Chapter 2

“Tyler, thanks for your concern, but I’ve put too much time and energy into this opening to put it off. I need to get it off the ground for cash-flow purposes. Besides, what good would wallowing about my mom do?”

He cupped her shoulders in a tender gesture. “You left here at three this morning, and Sadie told me you were back by eight. Baby, you’ve got to sleep and give yourself time to grieve.”

She’d rather not.

Leaning forward, she placed a soft kiss on his cheek. “You’re going to make some woman a great husband someday.”

“You asking me?”

Alyssa snorted. “Do I look like the white-picket-fence type? Get your ass back to work.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He saluted her and turned away, only to turn back again. “Oh, I forgot to tell you, some guy is here to see you. Some chef.”

“Luc Traverson?” she breathed.

“Yeah. He said you two had an appointment. He didn’t look too happy. Is he the dude doing the guest chef gig this week?”

Tyler’s question regist