Redemption (Iris Series) by Rebecca Lynn

on?”
    “Come on, I’ll tell you on the way,” she said as she pushed him out the door.
    She happily looped her arm in his and headed to the elevator.
    “So, don’t leave me in suspense.”
    She began, “You know that I’m meeting with Janie tomorrow, right?”
    “Yeah?”  He walked them into the elevator and pressed the button for the garage.
    “She called about an hour ago and we’d already tossed around the idea of doing something together…so she tells me her right hand man who had been her assistant chef with her catering business got a call that his mom had a stroke and he needs to move back home to help her.”
    “That’s too bad.  But I think I see where this is going,” he said raising his eyebrow with a smile touching on his lips.
    She nodded excitedly.  “So she asked if I would take his position!  Isn’t that fuckin’ awe some?!” she squealed, and hugged his arm.
    He couldn’t help but laugh.  “You’re so adorable right now,” he finished with a chuckle.
    “She was so happy to ask me and it felt so good to be wanted.  I know we’re going to do great things together.  We both have the same philosophy, have pretty much the same training.  You should’ve heard us on the phone.  We were like teenagers,” she giggled.
    “That is fuckin’ awesome,” he smiled down at her.  “I’m happy for you, babe,” he laughed happily, squeezing her arm back.
    She blinked at the endearment and tried to ignore the zing she felt go through her.
    The elevator reached the garage and they stepped out.
    “You’ll be able to swing it financially?”
    “Yeah.  She actually offered the same as what I’m making now, and then tomorrow we’ll hash out the rest of the details.”
    “So, you’re handing in your resignation tonight at the restaurant?” he asked as he led them to his car.
    “Yup.  No more taking the subway at one in the morning.”
    He slowed his walking and looked at her, then began walking again taking her arm and leading her to the silver Jaguar parked in the back.
    “I guess when you’re in the restaurant business you have to work crazy hours.  I don’t know why I hadn’t thought about you getting home so late.  You shouldn’t be taking the subway that late at night.  It’s not safe.”
    He took out his key fob and unlocked the doors.
    “It was only a couple of days a week.  Swanky car,” she cooed.
    He opened the door for her and she slid onto the smooth leather seats.  She was still running her hand over the seat when he slid in next to her.
    He nailed her with a look.  “I don’t want you to take the subway home tonight.  Were you planning on working your whole shift, or were you going to hand in your resignation when you got there, and just leave?”
    “I’ll work my shift.  I don’t want to leave them in the lurch.  I certainly don’t owe anything to the owner, but the chef and I have become good friends and I don’t want to leave Catherine hanging tonight,” she said, referring to the head chef.
    “I’ll pick you up after work.  That’s crazy, a woman taking the subway at one o’clock in the morning,” he muttered, as he pulled his car out the slot.
    “No.  You’re not picking me up that late.  You’ll be in bed getting your beauty sleep, Johnny Be Good.  I’ve been riding the subway for a long time, so don’t worry about it, Daddy.”
    He was already shaking his head halfway through her speech.  “No.  This is your last night.  Just let me pick you up, okay?  It’ll make me feel better.”
    She looked at him for a moment and tried to keep the mood light, even though she was incredibly touched by his offer.  She’d been taking care of herself for so long she almost didn’t know how to react when someone took control.  “Is this another ‘guy friend’ thing?” she teased.
    “Yes…first of all, where am I going again?”
    She gave him the name and cross streets of the restaurant, and he pulled out into the city