Kitchen Affairs (22 page)

“Hello…” I said slowly as I shut the door behind me.

“Hi Molly, come in.” Drake was talking to me with a business tone.

I sat down at his office chair and turned it to face the others sitting on the couch. I was confused at what was going on and felt extremely uncomfortable.

“What’s going on?” I asked quietly. I was hoping this didn’t have anything to do with our pictures still, since I was finally getting over all of that.

“Miss Woods, it is a pleasure to meet you personally finally,” Alistair greeted me. I smiled as he continued; “I wanted to say how
well you managed during the social media blow out and to thank you for keeping everything confidential. It has come to my attention what a wonderful student and chef in training you are and I’d like to talk about potential opportunities here at the Riverside.”

My face turned beet red. I didn’t want any favors and it wasn’t because I was ungrateful, I just wanted my work to show for itself. “Thank you, Mr. Stagliano, I truly appreciate it.”

“After graduation, we are looking to add two more chef’s to our kitchen line. I was hoping you would add to our team.” Alistair smiled at me and then up at Drake. Of course, I wanted the position. It was my dream job.

“I appreciate that, Mr. Stagliano, I really do. But I want to get the position by myself. I don’t want to get in because I’m the manager’s girlfriend,” I said softly making sure I wasn’t coming off rude.

“Molly,” Drake intervened. “It will because of your work. You are in the top five of your class and you show great potential.” I smiled back at him like I half believed him.

After a few more exchanges, Alistair and his business partner, Niguel left leaving us to discuss my options with Drake. I was completely thrown back that Drake would just put me in a meeting like that without giving me any sort of heads up.

“Molly, you have amazing talent. Please don’t think this is only because of me. You have worked hard for this opportunity.” Drake leaned in to hold me tight to his chest.

“Drake, you should have warned me. I looked like a total idiot in front of them. You know I don’t want any favors, I want to do this myself.” I pushed back slightly trying to break us apart.

“Don’t think of it like that, baby. It isn’t a favor; it’s a gesture that you stand out in front of your other peers. You should be happy.” He tried to pull me back in.

“I am happy, Drake, really I am. But how is it going to look seeing Drake Stagliano’s skanky ass girlfriend who puts out in the kitchen all of a sudden get hired on as a chef. I want to do this myself. I want to prove to myself and to everyone else that I did this on my own.” And with that, I separated us completely. He looked at me speechless as I grabbed my things and walked out.

Drake didn’t bother to follow me as he could tell I was upset and needed some time. I wanted the job more than anything, but I didn’t want it handed to me. I wanted to know that someday when I ran my own restaurant it was because I struggled to get there, I worked my ass off, and I did it. Selfish as it may sound, I didn’t want help. I had to do this myself.

Drake left a few messages for me that night, but I just texted him back that I didn’t feel like talking. He was respectful and left me alone. I
had mixed feelings between Drake, the job, Travis… everything.
When did everything become so complicated?

The following morning, Michael took Stella to Millennium Park for the day. I wasn’t up for going so I crawled back into bed wallowing in my thoughts. My head wouldn’t stop spinning; I just wanted to make sense of it all.
Was I making things complicated?
Is it me that just couldn’t allow others to help me?
I was so used to doing everything myself with little help, that it was hard to accept anyone else who reached out. Michael and I have been best friends for years, and he was basically the only person besides Liam that I got help from.

I dazed in and out of sleep for a few hours before I heard a knock on the door. Looking at the clock, it was almost noon and I wondered who it could possible be. Drake hadn’t texted me since last night, but I kind of hoped it would be him anyways.

“Travis?” I took a step back completely stunned to see him.

“Molly, I needed to see you.” He looked like shit. He had bags under his eyes and his hair was messy, but sexy at the same time.
Just out of bed look was hot on him.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” I asked gesturing him inside. I was still in my yoga shorts and t-shirt feeling a little uncomfortable. We had resolved everything the night before; at least I thought we had.

“No, Molly.” He walked to the kitchen slightly rubbing against me. My body betrayed me and quivered at his touch. “I can’t just be friends with you, Molly. I tried to convince myself that I could, but deep down I know I can’t.” He turned to face me as I leaned up against the kitchen island. “I’m so in love with you.” He stepped toward me but paused inches away from my face.

I froze into place as he stood in front of me. I was arguing with myself whether or not to kiss him. Part of me wanted to jump him right then and there but I knew I’d regret it later.
How does he have this impact on me?
Frustrated with myself, I just stared at him hoping he would make a move, or not make a move, or say something.

“Molly, I know you are with someone else. I totally get that. But I just needed to tell you. I love you and I want you. I won’t do anything against your will. If you say we are just friends, then we’re just friends, okay?” He leaned in closer once again, rubbing his hand against my cheek. My eyes closed as I felt his fingertips on my skin. “I know you feel something, Molly. You quiver every time I touch you.”

I opened my eyes and just stared at him.
Why, why, why?
I didn’t know what to say. I am in love with Drake, but I do feel something for Travis. It was undeniable.

“Travis…” I began, trying to figure out what to say. “I do feel something.” He perked up a small smile. “But I can’t react on those feelings. I’m sorry.” His face instantly sunk as he realized I was letting him down easy.

“I understand, Molly,” he said reassuringly. I nodded as he backed up slightly but leaned down to kiss my cheek. “I’ll see you Monday.” He turned and led himself out the door.

My heart was still racing from Travis’ unexpected visit this afternoon. I still didn’t know what to think. I’ve never had feelings for two guys at the same time. Hell, I’d never had feelings for anyone besides Liam before I met Drake. This was all too new for me.

