Chapter's song: Sound of your heart by Shawn Hook. I so love that song!

A smug smile formed on my face as Bryan pulled up in In-N-Out. "What?" he grinned as he read the menu, "Is junk food forbidden to chefs?"

I shrugged. "Yes."

Bryan cracked up. "Well, your feet hurt. You're tired and hungry," he raised an eyebrow, "Tell me, do you feel like cooking right now?"

I pressed my lips together. He had a point. Damn it. Was he ever wrong?

Grabbing my backpack, I'd started to search for my wallet. "I'd like a cheeseburger and an iced tea, please." He was probably smirking as he ordered the food in the microphone.

"I got it." His tone was serious.

Taking out the money from my wallet, I looked up at him. "No. I'll get it. It's the least I can do if you're driving me home."

For the first time since I'd met him, he rolled his eyes as his hand reached out for the bills. My lips quirked up. This was so weird. "Thank you." He got the money and placed it on his knee.

"Don't mention it," I mumbled as I gazed outside.

After paying for the food, the car filled with the glorious scent of junk food. My stomach started to churn and my mouth salivated at the smell. I had no idea how hungry I really was.

Ten minutes later, the car stopped on a red light. "My house is just around the corner. Do you want to stop for dinner there?" Bryan wasn't looking at me; his eyes were trained on the traffic light as he spoke, "Or do you want me to drive you home instead?"

I chewed on my lip as I thought it through. A part of me was exhausted, but another part of me wanted to spend more time with him.

Whenever we stayed late, he would show me a new side of him. And as pathetic as it sounded, I liked this Bryan much better than the douchebag from the classroom.

"I'm really hungry," I blurted out somewhat breathless, not really looking at him.

"Me too."

Why on earth does he make me feel so awkward?

Before I could start freaking out about it, the car parked in front of his house. My stomach was squirming and twisting. I wasn't sure if it was because I was hungry or because I was nervous. Probably the latter. Bryan left his side, grabbing the paper bag and I got the drinks.

It didn't matter that this was the second time I was in his house, it was impressive as hell. My house would probably fit in the same space the pool was. I followed Bryan to the kitchen, but immersing my feet in the warm water would have felt like heaven.

Bryan took out two plates. He had a beer in his hand as he glanced at me. A soft smile curved up his lips as he bobbed his head to the right. "Let's eat outside."

He pulled open a glass paneled door that gave way to the patio outside. Fresh air nipped my skin on my way out. The stars were shining brightly across the dark-pitch sky as I settled on my side of the table. Bryan set the hamburger in front of me and my stomach grumbled.

"Thank you," I said as I peeled off the wrapper and took a bite. It was absolute bliss. I closed my eyes for a second enjoying the delicious taste of the bacon mixed with cheese.

Bryan's dark chuckle made me look up. "Fast food seems like gourmet right now, doesn't it?"

Swallowing, I dabbed my mouth with a small paper napkin. "It's kind of annoying how you seem to be right all the time." My eyes widened as the words left my mouth. Shit. Where did that come from? He's my boss, after all.

His smile widened as he tipped the beer on his lips. "Hardly." He sounded self-assured, amused even. Suddenly thirsty, I took a sip of my coke. "So, was it really disappointing to work with Tom?"

A small sight left my lips. "It was really different from my expectations." Disappointing, to be honest.

He raised an eyebrow, studying me with those impassive eyes of his. "Are you still up to go tomorrow?" I shrugged. Did I have a choice? His smile was soft as he shook his head. "and here I thought you were fangirling like crazy."

"I did see Bobby Flay," I admitted sheepishly. "But I refrained myself." He burst out laughing. I chuckled too.

After we finished the burgers, there were still some fries left. I reached out for one when he asked, "so what's your story, Jessica? Why did you never go to college? You had outstanding grades."

Looking up, I noticed he had finished all his food by now. Talking about Mom always made me feel sad, but I despised the look of sympathy I got when people knew that I had to drop everything to take care of my little brother. I did it willingly. However, Bryan had confided in me and I had a feeling that he wasn't like most people.

