Second Chances in New Port Stephen - Chapter 105

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Second Chances in New Port Stephen - Chapter 105

Nick grabbed a tray bristling with drinks and headed into the back. The cooks hailed the delivery
like he was a conquering hero, except for Steph, a seasoned cook with a shaved head and two
full sleeves of tattoos. She downed her portion before going right back to unwrapping a lox-and-
red-onion platter. “I’ve got things to do,” she said.
“Fair.” Nick glanced out of the kitchen passway as he collected the empty flutes. The dining
room looked like it was in good shape. Most people were trickling back from the dance floor to
claim their champagne and wait for the ball drop on the bar’s TV to start in earnest.
As the crowd thinned, Nick saw him standing by the front entrance—Eli, his hair combed neatly,
wearing the same violet floral shirt he’d worn when they’d gone dancing.
He was up on his tiptoes, scanning the room. As Nick watched in frozen shock, Eli stopped
Sandra with a touch to her elbow and said something that Nick couldn’t hear over the noise of
the party. Sandra answered him with a smile, turning to point toward the kitchen and Nick.
Eli looked in his direction. They locked eyes, Eli’s warm and bright. Nick knew he had to do
something.
Unfortunately, the “something” was to drop out of sight and crouch behind the fryers. What the
hell was Eli thinking, showing up at Nick’s workplace after the falling-out they’d had? Nick didn’t
have time for this. His fresh start was scheduled to begin in mere minutes. Maybe hiding like a
kid playing peekaboo wasn’t the best solution, but it was the only one Nick’s frazzled mind
could come up with at a moment’s notice.
“Hey, boss?” Steph nudged him with the toe of her clog. “Can you, uh, get out of my kitchen
before someone trips over you?”
“Yep! Sorry! Thought I saw a hazard. On the ground. That would be dangerous.” Nick stood
slowly, feeling his face heat. Thankfully, when he looked into the dining room, Eli was gone.
Must have gotten the message loud and clear. Despite himself, Nick’s heart dropped another
inch in his chest.
He left the back as gracefully as he could after making such a huge ass of himself, then nearly
collided with Eli as he stepped out front. Eli was standing right in front of the swinging door, a
determined yet apologetic look on his face.
“Hey. Can we talk?”

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“No,” Nick said, the word slipping out more affronted than firm. “We can’t. I’m a little busy right
now.”