Chapter 4

Griffin

"Damn it, Tripp. I've had this burger up in the window for five minutes. Stop fucking around and get the food out when it's ready," I shout, wiping down the line.

He grabs the plate, mumbling under his breath, but rushes off when I snap my head and he sees my narrowed eyes.

"Chef, you all right?" Jared, my sous-chef asks.

That's a loaded question.

Everything is great. Anya's first party is tonight. The room we used to use for storage looks fantastic. She has tables set around with crisp white linens. There are candles on all of the tables and string lights hung around the room. The big window with a view of the courtyard is a feature now.

I busted my ass working on the menu to make sure it's perfect. We decided to go with filet, grouper, and a vegetarian pasta option. Everything has been delivered this morning and I'll be starting to prep soon.

The thing that has me snapping at everyone is something that really is a moot point. When Anya confessed that Willow said Anya and I should date, I felt something in my chest tighten. My pulse raced and for just a moment I allowed myself to imagine what that would be like. The idea of being able to do things to Anya that I've only fantasized about a handful of times had my skin overheating.

I stared at her, wanting her in that moment more than I wanted my next breath, and then she laughed. She repeated over and over how something like that would never happen and she laughed again.

It was a slap of reality to my face and to my cock.

I promised Callum years ago I would never date his sister. It's not something that will ever happen. Not even if Anya truly wanted it. I'd have to deny her.

I'm wondering if I could ever deny her anything.

My friendship and career would be put on the line and I can't lose them. So, the fact that I'm enraged about her laughing at the possibility is ridiculous.

Yet, here I am, days later still feeling it. Snapping at everyone and pushing down a fire that I haven't felt in a very long time. That fire, it isn't a good thing. It's something I felt growing up and I taught myself, with Callum's help, how to keep it smothered. I'm having trouble keeping it smothered now and that isn't helping my mood.

"Griff, everything good for tonight?" Shepherd asks, walking into the kitchen.

"All good. Jared and I are going to start prepping soon," I say, putting another burger on its bun.

He nods his head as he leans against the counter. The kitchen is crazy busy with the lunchtime rush, so my annoyance is getting poked with him standing there.

"The room looks awesome. I just helped Anya move some tables around. We even got the speakers working in there so there's light music playing now," he says, picking at a plate of fries I have sitting there.

"Shep, those are for someone, Christ," I say, shaking my head.

He laughs and grabs a couple more. "Tripp said you had a stick up your ass today. I guess he was right."

I turn to face him and cross my arms. "Tripp needs to deliver the food while it's still hot. If that's a problem, I must be doing my job wrong."

"What's really going on? You're never like this?" He raises a brow.

I shake my head and throw more fries in the fryer because he's still eating what I have prepared. "I'm busy, Shep, that's my problem. I'm trying to get through this lunch rush so I can focus on preparing for the party and then I need to cook that food and make sure the dinner rush is handled." I grab a brown disposable carton and toss the fries in it fresh from the fryer. "I just need to make sure everything is perfect, all right. It's the first night and I'm stressed out."

I need to get this fire under control. I'm better than this.

"I get it, man. I was really just checking in to make sure it wasn't anything else."

He doesn't know the extent of my life like Callum does, but he knows enough. It means the world to me that the Atwood brothers all care for me like I'm one of them.

I feel the fire fizzling out and I turn to him after dumping the new fries on the plate. "I'm sorry. I appreciate you checking in."

He grabs my shoulder and smiles. "Always, Griff, you know that."

I nod as the anger begins to smother. "I'll apologize to Tripp and Jared and Trudi."

We both laugh and I shake my head. I really have been out of control.

"You can apologize to Jared and Trudi, but not to Tripp. That little prick thinks he's a part owner lately. He needs to remember until he's older, he's an employee."

I remember being Tripp's age. He wants to grab the world by the balls while partying like it doesn't matter. Only he has a lot of expectations to live up to. It's got to be hard.

"If you need help with anything, give a shout. I'm going to help Brock clean out the still."

"Appreciate it," I shout as he walks out of the kitchen.

I close my eyes briefly and take a cleansing breath. My friendship with the Atwood's is everything. It's absurd thinking I let Anya's dismissal of a relationship get to me when, in fact, she's right—it'll never happen

I plate the food for Anya's party. It's been a long day, but this moment makes it all worth it.

"Griffin, how's it going?" Anya asks, stepping into the kitchen. Her mere presence does something to me. Makes me almost feral. I need to remember to not be affected by her soft voice, and bright green eyes.

"It's going great in here. Everything will be ready in time, don't worry."