I took a deep breath before telling him about Mom, her sickness and how Juno was struggling with money as she passed away. I also told him about my fear of Seth going through the wrong path, and how I'd made a promise to myself to always help him.

"I'm sorry about your mother," he said after a moment of silence. His gaze was warm and understanding, and my heart constricted.

"Thank you." I didn't agree with Mom's life choices, but to be honest, I missed my her. Every day. There were some days that I missed her more than others, but the thought of her was always present. "But I'd do anything for Seth. He's really smart and he's a good boy, we tease each other to death, but we're a team."

Bryan grinned before taking another sip of his beer. "I think he's lucky to have a sister like you."

"I think so too," I answered overly confident before smiling. He chuckled too. I tilted my head. "What about you? Do you have any brothers or sisters?" Any family left?

He pursed his lips. "No. Not real family left."

What did he mean by that? Gnawing on my lip, my voice was barely a whisper as I prodded more. "Do you ever wonder what happened to the rest of your family?" I stared at the potted plants mounted on the wall behind him. "I sometimes wonder what happened to my father, but finding him would be like finding a dark, bottomless pit. And I kind of always wanted to protect Seth from that."

"My real family wasn't a family at all. They never took care of me. For me, my parents where the people that took me in as a boy, that made sure I was okay. Not the ones who gave birth to me." The Adam's apple on his neck bobbed as he swallowed hard. "My biological father is in jail and my mother..." he shook his head as a haunted look flashed on his face, "She's ill. But she's being taken care of."

"I'm so sorry." My throat felt tight as I gazed at him. "Do you still see her?" I shook my head. "Don't answer. I'm sorry," I creased my brows, wanting to slap my head for my lack of tact.

He smiled half-heartedly. "It's okay Jess. My mother doesn't remember me. She's got Alzheimer." He ran a hand through his hair. "In a way, I'm glad she doesn't remember."

Oh God.

I didn't know what was harder, to never see your mom, or to know she doesn't remember you.

I felt a deep ache for him. Without thinking about it, I reached out for his hand. "A mother would never forget her child." He looked down, to my hand on his. My lips parted as my pulse accelerated. A warm feeling ran through me as I started to pull away my hand, but he placed his hand on mine. It was so sudden, but I felt his touch on the pitch of my stomach.

He gazed at me. The sea-green hue of his eyes was darker. He didn't say anything but I knew. It hurt him to know that she might not remember him.

My eyes teared up. In that moment, I could see how hurt and sad he felt sometimes, how lonely he really felt. In an almost whisper, I added, "Go visit her. She will know you, even if she doesn't say anything, she'll know it's you."

Bryan pulled his hand and ran it through his hair, closing his eyes for a moment. My hand was trembling as a shaky breath left my lips.

"I should take you home, Jess," he said in a soft tone, but his gaze was still dark, still raw.

I nodded. "Thank you."

"No. Thank you." I bit my lip as he stood up. I was about to collect the trash but he raised a palm. "Leave it. I'll clean up later."

The ride home was silent. I didn't know what made me reach out for him, and I sure as hell didn't know what made him grab my hand afterwards. I just knew that the more time I spent with him, the more captivated I felt.

I also knew that no other person made me feel like he did. And it was scary.

Hey!!!!!!

I know. I KNOW. I take forever...but I finished editing Turn around (I'm changing the title) and it's pretty awesome!!!!! Also, I'm writing another book for Farah and Chris. I'll post a few sampler chapters in a few weeks (I can't publish the story on Wattpad due to my publisher's. I know. I'm in pain about that.) I've always written on Wattpad and doing it without you terrifies me, to be honest. 

But I will keep updating Take out Chef, as much as I can. 

Also, I've started a new blog. I'll be talking about writing, maybe advice, maybe about random things. It's wordsandromance.blogspot.mx If you want to check it out. I'll also be featuring new authors. If you want me to give you a shout out, go to the blog and conctact me by mail!  (you do not have to be published! Wattpad authors as well!)

So excited about everything that is happening!! But I would never do anything without you guys!!!!