The Spice of Life

Chew the Fat

Chew the Fat

Brynn opened up the front doors of Thyme & Sage with a big smile on her face. She couldn't imagine a better way to spend the morning than snuggling so closely with a man who was so good at it.

Sure, she had closed the shop that night and was now opening it the next morning and no, she didn't get that much sleep. However, she hadn't ever felt so awake. So alive. She hadn't even needed the fantastic coffee that Leo had brewed up this morning. She had drank it, of course she had. There was nothing Leo could cook, stew, or bake that she wouldn't eat. She would even try turkey if he dared to make it and she didn't at all like turkey. But she hadn't actually required that caffeine boost to get started on her day.

She might have even been humming under her breath. She wasn't going to admit it though.

Leo was already in the kitchen with the rest of the staff. The kitchen had to begin preparing before the dinning room did. Brynn was the first of the wait staff to arrive but that was fine with her. She was looking forward to her work today even more than she usually was.

She began lighting candles, turning on the music, prepping the bar with her feet practically dancing on clouds. If anyone saw her doing that, she would deny it. People didn't need to know that she could be happy and airy. She had a reputation to uphold after all.

Brynn didn't know, because none of the servers who came in told her, that her face was practically glowing. There was a light in her eyes that hadn't been there yesterday. She would have hated to hear it, but it was so very obvious that she was incredibly happy about something.

Those who went into the kitchen and saw Leo's smile had no trouble guessing what that was. After all, Brynn and Leo were a well known thing in town. It was so established at this point that no one was even talking about it anymore. It was old news, it was accepted.

Brynn wouldn't have liked to hear that either. It was a good thing then that no one was willing to tell her.

Grace and Lance came in that afternoon after the bakery had closed and Lance had gotten off of work. They were both dressed up, they both looked just as happy as Brynn.

“I'm guessing you don't have a reservation?” she asked them unable to stop herself from teasing just a little bit.

Lance sent a happy smirk. “I'll have you know, I know the chef.”

“Sure, sure. The old 'I-know-the-chef' routine.” Brynn laughed, picking up some drink menus. “Come on, you're lucky I have a table free or I'd-”

“What?” Lance interrupted. “You'd kick us out? Deny us service?”

“I'd be forced to seat you at the chef's table.” she finished with a grin to her cousin. Grace knew the privilege of the chef's table but, although it had been explained to him, Lance still didn't understand the supposed honor of eating in the kitchen.

She sat them at a little two seater in the back and promised to wait on them herself. Partly because they were family and partly because one of the waitresses called in this morning with the flu and Brynn had to pick up her slack. Being so happy, she didn't mind at all doing it.

After she brought Grace and Lance their drinks – and the two were so absorbed in each other by that point it was sickening – she returned to the kitchen to tell Leo they were there. None of Leo's family ordered at Thyme & Sage. He just made them whatever he pleased. Since he knew all of their tastes – Lance didn't like green beans, Grace didn't like anything sour – he was able to craft them original meals pretty much every single time. It was an honor granted to no one else but Leo's kin.