Chloe sighed. Okay, so Natalie was giving her shit, and yeah, Chloe probably sounded crazy. But this was bad. “You know I don’t do commitment, Nat.”
She raised a brow. “You’re committed to this place. Committed to the town and your mama’s memory. I’d say you do it fine.”
“I mean commitment with a man. I just…don’t.” The thought alone gave her hives, and even though Gage was banging in the sack—literally—three weeks was treading into dangerous waters. Because she didn’t need to like him beyond their arrangement. Didn’t need him, period.
At least, she didn’t want to need him. She was already sold on his brand of passion. No reason to complicate things more with feelings, long term, or dating.
“Besides, you said it, I’m committed to Beaufort. Gage comes and goes. Even if I wanted more, which I don’t”—unless it involved him naked—“he’s not the guy.”
In fact, he was the exact wrong guy. She’d seen what getting hung up waiting for her dad had done to her mother.
Working at the restaurant, honoring her mother’s business and dream, those were what she took seriously. The restaurant was her home. Her career. Her life. But it had taken a dip a few years ago when her mother had gotten cancer. The famous menu she’d handcrafted had been condensed to the things Chloe knew she could provide at the same high quality, but it wasn’t enough. Without her mother’s passion and charm, business was slipping.
Chloe’s mission was to turn Honey’s around and bring back the staple foods her mother had been famous for. She wasn’t going anywhere, and she also wasn’t signing up for three weeks of blurred lines with Gage. She wouldn’t run the risk of developing expectations when attraction was more than enough with him.
Natalie put a flour-caked hand on Chloe’s shoulder. “I feel for you. And I understand. Doesn’t mean I agree with your decision to stay away from the hottie. Did you see his butt?”
Chloe laughed. Yeah, she’d seen it. Gage McGraw was as fine and strong as they came.
“There’s too much going on to even think about more than sex.”
Natalie raised an eyebrow. “Too much going on?”
Chloe nodded. “The twentieth anniversary for the restaurant is in a couple of weeks, and I’m still adjusting to running this place.”
Even though her mother had passed two years ago, Chloe still struggled to take over everything left to her. Her life was full and busy—and she was failing. She’d never be Mary “Honey” Franklin. Her mother had been strong, kind and good at everything she tried. So sweet that everyone called her “Honey.” Which was how the restaurant got its name.
Natalie leaned in. “If you know what you want, and you’re set, then stick with it. Sometimes you have to cheat at his rules or play by your own.”
That got Chloe’s attention real quick. It made sense. She wanted Gage; Gage wanted her. Should be simple. But he was throwing this “get to know you” bit into the mix. If she wanted him, she’d have to play dirty and be prepared to run after him before he caught her and tied her to a table for dinner talk.
“I don’t want to stay away from him, I just don’t want to hang out with him,” Chloe said.
“Well don’t hold back, sweetheart,” a gruff voice said behind her. Chloe turned and found Gage standing at the end of the bar. His dark eyes stared holes right through her, and she fought the urge to blush.
He was the only man who ever made her come close to feeling giddy. He had a pull on her emotions, and she needed to get them under control real quick. Because she did want him—as long as it was on her terms. Question was: how would she get it?
Normally she might have grabbed him and shown him how she really felt, but Easton Ambrose, the resident search and rescue EMT, had come with him. East was built like Gage, tall, strong, and good-looking. But East was the local town charmer with a playboy reputation.
Chloe knew a wingman when she saw one. Gage had come here to seduce her into romance. Well, fair was fair. If he wanted to play, she’d beat him at his own game.
“You should know by now I’m not shy about much.” Chloe handed menus to both men. “Hungry?”
“Yes,” Gage replied quickly. There was so much emotion in his voice. His words felt like his tongue against her skin. “I’m starving.”
“Uh…me too…but I’m going to go with a burger.” East leaned back in his seat like he was waiting to see the show. “And I’ll also take a cupcake,” he said to Natalie. When he reached for it, Natalie slapped his hand.
“Back off, Easton, this is a work of art. Not to be pawed on.”
He rolled his eyes. “Seriously, Nat?”
She looked over her cupcake, smiling and turning it to admire its perfection. “Yep.”
It was no secret Natalie and Easton kind of irritated each other. Had since they were all young.
East groaned. “Why the hell do you frost them out here then if they’re not for eating?”
“To drive you nuts.” She smiled.