"I see." He runs his finger across his chin. "I expect loyalty, Cadence. If your situation with Trevino changes, I need you to tell me."
"I will," I offer even though I'm not sure if I actually will. I can't imagine anything between the two of us changing. I sacrificed my relationship with him for my career. Brendon doesn't like taking a backseat to anyone.
"I'll expect you at the VIP event." He pushes his palms against the table as he stands. "Space is limited so don't bring your roommate with you."
I hadn't planned on it. I know Sophia has a sewing class every second Friday after work. I doubt like hell she'd give that up to tagalong to a work party with me. "I'll come alone."
His lips curve into a wry smile. "As I said, you're interesting, Cadence. I'm looking forward to spending time with you on Friday night."
***
"He knows you slept with Brendon?" Sophia holds a measuring tape against my left arm. "Who would tell him that?"
I drop my left arm and raise the right when she taps my shoulder. "It was probably Brendon. He couldn't keep his mouth shut about the stuff we did."
"What kind of stuff did you do?"
I don't answer. None of it fell into the realm of kinky. We had sex, sometimes in places we shouldn't have. Brendon's desire to take me in spots where we risked getting caught only amplified his need to tell his friends about it. He's a twenty-seven-year-old man who lives his life like he's a freshman in college.
"I'm just glad that part of my life is over."
"Do you think Tyler believes that it is?"
I turn so I can look at her. "I think so. He sees how hard I work. He must know that I take my career seriously. I have nothing to do with Brendon anymore. That's my past."
She nods as she tucks the measuring tape into the pocket of her jeans. "I have all your measurements, Den. I'll finish up your dress so when you walk into Nova on Friday night, Tyler Monroe won't remember his own name, let alone Brendon's."
CHAPTER 7
Sophia wasn't kidding about the dress. When she showed it to me last night, I literally had to sit down. It's black, short with a skirt that stops three inches above my knees. The top has a draped neckline and the back is virtually non-existent. The only thing holding the halter type top in place is a length of silver chain Sophia attached near the top of the back of the dress. It's sexy, disarming and when she watched me pin up my hair and apply make-up for a practice run-through, she squealed in delight. I almost did the same tonight when I got ready.
I'm in front of the restaurant now, teetering precariously in four inch heels. I'm not the dress up type, unless I'm headed to a club with Sophia, or going on a date. I haven't done the latter since I broke up with Brendon. I also haven't worn this high of heels in forever so I'm hoping that I don't accidentally fall into the lap of one of the food critics Tyler invited to the party.
I open the door and I'm instantly greeted with the meshed sounds of soft jazz and muted voices. The restaurant is swarming with people, all dressed sharply for the occasion. Some of the servers are in their uniforms, carrying trays filled with the recently introduced one bite appetizers. Virtually every person has a drink in their hand.
It's the same space where we serve hundreds of people dinner each night, but tonight it's different. The lighting is even more relaxed, the mood casual. It's transformed. The ambiance is inviting and intimate.
I spot another junior chef across the room. It's Maribel. She started working for Tyler when the restaurant first opened last year. She raises her hand as a beacon for me. I can sense by the expression on her face that she feels just as misplaced as I do. I'm grateful she's here, even if I hadn't realized how much I would need a friendly shoulder to lean on.
"Holy fuck, Cadence." She reaches her hands forward to grab my shoulders. "You look amazing. I feel underdressed."
She shouldn't. She's striking in a deep purple dress, accented with a strand of single pearls around her neck. Her long black hair flows in soft waves over her shoulders. I've never seen her like this. "Me? You look like a completely different person with your hair down."
She laughs, and I grab onto that delight, hoping it will chase away the lingering anxiety I'm feeling. I want to help present Nova in the best light possible. This is the place where I plan to gather not only knowledge, but accomplishments, so I can one day open my own restaurant.
"I feel out of place," she confesses as she loops her arm through mine. "Why don't we mingle as a duo? You can lean on me and I'll lean on you."