Apéritif [ Carmy Berzatto || THE BEAR FF ]

Chapter 5 - Truffle Mushroom Risotto

You stood outside The Bear peering into the warm atmosphere. As you peeked, you tried to convince yourself you weren't there just to see Carmen again. The thought of him just made your heart race.

Okay, y/n just act natural. He's just a chef, I can't believe you have a crush on a chef?

Carmy emerged from the back approaching a delivery truck that was posted in the alleyway left of The Bear. His apron slightly messy and sporting a musk of cigarette ashes and grease.

"Okay so here's the 12 hour delivery. John's got the next one." The delivery man pulled out a clipboard with a pen attached.

"Just making sure this is beef  right?" He paused. "If I open these boxes and I find pork in here again-"

"Hey take it with John brother, I only do the delivery."

Carmy looked around to take in the scenery before his eyes landed on you being a creep outside the restaurant window. His eyes lit up as he absentmindedly signed the clipboard. His signature drifting off the sign off line.

"Alright boss, just bring it in through the back for me."

Carmy finally approached, catching you off guard.

"Looking for someone?" Trying to be as casual as possible.

"Oh, no. Just... walking around." You pulled on your jacket.

"I've seen you in here before?" He questioned rhetorically as an attempt of small talk.

"Yeah you did, I was with my friend."

"The one who was calling me Cameron" He chuckled as he recollected the moment. "Yeahh, I remember that." He rubbed his calloused hands across his jaw trying to suppress his laugh.

"She's something else." There was an awkwardness that settled between the two of you.

He's so cute. I hope I look okay. I feel like I look like a mess right now. Am I holding him up from working?

"I wanted to say, your food is amazing." You quickly blurted out.

"Oh thank you, I have a thing for food I guess." The smile has never left his face.

"So are you coming in?"

"Oh me, I'm not sure...."

"It's not too busy right now. We're actually trying out a new menu item."

Your eyes widened. Is he inviting me to personally try his new dish?

You nodded shyly before he went back inside with you trailing behind.
_____

You awkwardly sat at a table for two tuning into conversations happening at other tables. You tried to not notice the heads peeking out from the glass on the kitchen doors but it was entirely too difficult.

"Who's that?" Tina inquired.

"A customer I brought in to try our new dish."

"You brought in a rando to try out a new dish?" Richie butted.

"Yeah what happened to family dinners?" Sydney joked.

"Jeff, I don't like this. Family first." Tina playfully wagged a finger at Carmy before poking her head out the door herself.

"Hm." She shrugged to herself. "I think I see what's happening."

"She's pretty..." everyone turned towards Sydney.

"Guyssss? I can't think a girl's pretty?"

"Guys are we done with the plating?" Carmy asked with a slight annoyed tone.