A Chef’s Sacrifice
Sam, chuckling at his cheeky waiter’s joke, washed his hands, dried them on the towel he kept tucked into his apron, and walked out onto the restaurant floor, but almost stopped dead in his tracks as soon as he saw her. She sat in one of the corners like a sculpture, sipping on a glass of red and perusing a menu. Her seated posture was perfect. She had her legs crossed too, which accentuated the already shapely calf muscle of her front leg, and even from across the floor he could see how smooth her legs actually were.
“Ms. McMillan?” Sam said, arriving at her table. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Samuel Shuter, owner and head chef of Sam’s Place.”
The woman lifted one eyebrow to accompany an inviting and curious smile. Her lips were thin, and she wore no lipstick on them – their delicate earthy hue most definitely not necessitating it. He immediately caught himself wondering what they would be like to kiss. Meanwhile, wavy blonde hair fell on shoulders that belonged to – as they would say in the old days – good breeding stock. Needless to say, Sam was besotted.
“Mr. Shuter, your reputation precedes you. I was hoping I would get a chance to meet the genius behind this place. Though, if I may comment, business is not as good as the days of the last year?” There was an air of mock – or was it flirtatious – formality about her, which intrigued Sam beyond her stunning looks.
“Well, the pandemic took its toll on many businesses, and even though I have my loyal clientele, it certainly isn’t like it was,” he lamented. “Anyway, I must confess my wait staff brought your presence to my attention. Might you be in the mood to try one of my new gourmet pizza conceptions tonight? They are our specialty, after all.”
She chuckled, reaching for the glass of red wine in front of her. “You speak my language, Mr. Shuter. That wonderful baked invention of the people of Naples is rather close to my heart – or stomach, I should say.”
Sam could feel himself blushing, and ravenous warmth stirred inside him. She was an unusual woman and completely at ease with herself, which made her all the sexier. Is she flirting with me? He thought but quickly shelved the idea and decided to make her a risky offer.