Page 194 of Falling for the Grumpiest Protector

"Exactly. Let's preserve that relationship."

I sigh and untie my apron. "Fine." Daniel holds the kitchen door open for me.

The dining room is nearly empty now. A couple near the windows. Two women finishing dessert. One man at the corner table with his head lowered toward his phone. I straighten my jacket. Professional. I walk toward him.

"Good evening. I'm Madison. I'm the chef. You asked for me?"

He looks up.

I stop. Everything inside me does too.

Javier.

For one second, my brain refuses to understand what my eyes are seeing. Then it does. "Oh my God."

He stands. "Hi."

"Javier?"

His smile reaches his eyes. And suddenly I'm moving. I don't care that I'm in my restaurant. I don't care that Daniel is standing ten feet away. I throw my arms around Javier. He catches me. I bury my face against his neck. He's here. He's actually here.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came because I wanted to see you."

I pull back. "You came all the way to New York and didn't tell me?"

"I wanted to surprise you."

"You succeeded." I touch his face because apparently I need physical confirmation. He turns his head and kisses my palm. My heart forgets how to behave.

"You ate here?"

"I did."

"And?"

He looks at me. "Maddy."

"That good?"

"That might be the best meal I've had in years."

My smile feels enormous. "Really?"

"Really."

Behind me, someone clears his throat. I turn. Julian is standing there. His gaze moves from me to Javier and back again. Then understanding arrives. "Oh."

I laugh. "Julian, this is Javier."

His eyebrows rise. "The Javier?"

I close my eyes. "Please don't."

Javier smiles. "I'm guessing yes."

Julian holds out his hand. "Julian."