I also find it ironic because Chase would freaking love these pastries. They’re head and shoulders better than the assembly line pastries I used to make at the resort.
I’m grateful that the place is busy today, it keeps the time moving by quickly. Trying not to think about Chase turns out to be a productive place for me. Before I know it, I’m filling up the freezer with several days’ worth of gorgeous pastries.
Feeling accomplished, I slide the last tray into place and walk back to my area of the kitchen. I glance down at my watch. Day one is almost over. I guess it’ll be back to my apartment to eat ramen noodles and watch television tonight. It isn’t much, but it’s familiar. And it’s mine.
I clean up my area, organizing everything for tomorrow.
Chapter Sixty-Seven
Chase
As soon as I leave Banana Burger and start researching new French restaurants by the ocean, my phone buzzes again. It’s Fred. The real estate deal got approved. All I have to do is drive across town and sign the papers.
I get in and tell Raymond the address. Things are finally looking up. Now I know where Kaylee is. And when I find her, I’ll have the keys to the cottage.
As soon as I sign the papers, I continue searching for new French restaurants. Bingo. There’s a little place called Ooh Lala. And I’m in luck, it’s not far from here.
Raymond gets us there in a hurry. I have him park on the street out of the way since I want to surprise her.
As I exit the car, the knot in my stomach returns. I can’t remember ever being this nervous.
I walk through the parking lot in the heat of the afternoon sun and pause outside the door. Here goes nothing. My chest tightens. I open the door and go in.
A little bell chimes as I enter. Customers mill around, and I’m happy for the cover. My eyes dart around the room but I don’t see her. Maybe she’s in the back somewhere.
I try to figure out what to do next. Then I hear the door open behind me and I have to decide. Do I order to-go and hope I see her while I’m waiting?
When I do see her, what then? Do I ask her to take a break like I did before? That didn’t work out so well for her last time.
There’s a throat-clearing sound behind me and I get out of the way to let the other customers pass. As soon as they walk past me, I see Kaylee. She crosses from a back room in a chef’s coat. She’s adorable in a chef’s coat. It makes me smile.
I should call out, run to her, something. But I can’t. Suddenly I can’t speak at all. This is not right. It can’t happen like this.
And then, as soon as she appeared, she’s gone again. Seeing her solidified in my mind all of the things I want to say to her, all the things I want to be for her. But not like this. I can do better than this.
Suddenly I have a better idea and I know what to do. Step one is to quietly slip out the door. Step two is to check the hours on the outside of the restaurant so that I can time this right.
Making my way back to the car, I have a spring in my step and a purpose now. I get in and close the door.
“Where to now, boss?” Raymond asks, turning back to look at me.
“To the Beaky Tiki. And hurry, I don’t have much time.”
When I get there, I’m hot, sweaty, and out of breath. I approach the bar as nervous as hell because I know that everything has to go right in order for this to work.
Luckily, the waitress who hates me is working right now. She gives me a death glare, but I smile broadly.
“Get lost,” she says.
“I’m so happy to see you,” I reply. She didn’t see that coming and her expression changes from angry to confused. “Please, let me explain.”
“What is there to explain?” She asks. Then she turns and rummages behind her, like she did the night that Kaylee and I met. She turns back around with the knife in her hand.
I hold up my hands to her, remembering what Kaylee said about her being a professional knife thrower.
“I think you should get lost.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” I say. “Listen, I come in peace. In fact, I’m here to make amends.”
She raises an eyebrow at me and puts the knife down. “Oh yeah? Convince me.”
Grateful for an opportunity to explain myself, I sit down and fill her in on everything.
“What do you say, will you help?” I ask. Then I realize that I’m holding my breath and hope like hell she agrees. If this is going to work, I really need her help.
In the end, she smiles and nods.
I can’t believe it. I tell her how grateful I am. Then I remember something. “Oh yeah, and how much would it be to purchase one of your fine coconut monkeys? Specifically that green one over there on the end?”
Chapter Sixty-Eight
Kaylee
I finish up my shift at Ooh Lala and head out on my trek back to my apartment. A trek I now regret that I have to take. It seemed like a good idea this morning, but tomorrow I am going to drive for sure.
I’m surprised about how much my thoughts keep going back to Chase today. As much as I want to hate him after yesterday’s events, I just can’t. A part of me is surprised he didn’t leave yesterday like he planned. The idea of him still running around the resort, around town, makes me a little crazy.
I know I have to let it go, but it’s hard when I can still see that dimpled face. All the things we did together come flooding back. And then I have to fight back tears.
In the end, it doesn’t
