The Spice of Life

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

Leo was caramelizing onions when he heard the commotion start from outside of the kitchen.

He had been opening the restaurant on time, every day, as instructed. He served the best food he could prepare and tried to take on the business side of things. It had barely been four days and he was already well over his head.

And, more than anything, he missed Brynn. It was like a gaping wound on his heart that ached more with every beat. He couldn't go after her, she didn't answer when he called, and Grace hadn't heard anything from her or Jess.

There was nothing harder than accepting that there was not a single thing that you could do. It filled him with a sense of helplessness and misery he hadn't imagined possible. But Lance was right. Bringing Brynn back by force would accomplish nothing. In the long run, she would just be able to use that as an excuse to leave again.

He simply had to trust her to come back on her own. It was hard because he was so unsure. Maybe if he had a little confidence that she would come back to him, he could bear this time apart.

But he didn't know. He didn't even know if he dared hope. All he could do was wait. The waiting was also the worst part.

He cooked in his kitchen and he trudged through the day and he waited. After all, no matter how much time seemed to slow, it still marched on. He knew that because he could look back at this past eternity and realize it had only been four days since she had left.

His movements were mechanical, some people whispered that he had lost his spark, but he kept moving on regardless. He had no choice, after all.

So when he heard the commotion, he barely paid it any attention at first. He had to finish these onions to add to the steak that was due to leave his kitchen soon. Paying attention to his food was the only thing that had gotten him through these four days.

But, he couldn't ignore the noises any longer when the door of the kitchen burst open.

He turned quickly to yell at the person for throwing the door open like that but his voice froze in his throat.

Standing in the doorway, almost like she had never left and even daring to smile at him, was Brynn.

They both just stood there as the door shut back behind her.

There was more than a little awkward silence.

He felt like he should run to her. He should say something at least. But his voice died and his body just ceased to move. It almost felt surreal.

Because she couldn't be standing there like she had never left. She couldn't have been smiling at him like nothing was wrong.

Brynn didn't really know what to do. Her only thought had been reaching this kitchen. She had been so focused on that that she hadn't even spared a moment to decide how to act once she got there.

What if he was mad at her? She would deserve it if he was. But she wasn't at all certain how to say sorry for turning coward and running from the most amazing thing in the world.

So they were left just standing there, looking at one another. He didn't have a single expression on his face, not one clue to tell her what he was thinking.

“Hi.” she finally said lamely. She even waved. Then she cursed herself. What kind of thing was that to say? And the wave? Who waved? That was stupid.

But Leo said back calmly, “Hi.” At least he didn't wave.

“Making a steak?” Brynn asked because she had to say something.