Delectable • cth

Chapter 11

Working was... weird. But they got it done. The two just wanted to pull each other away every once in a while, compliment each other, flirt, and maybe even kiss some. Though they knew they couldn't, and absolutely wouldn't. It was enough of a risk being together only at home, let alone the kitchen.

"Can you go grab some more fresh veggies? Just whatever we need to prep more of?" Calum asked, raising his brows and glancing at the girl beside him and continuing to chop some carrots. "Definitely carrots, I think I'm about to use all of these."

Aliyah nodded, turning on her heel and starting to make her way towards the back of the kitchen, where all that day's fresh produce was stored carefully in the fridge. She was collecting carrots and a few other items before turning once again and almost running directly into her best friend. "Oh my god, you just scared the shit out of me."

"What happened when you confronted him?" He crossed his arms over his chest.

Wide eyed, Aliyah just shook her head. "Nothing. We just talked and decided to leave it behind us like adults."

"Mhm, sure." Luke rolled his eyes, waiting silently for her to spill the actual story.

"I don't know what you're staring at me for, there's a simple rule that some of us want to follow, Luke." She whispered, starting to walk past him. "I can't lose this job."

The curly blonde's jaw dropped, gently grabbing her arm to stop her from walking any farther away. "Oh my god, you guys totally got together." he chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Was he good?"

"Luke!" She quickly scolded, her eyes going wide again, but the blood rushing to her cheeks gave her away. He laughed again, wiggling his eyebrows at her. "You're insane, I don't know what you're talking about."

"Come over tonight after work?" He asked softly, tossing an arm over her shoulder and walking back to the kitchen with her. "I want to hang out with my best friend."

"Fine, only because I know what you're doing." The girl sighed, hip bumping him away from her as she gently set the fresh vegetables on the counter near Calum. "I'll get these chopped and ready."

"Thank you, Ally." Calum smiled softly, finishing up another dish and plating it so it could go out to the customer. "Don't do all of them, just like one or two carrots for–"

"The pigeon is on the porch." One of the servers suddenly looked around the kitchen as he stepped through the swinging door. His eyes landed on Aliyah and the girl's heart sank. "They're asking for Aliyah to make them something."

Calum glanced from the server to who he'd consider his girlfriend, then shook his head. "Who is it?"

The server swallowed thickly, watching the color drain from Aliyah's face when the name finally left his mouth. "Harrington."

"Oh god." She mumbled, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes. "Fuck, I feel like I don't remember anything."

Calum watched her tense up a bit, more nervous than he had ever seen her. She was so calm and collected when she cooked for him to convince him she deserved the job. "Come on, to the freezer, we gotta shock your system and it'll all come flooding back."

The chef didn't hesitate before grabbing her wrist and pulling her to the deep freezer and closing the door behind them. "Calum, I–" She took a deep breath, shaking her head. "I can't. After what he said about me..."

"You are the most amazing chef I know." Calum whispered, grabbing her shoulders and staring down at her. "Look at me, Ally. I mean that with absolutely everything in me. Watching you cook is probably my favorite thing to do here because you just... do it. You float around the kitchen."