Michael and Stella arrived back home with Chinese take out.
Perfect.

“What’s wrong with you?” Michael questioned as he realized I was still in a funk.

“Men.”

“Can’t live with them, but we can’t live without them,” he smirked.

“Yeah…” I grumbled.

“Hi,” I said as Drake answered his phone.

“Molly! I’m so happy you called,” he was ecstatic.
Apparently not talking to him was making him crazy.

“We need to talk. Can you come over later?” I needed to come clean about Travis. He deserved to know.

“Sure baby. I can be there in an hour.”

Drake showed up with a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of white wine.
Damn him for being so thoughtful.
“I’ve missed you so much, Molly,” Drake said as he squeezed me tight.

“I missed you too,” I mumbled as he kissed me lips.

This man didn’t deserve to be hurt and I felt awful knowing that telling him about Travis would probably put him in a rage. He opened the bottle of wine and poured us a couple glasses. It was so good to see him, but I couldn’t possibly enjoy our time together until he knew the truth.

“Drake, we need to talk…”

“Molly,” he interrupted. “I shouldn’t have done that. At least I should’ve talked to you about it first. I’m so sorry I got involved.” He brushed his fingers on my cheeks holding me in close. “I just love you and wanted to help you, but I shouldn’t have crossed those boundaries.”

“Drake, it’s alright. I’m not mad about that anymore. I realized I was overreacting. You just wanted to help me and I get that.” I looked up into his piercing dark eyes. His eyes were soft yet intimidating. “I have just not had anyone in my life before who looked out for my best interests. This is all so new to me,” I confessed.

“I understand sweetheart. Next time, I swear, I will speak to you about anything first. Whatever you want, okay?”

“Sounds great,” I smiled. “But I have to talk to you about something kind of serious.” I instantly frowned as I was going to have to relive everything.

“Is something wrong?” he asked worried.

“
Well… I need to tell you about someone. His name is Travis and he’s in the internship program with me.” He nodded as he recognized the name.
Of course, he is the one that looks through all the applicants.

“Yeah, I’ve heard of him. What about him?” he asked pushing me to continue talking.

“Well, the week my program started, I ran into him at a café. Like I literally ran into him. I ended up breaking my phone. Anyways, it was just shortly after I met you and we were just getting to know each other,” I paused for a moment trying to slow my breathing. “He asked for my number so he could take me out to dinner for breaking my phone. I didn’t know how to tell him I was seeing someone or that I didn’t want to, so I just put a fake number in his phone. The following weekend, I ran into him again at the Children’s Museum when Michael and I took Stella. He was there with his son.”

“Is he stalking you, Molly?” he jumped.

“No, nothing like that. He confronted me about my number not working and I told him I was seeing someone and that I wanted to see where it went. He understood and I honestly never expected to see him again,” I swallowed at the memory of seeing him there. “But then, Monday there he was in my class. Apparently, he had got into the program late and was in the same internship program with me. We were friends and when the photos of us leaked, he was like a big brother and protected me from all the comments and stares in class. He even helped disguise me so we could walk to lunch.”

Drake stopped me, “Why are you just now telling me about this Travis guy? He seems a little too close for comfort.” He narrowed his eyes on me.

“I never brought it up because he’s just a friend. I didn’t know how you would react to having a guy friend. I mean, I never really had girl friends and I haven’t date in years, so I didn’t know what you would say,” I confessed hoping that was a suitable explanation. “Well, we took Stella and Jacob to the Shedd Aquarium one weekend and he only acted as a friend. He never crossed a line and it was nice letting Stella play with someone her age.”

Drake crossed his arms as if he was waiting to hear of devastation. Without a response from him, I continued. “So one Friday night when Stella had her sleepover, Travis called me and invited me out with his friends. He was really protective of me and didn’t let any guy near me. In fact, I tripped of course, and one of his friends caught me except he ended up grabbing my chest because I was literally falling into him. Travis misread the situation and punched his friend right in the face. After that, I told Travis we were just friends and that I didn’t need protecting. He admitted to overreacting and everything was fine.”

I paused again letting everything sink. “So one night after class Travis and I stayed late to study for rounds. We had been practicing recipes and quizzing each other. And I’ll leave out the details, but he kissed me.” My face fell as I said those last three words. I didn’t know how Drake would react, but I knew it would be painful to see.

“He kissed you?” he asked making sure he heard me right.
Oh, shit.

“Yeah…”

“Did you kiss him back?”

“Yes. But I didn’t mean to. It just happened. I pushed him away and walked out the door,” I said trying to reassure him of the situation. I didn’t need him worrying that it would happen again.

“Has he kissed you since?” He demanded to know.

“No, we talked about it and I told him I’m in love with you and that we can only be friends. He understood and everything was fine. But then…” I paused to think how I would say this next part.

“But then what, Molly?”

“Then he came over this morning unannounced. I thought everything was back to normal between us. But he said he couldn’t just be my friend because he was in love with me and that he wanted me. I told him that wasn’t a possibility. I told him we didn’t have that type of relationship and that I could only be his friend.” I couldn’t look Drake in the eyes. I knew they were burning into me. He was furious.

“In love with you? Molly, this guy is a nut job!”

“No, it’s not like that Drake, I promise! We spend a lot of time together in class
, and apparently, I misread the situation. I thought we were just friends until he made that move. I didn’t know I was making him think anything else.” I begged for him to believe me.

“So you do you love him, Molly?” he asked quietly bracing for my answer.

“Of course not, Drake. I’m in love with you!”

“Do you have feelings for him then?”
Fuck me.