"Oh, I'm not worried. You're the only one who's been calm and collected through this entire thing," she says, tucking her brown hair behind her ears.

I chuckle and stand straight as I wipe my hands on a towel. "Maybe on the outside, but today wasn't my finest day."

"What do you mean?"

I lift my shoulders, taking in just how stunning she looks tonight. Her hair is down and curled. Her makeup makes her green eyes pop and shows off her full lips. The white button-down shirt she has on fits her body perfectly and she left the top two buttons undone, showing just enough cleavage to appear classy. The gray pencil skirt she has on makes you take notice of her long sexy legs. She looks professional and sexy, a killer combo.

"I took out my stress on Tripp," I admit.

She giggles, shaking her head. "He can handle it. He's the youngest, remember."

Not wanting to take away from her night, I just nod and move the conversation. "How's it going out there?"

She bites her lip and looks at the door leading out of the kitchen and back at me. "I don't want to jinx anything, but oh my God, it's going better than I ever imagined. Everyone is having a great time."

I can't fight the smile that takes over my face. "I knew it would be a success."

"I even saw Callum smiling," she says with a small laugh.

"Oh, you've crossed into uncharted territory, Anya. You should have a drink now to celebrate."

We both laugh and I hate that I need to get back to plating. Talking with her is so easy and fun.

Before I can say anything, Callum walks into the kitchen. My eyes lift to his and he looks between Anya and me. "What's going on?"

My brow dips as I stare at him. "Talking about the party," I say, slowly.

I feel like he's accusing me of something and I don't appreciate that. If he only knew what I've been talking myself out of lately, he'd feel like an asshole.

"Shouldn't you be out there?" he says directly to Anya.

"Shouldn't you be barking orders at Brock or Tripp? My party is going amazing and I'm allowed to come check in with my chef."

"Your chef?" Callum asks, raising an eyebrow.

She and I laugh as I get back to plating. "Callum, relax. You know what she means."

"As much as I'd love to stay, I do need to go check in with my servers," Anya says, walking out of the kitchen.

"Griff," Callum says. I turn my head and he crosses his arms. "Everything is good, right?"

I clear my throat and toss my rag on the counter. "You accusing me of something, Cal?"

"No, I'm definitely not."

"Feels like you are and if you feel the need to do that, maybe you don't feel the same about our friendship."

I turn my back on him and get back to work. He has no idea how hurtful his accusation is. Especially after everything I've been feeling.

"Griff, that's not true. You're like a brother to me. I'm sorry I even let myself think something like that. I know better. You'd never disrespect me or my family. Hell, you're a part of my family. I'm sorry, all right?"

I appreciate his apology, but it doesn't change the fact he let himself think I was untrustworthy with his sister.

"Yeah, okay. I need to get this done."

I hear his footsteps toward the door and he says, "She's my sister, Griff. I'm sorry."

I lift my head and pin him in my stare. "Exactly Callum, she's your sister."

He nods and walks out of the kitchen.

Well, two anomalies happened tonight. Anya saw Callum smile and I heard him apologize. Just the thought makes me laugh.

I step back and look at what I've plated and grin. Yep, this is going to blow them away.

I head back into the kitchen, leaning against the prep counter and pull out my phone.

Saw something rare today.

Brock: Let me guess, Mrs. Capri in a string bikini?

Tripp: That shit is not rare. She's old enough to be my grandmother, but she's rockin' a body on her.

Callum: Tripp, she's Mom's bestie. You're relentless. What did you see, Griff?

Callum actually smiled today.

Shepherd: Oh shit. Call in the papers. Did you snap a pic? That shit would go viral quick.

Callum: Ha ha ha.

Paxton: Seriously? I haven't seen a rare Callum smile in ages. Haven't seen a Shep smile in quite a while either.

Shepherd: Quoting the infamous words of Callum, ‘ha ha ha'.

Tripp: Yeah Shep, what's up? We know why Callum doesn't smile, but what's your deal?

Callum: I smile.

Shepherd: No deal, just busy.

Paxton: Busy pouting about his neighbor. Just ask her out already.

Shepherd: She's back with that ex of hers, and I don't know.

Tripp: Ouch, sorry. It sucks when somebody you want is with someone else.

Shepherd: It's fine. I'm over it. So why did Callum smile?

Well, it was actually Anya who caught the smile, but I'm thinking Callum's finally seeing what we all see. That Anya kicks ass.

Paxton: Agreed.

Tripp: Yeah, she's okay.

Shepherd: She's rocking that party room hard.

Callum: We'll see.

And there you go, ruining it all. Gotta get back to work.