Kyle's Return (Gloves Off #5)(16)

“Have fun with that. I’ll see you later.” Shaking my head, I set the phone down. She might as well have fun on her afternoons off because it wasn’t going to last. I was determined to get her a job. She just needed the confidence and a push.

My phone started vibrating in the drawer. I slid it open and to no surprise it was Kyle, again.





Kyle: Miss me yet?

Me: Nope.

Kyle: What are u doing tonight?

Me: Going out with Tyler. Jealous?





The gym phone started to ring but I couldn’t take my eyes away from my cell. I knew a snarky reply was coming. “Rushing’s Gym and Fitness, this is Megan, how can I help you?”

“Well, love, in reply to your last text, no I’m not jealous of you going out with Tyler. Now if it was with your other two shitdick friends who want to bang you out, then I’d have a problem.”

“Oh yeah, what would you do?”

“You don’t want to know.”

I chuckled. “Probably not.”

“Where is he taking you?” he asked.

“We’re going to Kacey’s restaurant to celebrate my promotion. I wish you could join us. It’s a really nice place. I bet you’d like it. It’s amazing the kind of talent your sister has.”

The line went quiet but then he sighed. “That she does.”

“I can call you tonight when I’m on my way home. I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Sounds good. Besides, there’s something I want to talk to you about too.”





The parking lot was slam packed when I pulled up to Kacey’s restaurant, K and B’s Bistro. The K stood for Kacey and the B stood for Bree, her partner. Luckily, I found a spot and made it inside before Tyler could. Kacey spotted me as soon as I walked inside.

“Megan, it’s so good to see you,” she greeted, folding me in a hug. “I have the best table for you. Follow me.”

I walked behind her and stared at her blonde hair that was the same color as Kyle’s. I wanted to tell her about how he was trying to be a better man, but it wasn’t the right time. One day soon, hopefully. She led me upstairs to the loft that was set up with just one huge table and my favorite bottle of wine, chilling in a bucket of ice. “This is awesome, Kacey. Thank you.”

She pulled out my seat and faced me. “No, thank you for being such a great help to me and Tyler. He loves you to death and so do I.”

I reached out to hug her again and closed my burning eyes. “You’re like my family, Kace. If it wasn’t for you and Tyler, I wouldn’t be happy here.” Letting her go, I wiped my eyes and sat down at the table. “Can I ask you something?”

She sat down on the opposite side and opened the bottle of wine. “Sure. What’s up?” She poured me a glass.

I took it from her and drank a sip. “I was wondering . . . are you hiring any chefs?”

Sitting back in her chair, she narrowed her eyes with a smirk. “Why do you ask?”

“You know my friend Nicole?” She nodded. “Well, she’s an amazing chef and graduated the top of her class in culinary school. I’d love to see her get a good job.”

“Why hasn’t she come to talk to me?”

“She’s nervous. Your restaurant is amazing and she knows that. Plus, if she applied and you said no, she’d have to see you around all the time and that would be awkward.” I laughed. “I just want her to be in a place where she’s appreciated, where she can use her talents and be creative. I know you’d encourage that side of her.”

Her gaze landed on something over my shoulder and she grinned. “Speak of the devil.” She got to her feet and winked. “Don’t worry about your friend, I’ll take good care of her.”

Turning around, I smiled as Nic approached.

“I’m not late am I?” she asked.

Kacey shook her head and put her arm over her shoulders. “Nope, you’re just in time. If you’d follow me, please.”

Nic’s brows furrowed. “Where are we going?”

Kacey led her back to the stairs. “To the kitchen. Don’t worry, you’ll do just fine. I’ll pay you double time.” Eyes wide, Nic glanced back at me with her mouth gaping wide open.

Giggling, I nodded for her to go and she went willingly. She was probably going to bitch me out for catching her off guard. At least now she had no choice but to show Kacey what she could do. As the girls started down the steps, Tyler marched up. His smile grew wider when he realized Nic wouldn’t be eating dinner with us.

“Don’t look so happy,” I chided, downing the rest of my wine.

Chuckling, he sat across from me. “I know she’s your friend, but she talks way too damn much.”

I poured another glass of wine and held it up. “That she does. I hope you’re ready to max out your credit card because I’m hungry. I intentionally didn’t eat lunch so I could pig out tonight.” Shaking his head, he grabbed his menu and opened it up. “Oh, and before I forget, is there any way I can take a couple of days off after you get back from your honeymoon?”

“Of course,” he said, setting down his menu. “Are you taking a little vacation?”