Page 26 of The Catch

"We both know why."

"Okay, fine." She wrinkles her nose like she doesn't want to admit it. "The important part is I'm coming back now. You won't mind if I perfect a couple recipes here in your kitchen, will you?"

I raise an eyebrow and smile. "As long as you share."

The light above us shines on her hair. The lamps behind me in the living room glint in her eyes. It wouldn't take much to imagine we're dining in the candlelight, if I let myself fantasize about it.

She grins. "All right. It's only fair. I do have a generous spirit."

"Excellent. Extra special, because I'm getting my smiles now, too, Amy. Just look at that."

Uff. Someone could read a lot into those words, or the wistful tone with which they come. Like how much I want her happiness. With a little imagination, they would predict her smile still pulls at me like day one.

She doesn't.

She laughs. "Careful asking for smiles, Gael. We already had that conversation."

"I'm just pleased you're doing better." I purse my lips. "Right? You are?"

"Slowly getting there. I'm still confused and whatever I feel in the morning might totally change by the evening. It's better, though. I think."

She casts her eyes to her plate and gets busy making precise cuts on her chicken.

I suck on my bottom lip. "Come to the TD. Remind my friends you're incredible and are accepting clients. It will help."

She doesn't look up at me but nods.

Later, as I lay down alone in my bed, I can't help but think that having Ames around is tempting me with things I taught myself not to want. Knots are getting untied, and it scares me to think of what happens next.

Chapter 10

Ames

It's early December and less than a month since I moved in with Saint. I have yet to find a new big catering client. My days are a mix of admin and a desperate search, and blissful cooking. Who knew that losing the most important contract I had would give me the time to lose myself creating new recipes? But it did, and now I spend a few hours coming up with new flavor profiles, and translating them into something my employees can make for our current clients. Good news, they've been praising the new recipes. It's encouraging.

A long time ago, I hoped to build a secure, established business that worked seamlessly on its own. I would grow it until I could hire a business manager and a kitchen manager. When the right time came, I would step aside and focus on cooking again, creating meals that brought people together. Some I would repurpose for my catering business. Some I would share with the world somehow.

That future seems further away today than it did when I signed the contract for my kitchen three years ago.

I sigh. At least, I'm creating new recipes, and they are the perfect marketing tools to get new clients. I arrive with a bunch of them at the Strike's training facility.

I park the van in the right spot of the TD parking lot and get an insulated food carrier out. It's a cold day. I'm close to the building's main doors, but the freezing wind prompts me to rush inside. Right as I enter the building, Evie makes it out of the elevator in the back of the hall.

"There you are!" she exclaims. "Can I help you with the carrier?"

"No, no, just lead the way!"

"I'm so happy to see you." She turns to the hallway that connects to the training area. "How are you doing?"

I've been to the Thunderdome before, but I'm thankful for her presence. She offered to meet me as soon as I reached out to ask for permission to bring a treat. I hadn't wanted to create issues of any kind by being impulsive and not only did she assure me it was a great idea, she insisted on being my bodyguard.

They'll swarm you, she said.They're hungry after training.

Images of Saint preying on me fill my head with no warning.

"I'm okay." My voice is a bit shaky. "Trying to come up with a plan."

"Did Saint tell you about the TV show yet?"