Page 25 of Loving Kai

Abe and Maggie came through the front door and removed their wet coats. Abe turned his hat around backward and went to talk to Luke in the kitchen.

“I tried Gentry, but the phones were out. Did you get a hold of him this morning?”

“I drove by his house. The kids are pretty freaked out by the storm. He’s going to stay home unless we really need him.”

Even though they were the only restaurant in town able to open, Abe doubted too many people would want to venture out into the storm, even if it meant a hot meal.

“We should be fine.” He watched Maggie set and light candles on the tables. When she turned to look at him, he smiled and gave her a wave.

Luke cocked his head. “What was that?”

“What was what?” He stepped away from Luke and went to the walk-in. When he came out with a five-gallon bucket in each hand, Maggie was right outside the door.

“Oh, whoops. Do you have that?”

He held up a bucket. “Are you offering to help?”

“No. Carry on.”

One of the buckets had potato soup that had been made yesterday. He carried both buckets to the counter next to the stove and set them down. Maggie came up next to him with a large pot.

“Here, let me help.”

Together they filled the pot from the bucket and set it on the stove. Abe glanced at Luke, who was watching them. Abe returned the bucket to the walk-in while Maggie turned on the heat under the pot and stirred the soup.

Abe returned to the stove. “I’ve got this. Go finish setting up the dining room.”

She smiled. “Yes, sir.”

He pointed at her. “Just go.”

Luke walked up to Abe and slapped his arm with the back of his hand.

Abe turned to him. “Dude. What?”

Luke grabbed Abe’s arm and pulled him to the storage area in the back of the kitchen. “What’s going on?”

“What do you mean?”

“You two are working together, and there was definitely some flirting going on.”

Abe scowled. “You’re crazy.”

“Am I? When is the last time you two did something together?” He tapped his lips with a finger. “Oh yeah. Never.”

Abe pulled a box of candles from the wire rack. “That’s not true, and there was no flirting. Why would I want to flirt with Maggie?”

Luke cocked his head. “Exactly.” He scowled, then shook his head. “Abe, you idiot.”

“What?”

“You slept with her.”

Abe scoffed and took a step back. “No, I didn’t.” He glanced at Maggie, then looked at Luke. “I didn’t.” Luke folded his arms across his chest, and Abe sighed. “Fine. I did.”

“Dammit, Abe.”

“It’s not what you think.”