A strange rush of envy passed through Gabriel. His lion, too, felt it and let out a whine. Stop being such a pussy, he told his animal. It had been doing that lately, whenever he was around the two.
“Everything go okay?” Damon asked as he made room for Anna Victoria on his side of the booth.
“Move,” J.D. groused at him. “I want to be next to the window.”
With a roll of his eyes, he got up to let her into the booth. J.D. had been one of his best friends since grade school, so he was used to her demeanor. She’d always been one of the guys—not fussy with her looks or clothes, but fiercely loyal, which was why he liked having her as a friend. Most people thought she was dating him or Damon. Gabriel had always thought she was pretty—even if she always dressed in oversized T-shirts and baggy jeans or overalls—with her messy blonde hair and hazel eyes, but they’d known each other so long, it would seem incestuous to date her now.
“Hey, ladies,” Rosie greeted as she came over. “Do you know what you want?”
“I hope you didn’t finish all of the special pies, Russel.” J.D. nodded at the empty plates in front of him.
“They might have one or two left,” he said. “Rosie my love, I gotta tell you, that cantaloupe pie was amazing.”
Rosie chuckled. “Is there any of the new pies you don’t like? You’re here a couple times a week now. People might start talking.”
“There’s just something about them …” He stared at the plates, still puzzled. “They all smell so good and taste heavenly. Like I’ve never known what food was like before.”
“Well, I’ll be sure to tell my girl you like her food.”
“Girl?” His lion’s ears perked up at attention. Rosie had mentioned the first time that she had a new employee making these pies. Why hadn’t he ever asked before? He swung his head back to the kitchen door. “So, your employee … is she still here?” he asked as his heart began to thud in his chest.
“Temperance?” Rosie’s auburn brows knitted together. “Maybe. She doesn’t usually leave until one or two but—oh, scuse me, kiddos.” She nodded at the new arrivals waiting by the door. “I’ll get your order in as soon as I seat them.”
Go. Now.
As if in a trance, he got to his feet, pivoting toward the kitchen. His lion roared, pushing him to move faster until he crashed through the kitchen door.
There was someone shouting behind him, but he couldn’t hear the words. He stood there, unable to move as his gaze fixed on … her.
The woman was bent over the large table, dark brows knitted in concentration as she pushed out dough on the surface with a rolling pin. He could only see part of her face as she was facing sideways. However, she must have just realized he was staring at her as she lifted her head toward him.
As their gazes met, a strong feeling smashed into him. It felt like being struck by lightning, burning the edges of his nerves.
Mine.
And at that moment, his world turned upside down.
Chapter Two
No, no, no!
This was not how it was supposed to happen.
In fact, this was not supposed to happen at all.
Temperance Pettigrew had been careful all these months, making sure she stayed inside the kitchen all the time, but especially when he was here.
He could never see her. Could never see her face.
She’d been so vigilant about keeping out of sight, watching him from behind the tiny window through the kitchen door, that holding onto the fluttering in her chest as he ate each slice of her special creations. Wanting, hoping … but staying far, far away.
And the other day had been too close of a call. She couldn’t help but watch him through the glass window, but then he stood and started walking toward her, and she knew she had to get away before he saw her. So, she dashed back to the pantry and hid, her heart hammering in her chest as she waited for him to leave.
He didn’t know her. Never could know her. But she knew him.
How could she not? All the waitresses whispered and giggled when he was around. Gabriel Russel. How many times had she whispered the name to herself, said it out loud when she was alone at night?
Handsome didn’t even begin to describe him. When Rosie told her a few weeks ago that she had a “fan,” she was curious and looked out of the kitchen door window. Then she saw him.
Dark blond hair that glinted like bronze when sunlight hit it. A face like an angel. She didn’t know what color his eyes were, but now she knew. Blue like the sky on a clear morning.
But what was he doing back here?
“I …” She backed away, turning her face away from him. “You shouldn’t be here!”
He advanced toward her, and she retreated. That didn’t seem to deter him as he continued moving, which in turn made her keep going backward until her butt hit the sink.
“You …” It was a single word, but the timbre of his voice made every hair on her body rise.
She tucked her body in further, face turning away from him. “Please.” He couldn’t see. He could never know. “Please don’t.”
“I thought I was going crazy. I knew there had to be a reason … and now I know.” He reached out to her, but when she shrank away, he dropped his hand to his side. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
Her throat burned even as a thrill went through her at the affectionate nickname. “You need to go.”
“Go?” He chuckled. “Why—”
“Gabriel Russel!” came a hiss from behind them. “What the hell are you doing?”
Temperance hoped he would turn around, and she could make her getaway, but
