Page 3 of Falling With You

“I’m sure you’ll give me one, but I need to head out too since I’m not actually working tonight, and sitting here and trying not to micromanage the kitchen is starting to get under my skin.”

Aiden was possibly one of the best chefs I’d ever met. I’d had some amazingly prepared food in my time, but Aiden was the best. He had left his job at a Michelin-starred restaurant to come work at the bar.

I knew it might seem like a step down for some, but Aiden had been very clear in saying that he hadn’t liked his other place. That he wouldn’t have made it far there because of who owned the restaurant and who the other sous chefs were. Apparently, everybody at that place preferred hiring cousins and sons rather than chefs with any actual talent.

So, he was sprucing up the brewery and making the place a little classier than it had been.

I was just fine with that because it meant I got to taste all the good things.

Not that I’d tell Aiden that he was amazing. That might just give his ego a little bit too much of a boost. And he did not need help with his ego.

“Aw, did the big, bad Aiden have a bad day? Was he yelling at all his poor little people?”

“Why do you have to sing-song when you ask that? I just can’t with you.” He shook his head and then handed me my purse. “Let’s go.”

“I can walk to my car just fine. It’s not like there aren’t lights everywhere.”

“Yeah, you can. But I’m going the same way. So, let’s just get this over with.”

“Oh, my hero. Whatever shall I do without you?”

He just grunted something under his breath, and I had a feeling it wasn’t anything nice. But it didn’t really matter what it was. I was heading out the door, and I was going to get over my crush.

Because having a crush on Aiden Connolly had done nothing for me over the past decade. And keeping with it was only going to make things worse.

We had made it just around the corner when Aiden cursed under his breath.

“What’s wrong?”

“I forgot my phone. Do you want to come back with me?”

“Not particularly. I’ve probably walked this street over a hundred times on my own. I’ll be fine.”

“I’d rather not leave you alone,” Aiden growled.

“I have my little cat ears that I can stab someone with.” I took out my keys and made a little punching motion with the keychain’s sharp, pointy ears.

“You look adorable.”

“You said that so truthfully, too. I totally believe you.”

“Come on, Sienna. Walk back with me.”

“I’m tired, Aiden. I’ll be fine. Go, get your phone. I’m going to head home. I’ve worked later hours before, and the place where my job is at is in an actual bad part of the city. We’re not exactly there now.”

“Just don’t be stupid, short stack,” Aiden growled and then turned on his heel, jogging towards the bar.

Knowing him, he would probably run there, get his phone, then sprint back so he could walk with me the last bit of the way. I didn’t mind him being protective, it was just when he got overly so that it got weird.

But I wasn’t going to be stupid. So, I made sure my crossbody bag was secure, my little cat ears were firmly on my fingers, ready to punch out, and I had my phone in my other hand, queued to call 911 just in case.

You couldn’t be too careful when it came to being a woman alone, even if it wasn’t quite dark out yet.

I had just turned right when the first hand grabbed me.

At first, I thought it was Aiden, trying to teach me a lesson or something, so I didn’t punch out when I should have.

And I really should have.