Page 54 of Clinically Delicious
I didn’t know what to do with that information.
Gabriel talked about me?
To his colleagues?
Multiple times?
“He’s probably just... updating you on the nanny situation,” I whispered weakly. “Making sure everyone knows Megan’s in good hands. Professional communication.”
“Sure,” Fitz drawled. “That’s definitely it.”
The game resumed, saving me from further interrogation. The Red Sox scored two runs in the eighth inning, and the crowd went wild. I found myself on my feet, cheering along with everyone else, caught up in the moment.
For a little while, I forgot about everything else.
Forgot about Tracy.
Forgot about the restaurant I’d never work in.
Forgot about the way Gabriel had looked at me across that candlelit table.
I was just... here. Present. Having fun.
It felt good. It felt normal. It felt like maybe, possibly, I wasn’t a complete disaster.
After the game, we ended up at a pub a few blocks from Fenway. The kind of place with sticky floors and sports memorabilia covering every inch of wall space, and the best burgers in Boston. I’d ordered the bacon cheeseburger—medium rare, extra pickles, and was currently experiencing what could only be described as religious ecstasy.
“This burger,” I said around a mouthful, “is incredible.”
“Told you.” Fitz smirked. “Best in the city.”
“I’m in love. I want to marry this burger. I want to have its burger babies.”
Quinton raised his beer. “To Cate’s burger babies.”
“To burger babies,” Fitz echoed.
I laughed, taking another bite. The beef was perfectly seasoned, the bacon crispy, and the cheese melted just right. This was what I’d missed about Boston—the food. The good food. The kind of food that made me remember why I wanted to cook in the first place.
“So what brought you to Boston today?” Quinton asked. “Besides our charming company.”
“I was supposed to meet a friend,” I said. “But then you two kidnapped me.”
“We prefer ‘enthusiastically invited,’” Fitz said.
“I used to live here,” I continued. “Went to culinary school. Was supposed to work at this restaurant downtown, but...” I trailed off, the familiar ache settling in my chest. “It didn’t work out.”
“What happened?” Quinton asked.
I shrugged, trying to keep my tone light. “My best friend got the job instead. Long story. Lots of drama. Very boring.”
It wasn’t boring. It was devastating, but I wasn’t going to unload all of that on Gabriel’s colleagues while eating a burger.
“That sucks,” Fitz said simply.
“Yeah.” I took another bite, letting the flavors distract me. “But hey, now I’m a nanny. Living the dream.”
“You’re good at it,” Quinton said. “Gabriel wouldn’t keep you around if you weren’t.”
