myself when I put the deposit on my apartment that once I was moved in and only cooking for me, that I would start eating better and taking better care of myself. The apartment complex has pools for me to swim laps and a gym for me to workout in. I’m actually pretty excited to get started.
As I push my cart into the check stand, I remember I forgot coffee. I can’t wake up tomorrow morning to no coffee. As I start to back up, I run into whoever is behind me. When I turn to apologize, the words die on my lips.
Cord.
“Ellie. Fancy meeting you here,” Cord chuckles.
“Hey, Cord. Sorry. I forgot coffee and that would be a tragedy first thing in the morning,” I joke. He backs out of my way, and as I pass him, I watch as he assesses what’s in my cart. He is built like a brick shithouse, so when he grins, I assume it’s because my cart is full of healthy, unprocessed food.
“You must like to cook,” he approves.
“Why would you say that?” I ask.
“Well, everything in that cart needs to be prepared. It’s not like a TV dinner.” He wrinkles his nose when he says TV dinner and it’s pretty damn cute.
I chuckle and reply, “You’re right. I’m trying to eat better, and I do love to cook actually.”
His expression turns serious for a moment and I start to pull away to get my coffee. His next words stop me again though.
“What do you do for a living, Ellie?” he asks.
“I just finished my culinary certificate, so I’m actually looking for a job right now.” I smile because I’m so proud of the path I’m on.
He studies me for a moment before responding. “It just so happens that I know of a place looking for an entry-level line chef, if you’re interested.”
“I am very interested. Is it close by?” I ask eagerly.
“As a matter of fact, it’s right down the road from our apartment building. Maybe you’ve heard of it, ‘Saint’?” he asks almost nervously.
“I have heard of it, but I’ve never had the pleasure of eating there. I’ve heard wonderful things about their food though. It’s a little too expensive for my pocketbook,” I reply honestly.
“Well, it just so happens I know the owner, so I could put in a good word for you,” he retorts with a smirk.
“Why would you do that? You don’t even know me, Cord.” I ask, realizing this conversation just turned into a flirt session.
“You’re right. I don’t know you, but we could change that,” he hints, smiling full watt now.
And that’s all it takes for me to start freaking out on the inside. I’m flirting with a hot guy, who I’m pretty sure just hit on me. I’m an almost thirty-nine-year old, divorced mother of three for shit’s sake. This guy is so out of my league!
“Look, Cord, I appreciate the offer, but I’ll get a job on my own. I’m damn good at what I do, that should account for something,” I reply cheerfully. I don’t want him to think I’m ungrateful. But my entire adult life has revolved around depending on other people for my well-being, and I won’t ever let that happen again. I will find the perfect job all by myself.
He once again gives me that quizzical look like he’s trying to figure out an answer without asking me a question. It kind of makes me uncomfortable.
“Okay then,” he finally replies. “I do think you should put in for the position though. I’ll keep my nose out of it.”
“I’ll think about it,” I appease.
“In the meantime, why don’t you let me take you to Saint for dinner tomorrow night?” Cord questions, his voice having dropped a little lower, if that’s even possible. The man’s voice drips with lust all the time. It’s smooth and deep and makes me want to rip his clothes off.
Wait, what now? Not happening. Rein it in, Ellie.
“I appreciate the offer, Cord, but I just moved into the new place and need to get things settled. Maybe some other time,” I reply before starting to push my cart again to go retrieve the coffee I’ve almost managed
As I push my cart into the check stand, I remember I forgot coffee. I can’t wake up tomorrow morning to no coffee. As I start to back up, I run into whoever is behind me. When I turn to apologize, the words die on my lips.
Cord.
“Ellie. Fancy meeting you here,” Cord chuckles.
“Hey, Cord. Sorry. I forgot coffee and that would be a tragedy first thing in the morning,” I joke. He backs out of my way, and as I pass him, I watch as he assesses what’s in my cart. He is built like a brick shithouse, so when he grins, I assume it’s because my cart is full of healthy, unprocessed food.
“You must like to cook,” he approves.
“Why would you say that?” I ask.
“Well, everything in that cart needs to be prepared. It’s not like a TV dinner.” He wrinkles his nose when he says TV dinner and it’s pretty damn cute.
I chuckle and reply, “You’re right. I’m trying to eat better, and I do love to cook actually.”
His expression turns serious for a moment and I start to pull away to get my coffee. His next words stop me again though.
“What do you do for a living, Ellie?” he asks.
“I just finished my culinary certificate, so I’m actually looking for a job right now.” I smile because I’m so proud of the path I’m on.
He studies me for a moment before responding. “It just so happens that I know of a place looking for an entry-level line chef, if you’re interested.”
“I am very interested. Is it close by?” I ask eagerly.
“As a matter of fact, it’s right down the road from our apartment building. Maybe you’ve heard of it, ‘Saint’?” he asks almost nervously.
“I have heard of it, but I’ve never had the pleasure of eating there. I’ve heard wonderful things about their food though. It’s a little too expensive for my pocketbook,” I reply honestly.
“Well, it just so happens I know the owner, so I could put in a good word for you,” he retorts with a smirk.
“Why would you do that? You don’t even know me, Cord.” I ask, realizing this conversation just turned into a flirt session.
“You’re right. I don’t know you, but we could change that,” he hints, smiling full watt now.
And that’s all it takes for me to start freaking out on the inside. I’m flirting with a hot guy, who I’m pretty sure just hit on me. I’m an almost thirty-nine-year old, divorced mother of three for shit’s sake. This guy is so out of my league!
“Look, Cord, I appreciate the offer, but I’ll get a job on my own. I’m damn good at what I do, that should account for something,” I reply cheerfully. I don’t want him to think I’m ungrateful. But my entire adult life has revolved around depending on other people for my well-being, and I won’t ever let that happen again. I will find the perfect job all by myself.
He once again gives me that quizzical look like he’s trying to figure out an answer without asking me a question. It kind of makes me uncomfortable.
“Okay then,” he finally replies. “I do think you should put in for the position though. I’ll keep my nose out of it.”
“I’ll think about it,” I appease.
“In the meantime, why don’t you let me take you to Saint for dinner tomorrow night?” Cord questions, his voice having dropped a little lower, if that’s even possible. The man’s voice drips with lust all the time. It’s smooth and deep and makes me want to rip his clothes off.
Wait, what now? Not happening. Rein it in, Ellie.
“I appreciate the offer, Cord, but I just moved into the new place and need to get things settled. Maybe some other time,” I reply before starting to push my cart again to go retrieve the coffee I’ve almost managed
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