Yes, Chef

Chapter 15: Follow Up

~Mads's POV~

"You told him it was my 30th birthday?! Thanks for backdating me, I guess." Joellen laughs at my misery when I explain to her everything going on between me and Benedict.

"That's the part you choose to comment on?" I roll my eyes.

"Hey let me bask in my newfound youth for a moment, okay? We'll get to your indiscretions in a minute." She taunts.

I continue my battle rope routine, breathing heavily through it, while nervously waiting for Joellen's judgment. Finally, she speaks. "Okay. I think you're officially an idiot."

I keep going, fueled by my agitation but remain quiet. She must notice my nostril flare because she continues explaining her assessment. "You've got one foot out the door. I mean hasn't your license lapsed?"

"I'm still...in my renewal....period." I lie.

"With no intention of renewing." She points out. "What happens if your rejection sends him spiraling? What happens if he's your one shot at true love?"

"Now you're speculating. That's not healthy. Ground it in fact." I try to take my own advice.

"Okay. Fact 1: Benedict is hot. Fact 2: He likes you. Fact 3: You like him too." She spouts off.

"I said no speculating." I finish my workout and drop the ropes with a dull thud. Joellen hands me my water.

"Maybe you need to stop living in denial. A fine looking man has taken a shine to you. You're scared of your attraction to him and are hiding behind the job you no longer want." I hate that she's dealing in truth even though that's what I asked her to do.

"Maybe." I answer weakly.

"You live!" Garrison enters the workout space we're occupying.

I stifle a groan. Just what I don't need right now. But I play nice. "Hi Garrison."

Joellen slips out, stranding me alone with Garrison. I swear she's close to getting her BFF card revoked.

"Have you not been back since you were sick or are you avoiding me?" He cuts to the chase.

Truth is I haven't been back to the gym in some time. Partially because I was shaken for a few days following the incident. I say as much. "I'm back now."

"Must have been some illness. So, to make up for missing my birthday..." He starts.

"Garrison, no." I say, shaking my head. "Look, we're just going to be friends, okay?"

"Well yeah." He scoffs.

"Just friends." I reiterate.

"Obviously." He states but as he's saying one thing, his behavior is signaling another as he ogles me.

"I'm serious." I inform him, ducking to meet his eyes. He gives me a wide smile.

"Uh huh."

I roll my eyes. He's obviously not listening, probably thinking he's going to convince me to fold. He's underestimating my patience. I think I'm going to ask Vic to back me up here.

***

"What's going on with you and Garrison?" Vic questions before I even remove my coat. I asked him to meet me and he suggested the crappy little bar attached to the bowling alley.