Abby I push through the swinging doors into the already bustling kitchen of Adam’s restaurant, the rich and familiar scents enveloping me like a warm hug. My staff look up with a mixture of surprise and excitement to see me striding in so early. “Abby!” Daisy spots me first, her face lighting up
Abby I turn the plain white business card over in my fingers for at least the dozenth time, still conflicted. In the week since that bizarre encounter with the man named Damon, I’ve agonized endlessly over whether to accept his cryptic catering offer. On one hand, the opportunity could be a huge
Oblivious to my internal crisis, Karl continues scanning the article details. “You said that he told you he’s been watching you since the cook-off,” he says. “Royalty is weird like that. If they want something, then it becomes… the entire world to them.” There’s a suggestive note to Karl’s rumblin
Abby As I chop the vegetables for tonight’s special at the restaurant, my mind is elsewhere. I haven’t stopped thinking about my phone call with the prince’s secretary this morning. A week-long catering event for foreign royalty promises the opportunity of a lifetime—but also means an exhausting
When I finish, she lets out a slow breath before responding. “Prince Damon keeps notoriously out of the public eye but comes from ancient nobility. You should be quite secure under his protection.” I release an anxious tension I didn’t realize I was holding in my shoulders. Officer Martinez cont
Abby I nestle contentedly against Karl’s side, our bare skin still ever so slightly damp from sweat as our breathing returns to normal. These moments alone together seem to pass cruelly fast lately, especially knowing that we’ll be apart for a week. But I shove the gloomy thoughts away for now,
Karl barks out a laugh and hops up off of the bed, whirling toward the mirror. I watch in awe and humor as he flexes his biceps, smirking at himself. Our eyes meet in the reflection and I can’t deny the heat that’s crept up into my cheeks. “You mean like this?” His grin turns wicked. “I guess I co
Abby “You need to bring this with you.” Looking at the strange little vial in Karl’s hand, my eyebrows knit together of their own accord. “What… What’s that?” I ask, although I think I already know the answer. Karl looks at me for a long time, as though he’s struggling to find the right word