Yes, Chef

Chapter 10: Boundaries Crossed

~Benedict's POV~

I don't know what I'm thinking when I text Mads and ask her to meet me. But I'm having a good night and I want to share that with her. Part of me also wouldn't mind if I was also inadvertently interrupting plans she may have with gym guy.

I am resorting to cheap tricks because I don't know how to express what I am feeling for her. I told her about Paige hoping to gage her reaction and see if she seemed jealous. But she maintained her professionalism. If she was jealous, I couldn't tell. She did call me hot though. I guess I'll take that.

Now I am asking her to meet me about literally nothing. I plan on taking her a little treat, a dish that I have been perfecting and finally launched as a special tonight. Everyone who has tried it raves about it. My ego is high but I'm greedy and want her approval too.

I feel like a kid with a crush on his teacher. I know the risks in revealing this attraction, especially if unreciprocated. It could mean the end of our relationship, violation of my court mandate, and having the restaurant siezed. But something tells me that Mads won't let that happen to me. Even if she doesn't want to get involved with me, she's still a kind person.

"You're in a great mood." Kurt observes when I can't contain my grin after Mads agrees to meet.

"Yeah, I am." I sigh.

"Any reason why?" He probes as he whisks a pad of butter into a sauce to finish it.

I wipe the edge of the plate while waiting for that sauce and lean against the edge of the counter. Kurt is someone who I know will keep my secret. He and Jamie were already speculating about Mads and how she has motivated the progress I've made. I lean toward him and he eagerly tilts his body my way.

In a low tone I say. "You might be onto something about Mads."

"No shit! How did you manage to work that out?" He asks as he drizzles the thick, rich sauce over the meat on the plate.

"Shhh." I hush him, seeing Paige quietly building a side salad and not wanting to draw her attention. "I haven't worked anything out yet but I'm meeting up with her tonight. So if I'm sporting a black eye tomorrow you know why."

"Do you get the sense that she's into you?" Kurt questions as I wipe the plate again and add a garnish.

"I think she's attracted to me but I guess I'll find out tonight." I respond with a shrug.

"Is that the plate for Table 33?" Paige appears stealthily next to us.

"You bet." I smile and wink at her before realizing that I'm letting my good mood carry me a little too far.

Paige blushes like crazy as she accepts the dish and vacates the kitchen. "Don't be giving that girl false hope." Kurt scolds.

"I know. I told Mads about her persistence." I tell Kurt.

"I bet she didn't tell you to wink at her." Kurt continues to ridicule me.

"I slipped up. I'm just...I feel good. First time in a long time that I've felt like this." I acknowledge. I hate to say it but women have largely been disposable to me up until now. We have a good time physically but I've never wanted to date any of them.

"That's good, man. I hope..." He stalls for a second.

"Just spit it out." I motion with my hand.

"I hope you don't get your heart squashed for your little confession." He says quickly.