

“The only thought I had after a bite was reinforcing why I hired a world-renowned chef. It's okay, not everyone has…”

Naomi yanked the duvet aside, feeling insulted. This was the only thing she had left of her mother, and she had perfected everything about that recipe. There's no way she's going to let Damon make her feel she didn't do an incredible job!

“I have no problem admitting where I am lacking in skill but this is an insult to me.”

Damon smirked. “You feel insulted.”

“By all degree, yes! And I'm not going to take your review of my pie lightly either.”

“So what do you plan to do? Cause I think I'm pretty much convinced of your skill level.”

“Well, you'll have to think again. I'm going to bake you another one. I will not accept your review unless it's positive.”

Damon sighs, Yes! He's going to get another pie!

“There's no point in doing that. Accept defeat.”

“I'll make you a pie every day for the rest of your life until you can't stand the sight or smell of it!” Naomi snapped.

Hell, he wouldn't mind that at all.

Damon pulls the duvet on his side of the bed, pretending not to care.

“Do whatever you please.”

He settles in, turning away from her with a look of triumph on his face. He didn't even have to do too much and now, he's going to get an endless supply of that lovely pie!

Naomi, on the other hand, couldn't sleep. She was restless.

How could he not love her pie? He would be the very first person to hate it. Could she have messed up the recipe? Added too much salt or sugar? What on earth did she do wrong?

After hours of deliberating, Naomi finally drifted to sleep.

~Next Morning~

Just as Damon is about to head through the front door, Naomi hands him a little lunch bag.

“What is this?”

“The pie? I told you I would make another.” She said simply.

Damon glanced at the little pink bag and the woman handing it over to him. Is she being serious?

“I'm not interested,” Damon said, heading out the door, but Naomi followed him.

“You have to take it! I woke up really early to make this! And I told you I will make them every day until you're sick of it!” Naomi said, a hint of irritation in her voice.

“I don't want it! I didn’t ask you to make it this morning! ” He replied sternly.

“What do you me to do with this then?” She asked.

“Give it to Patrick or something,” Damon said, settling in the passenger seat of his car.

Patrick takes the pink box from her with excitement. It was all his!

“Thank you so much, Ma'am.” Patrick smiled and hurried back to the car before driving off to work.

Silence enveloped the car but Patrick seemed rather excited about the contents of the pink lunch bag.

“Patrick?”

“Sir?”

“Hand the lunch bag over.”

Patrick glances over his shoulder in confusion. “Why? I intend to eat it.”

What if Damon wanted to throw it out the window? He didn't want that to happen!

“My wife made that pie for me so hand it over!” Damon warned.