Chapter's song: Para tu amor by Juanes (I know it's in Spanish, but this song melts me...so, give it a chance 😊 )

Monica's dark eyes glinted excitedly as she buttoned up her toddler's sweater. "The knives are crisscrossing across the shoulder blades?" The little boy wouldn't stop moving but she managed without much effort. Just as she finished on the last button, he stopped scowling at his Mom and ran away.

We were at a small park close to Monica's house. She had asked me to come spend the afternoon with her after school. Andy had tagged along too. Carlitos and him were playing with a ball while we sat on the grass; Monica putting away a few toys she had to take out of the backpack to get Carlitos' sweater out.

She passed a hand across her forehead. "My mama keeps knitting all these sweaters and I feel bad if I don't use them." She huffed as she zipped the backpack. "Carlitos hates them." She shrugged as we both looked at Andy play with him.

"He's really cute." I mean that. Her son had caramel skin and big brown eyes like her. His smile was filled with happiness and it lit up anyone's else face, too. He talked in English and Spanish at the same time, a trait that I found quite endearing. He was only three, but you could tell he was a handful. Especially for such a young girl like Monica.

She shook her head. "He looks so much like his father, though," she trailed scrunching up her nose. "But let's not get sour here." She turned to me. "You have to tell me about Chef Bryan's tattoo!"

I chuckled, my cheeks blushing as I remembered about his chest and back. It had been three days since Bryan took me to get my tattoo. Three days since I hadn't stopped thinking about him. Half-naked. "It was all in black and white and it looked really good on him."

Monica laughed aloud. "That's like, the worst description ever!"

Laughing too, I stared at her little boy again. "I'm so sorry! I don't even know how to describe it! But it was really awesome!"

"I'm so jealous right now! That man is smokin' hot!" She shook her head, "such a shame that he was an idiot to you today."

Pressing my lips together, I plucked out some grass while I thought about it. He had been a complete prick. I was totally biased, though. Especially since he could be sort of sweet and open when we were alone, but an arrogant ass when we were with other people.

He was so obtuse.

I rolled my eyes while slowly blowing out a breath. "Yeah."

We had learned how to make puff pastry today. Not an easy task, let me tell you. Especially when you had a crush on your teacher and he was observing your every move. Okay, not observing, more like correcting you. And not in a nice way, it was more like scolding me all the time. Which made me more nervous and I screwed up more times than ever.

My dough was a complete mass of...something not quite edible by the end of the morning. Other teams finished product was more or less like mine. Still, mine was the grossest. My butter melted and even though I placed my dough in the freezer, it just didn't work out. And Bryan was not happy at all.

"I don't think I could be a pastry Chef, though. It's too damn complicated," I muttered annoyed, while my eyes turned to Andrew. He was being really caring and patient with Carlitos. "Does he know about his dad?" I asked changing the topic.

Monica breathed out. "He's still too young. His father is gonna be in prison for the next ten years, so I don't think he'll remember about him."

"Are you still with him?"

She shook her head, a somber expression flashing through her face. "No. Carlos and I are through." Her voice tone was serious and determined at the same time. I wanted to ask more. Ten years was a lot of time, and I figured that he must have done something really bad. But Monica didn't seem like talking about it and I didn't want be nosey.

"Andy is being great with Carlitos," I smiled softly, putting my two cents for my friend.

Monica laughed. "Are you playing cupid?"

"Maybe."

She snorted. "He's not the kind of boy that would take a girl like me." She gazed at him playing with her son. Her tone was soft, though. I looked at Andrew and I couldn't be so sure about it. Plus, Monica was a complete hot-shot. He would be an idiot if he didn't go after her.

When the boys got tired, we went for an ice-cream. But when Carlitos smile faded and his easy-going behavior turned into crankiness, we called it a night. Andy offered to walk them back to their house and I took the bus back home.

On my way to my house, my feet faltered when I noticed Bryan's red jeep parked in front of it. What the hell is he doing here?

Pursing my lips, I unlocked the front door as my ears strained to hear the conversation inside. Juno's laugh filled the room and I heard Bryan's deep voice before the door creaked, announcing my entrance.

"Jessica!" Juno called me immediately. "Come here!"

Biting my lip, I stared at the kitchen door for a moment before my feet moved. "Hi?" I wasn't supposed to make a question, but my heart was already fluttering as I stepped inside the room. Juno beamed at me, her right cheek was smudged with flour, as well as the rest of her clothes. Bryan was right next to her. He had pulled up the sleeves of his shirt and his hands were completely covered in flour. I noticed the ball of dough on the counter.

"We're making pasta!" Juno's eyes sparkled excitedly.

At least no one will snap at you, for sure. "That's awesome Juno." Seeing Bryan in my kitchen, making pasta with my grandmother, felt like hot rocks in my stomach. He'd been mean, and because he was my boss, I had to swallow it all. But right now, he wasn't Bryan my boss, and I had no idea why he was there. I crossed my arms across my chest and leaned on the doorframe.

Juno's brows furrowed. "Aren't you going to say hello to Bryan?"

Bryan gazed at me raising an eyebrow. The nerve of him. His lips twitched, suppressing a smile, while I narrowed my eyes at him. "Hi."

