More sandwiches are brought in for us, so I take that time to check in with Hannah and Wyatt.
“How are we looking?”
Wyatt just took a large bite of his sandwich so Hannah replies, “I’ve washed and debearded the mussels, and everything’s ready for the fish and chicken. I didn’t cut up the chicken because I know you like to do that. All that’s left is to make the French bread and let it rise and to roast some potatoes.”
“Oh wow. We’re really ahead of schedule then. I still have the duck to contend with and to combine the cassoulet because it’ll need about two hours. Besides the bread, do you want to do the fish and finish the mussels?”
Her eyes widen. “Really?”
I chomp on a couple chips. I’m sure Knox is downing all this salty cholesterol-in-a-bag right now. Focus, Rowan.
“Sure. Why not?”
Wyatt stops scarfing down his sandwich long enough to chime in. “I don’t really have anything else to do so it wouldn’t hurt to practice the drink?”
Uh oh. “Um, okay. Practice?”
He places a hand on my shoulder and moves an inch away from my face. “Don’t worry, it’ll be magnificent.”
I narrow my eyes and stare for a good minute, right there in his face. He doesn’t shrink under my gaze so he must be confident. “Okay. What alcohol are you using? Just curious.”
He stitches his eyebrows together. “Champagne, of course. What else?”
I nod. What else indeed.
At the end of the day, when the judges have spoken, Knox and brothers come out on top this round. Not by as much as we beat them yesterday which I take with some gratification. It’s still a win for them though.
A win for all of us is that Flynn never came back. It will be interesting to see if he has indeed left.
I’m packing my knives into my backpack, when Knox saunters up, grinning. “Good effort today, Amber.” He winks, but it’s not like before. He’s teasing and happy and for once, I’m happy right along with him.
“You too, Everheart.” I lean in a bit closer and check out my surroundings to ensure no one can hear me. “What’re you doing tonight? We have a late call tomorrow.”
He plants his feet but leans all the way back and raises his brows. “Are you asking what I think you’re asking?”
I jerk him back to me by his chef’s jacket which is covered in lots of red and green. “Do you always have to be so loud? Damn. You look like a Christmas stocking by the way.”
“That’s not a clarification, Amber.”
“Probably not thinking the same, but maybe a little light making out if you have the time.”
“I’ll make the time. Are you heading back to the hotel now?”
Smirking, I look around again. “Yes, to change and talk to Lillie, and then out to dinner. Later I’ll be back at the hotel.”
“Oh, okay. With Wyatt and his fiancée?”
I snort, then cover my mouth. “As if. They’ve already left me and headed out on their own. They never want a third wheel. I don’t blame them though.”
Knox glances at the audience where some of the previous contestants are chatting up the presenters.
I follow his line of sight. Maybe he’s looking for his father?
“No Mike tonight?”
Tilting my head, I really study him. Maybe not just jealous. Is Knox insecure? I immediately throw that thought out the window. For as long as I’ve known him, he’s been the most confident person in the whole wide world. Still… “No. I spoke to him earlier. He’s going out with the lovely Dolter sisters tonight.”
He arches his eyebrow.
“I wished him luck.”
“So…dinner on your own, huh?”
Clearly, he’s trying to get an invite. I won’t give him the satisfaction. Some habits die hard. “Yup.”
He sighs. “Since your family left you, do you want to ride back to the hotel with us? Weston’s already in the car downstairs.”
“That’s very nice of you. Love to.”
When he drags into the elevator, I have mercy on him. “Fine, do you want to do dinner?”
“Maybe.”
I just roll my eyes because what else can I do with a pouting Knox. This is definitely new territory. “Okay, how about room service?”
He pulls his sumptuous bottom lip into his mouth and sinks his teeth into the pillowed remains. His eyes darken and his voice deepens. “Maybe.”
I’m transfixed, but the elevator door opens and releases me from my lusty thoughts.
He opens the door to the car and Weston waves frantically. “Hi, Rowan. Are you going with us out to dinner?”
“I hadn’t been invited.” I step into the car and settle next to Weston.
“Well, I’m inviting you?” I think that was a statement of invitation although he looks at Knox. Maybe he doesn’t know we’re not enemies anymore.
Knox smiles, grabs my hand, and kisses it. “She’s always invited.”
Weston…squeals. I really can’t describe it any other way. This six-foot-four man just let out a squeal at his little brother’s pronouncement.
I pat his knee. “It’s just dinner, Weston.” I can’t help but grin at him though. “Where’s Declan?”
Knox looks out through the glass. “Good question.” He pulls his phone out and texts.
A ping comes a moment later and he reads the text, blowing out an exasperated sigh. “He already left. He’s with Dad.” He reaches into his bag and pulls out chips, suspiciously the same as the ones we had earlier. Then he turns to the driver. “Sorry for the wait. My brother’s already gone.”
We drive off, headed to the hotel, and other than rhythmic crunching, Knox is quiet the whole way.
*
Plates of half-eaten food litter every flat surface of Knox’s hotel room. We’re sitting on the floor, reclining our heads against the sofa, thighs touching, completely stuffed, having decided to order room service after all. With Declan’s announcement that he was dining with their father, we decided we’d rather stay in. Mostly because Knox didn’t want to run into Flynn.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
I don’t want to talk about his father. “Only