Juno's inquiring eyes observed our little interaction before she burst out, "He's staying for dinner, so you should come over and help us finish this."

I didn't have a choice, so I pulled myself from the doorframe and went to the sink to wash my hands. "Where's Seth?" I asked as I finished drying them.

"He's out." Juno flipped a strand of hair away from her eyes, "I think he's on a date."

Just what I needed. Everyone in this freaking house has dates, but me. Effing great.

"Is this the right consistency, Jessica?" Bryan said as soon as I stood in front of the dough ball. I so wanted to roll my eyes at him.

I shrugged. "I suck at working with flour, remember?" I didn't look at him, I was glaring at the dough.

Juno cleared her throat. "I'll be right back."

No! Please don't go!

"Where are you going?"

She smiled at me before glancing at Bryan. "I need to go to the bathroom, honey. I'll be back."

Bathroom, my ass! She was leaving me alone with Bryan!

I couldn't say much because Juno left in a hurry after that. I did notice the wide grin on her face as she left.

My shoulders sagged as I sighed. Sometimes, my family sucked.

"How does it feel?" Bryan asked next to me.

I poked the dough, leaving a dimple behind. "It's not ready."

"Are you sure?"

I was about to protest and tell him that he wasn't my teacher right now, when a rough, calloused hand grabbed my arm. My lips parted and my heart started to race. Softly, his hand ran from my elbow to my hand and my stomach turned to putty. Breathing seemed impossible as he laid my hand over the dough. "You can tell by feeling it, Jessie." He stretched his hand over mine, making me grab the whole ball in my hand as well. "The key is a soft texture. Does this feel right for you?"

My whole body was in a frenzy. Little electric shocks ran from our hands to the pit of my stomach. I couldn't utter a freaking sound.

I swallowed hard. "Uh-huh." He took a step closer and his breath caressed my neck.

"I think it's ready," he whispered by my ear. My legs were shaking and I felt like they could give in at any moment, when he pulled apart. I stood completely frozen grabbing on to the counter because I felt like I couldn't move.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you today." He said after a moment of awkward silence. I licked my lips as I turned to him. He ran a hand through his hair and I had the sudden urge to do the same. I'd always wondered how soft his hair really is.

His gaze was fierce before I looked to the side. I was about to say that it was okay, but it wasn't. He made me feel useless in front of the whole class. "You didn't need to be rude." I creased my brows.

"I know." He sounded sincere. I glanced at him. "I'm sorry. I was a total prick."

I tilted my head. "Is that why you came?"

He rubbed his eyebrow. "I thought I dropped by to apologize and teach you how to make puff pastry," I rolled my eyes, "but Juno asked me if I could make fresh pasta," he gestured towards the dough, "so, here I am."

I glanced to the door. I was pretty sure my grandmother was nowhere near the kitchen now.

"Teach me how to make puff pastry?" I crossed my arms.

Bryan smiled. This guy. "It's the least I can do."

"Why were you mad?" Did I do something wrong?

He set his lips in a tight line before rubbing the back of his neck. "There's really no excuse for my behavior, Jess."

And yet, you came to apologize. I couldn't be mad. Not with him. I was such a lost cause when it came to him.

"Fair enough." I nodded, "Apology accepted."

Bryan's turquoise eyes stared at me, before his lips curved up. "You're too nice, Jess." He pursed his lips. "You shouldn't be."

I tilted my head. "And you're too hard on yourself."

His smiled widened. "I don't think we'll agree here."

I glanced at the dough ball. "We should make the pasta, then."

His gaze was intense as he took a step closer. "We should."

We worked in silence as I rolled the pasta first, and then he finished rolling it to the exact thickness he wanted it. The air felt dense as we both worked. Juno never appeared in the kitchen until the pasta was already made. It was really good, we only added fresh cream, parsley and parmesan cheese.

I was silent during dinner. I couldn't stop thinking about the way Bryan was acting or the way I felt when he was so close to me. Juno made small talk but I could feel his eyes on me from time to time. It was unnerving.

The fact that my whole family had a social life, annoyed me to no end. I knew I was being selfish too, but both Seth and Juno were in romantic relationship and I was...well, I was me.

I had an insane crush on my boss, and that was like bumping against a wall without nowhere to go.

After playing around with the food in my plate, I stood up and left my plate on the sink. Juno stepped inside the kitchen. "Bryan is leaving; you should walk him to his car."

Sighing, I nodded.

Bryan was already at the door, his eyes trained on me. "Good night, Jess." I loved the way my name rolled out of his tongue. It sounded deep and dark, just like bittersweet chocolate.

"I'll walk you to your car."

He glanced behind me. "Or else." He quipped; knowing well that Juno was looking at us.

My lips curved up as I passed next to him. He closed the door after him. I exhaled slowly before we reached his car.

"Jessie..." He held me gently by the arm. "I'm really sorry for being such a dick and making you uncomfortable." His eyes were intense as they roamed all over my face. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as my lips parted.
"It's okay," I said in a soft whisper as he took a step closer.

His hand left my arm and he cupped my chin. My heart was hammering inside my ribcage as he leaned forward and brushed his lips on mine.

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHH...

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