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right through the walls separating the dining room from the kitchen. Part of her was thrilled that they were intent on showing her how determined they were to be near her. Another part was pissed off at the lack of space they were allowing her. She got a grip. They had to eat. The kitchen was supposed to be finished today, but it probably wasn’t and they had decided to come here and eat her cooking. It was a compliment. Funny how she just wanted to tear off her hat and go sit with them, and eat and talk and hold their hands. Of course feeding herself would be an issue if she did that, but they wouldn’t let her go hungry. They just wanted to take care of her. She knew that, and most of the time it wasn’t unpalatable. Surely they would come to an understanding in time. But she wasn’t going on a vacation with them. Nope, she wasn't going to some warm, beautiful place with white sand and lapping waves and ocean breezes. They would have her naked and under them the whole freaking time, and she would end up doing whatever they wanted, including marrying Warren and probably agreeing to being knocked up within the year. She probably wouldn’t even get to swim in that ocean or play on that beach. Haley set her jaw. She wasn’t ready. She loved her job, and she wanted to experience life.
    “Chef.” Richard’s voice intruded on Haley’s self lecture. She started and turned to face him. His eyes were troubled, and she felt her stomach clench in reaction. Richard might get dramatic at times, but he rarely overreacted. That was what made him an excellent maître d’, despite his atrocious affected French accent.
    “What is it, Richard?”
    “Jeffrey is sitting at table four,” he advised. “I was busy, and Melinda didn’t know what to do when he came in with another man and asked to be seated. She wasn’t here the night he imploded, although she knew he was done working here. Anyway, I don’t like the feel of things.”
    Haley took a breath and thought quickly. Mr. Lewis was over at the new restaurant and wouldn’t be in for some time. She could go and ask Jeffrey to leave, but chances were he would cause a scene and that wouldn’t be good for business. She made her decision.
    “Treat him like every other customer, Richard, please. Let’s hope he brought a friend to show that the kitchen isn’t perfect without him. We’ll give him a terrific meal on the house, and he might have enough class to move on. If not,”—Haley shrugged—“well, I’ll cross the bridge if we come to it.”
    Richard nodded, but she could tell he didn’t like it. He knew Jeffrey far better than she did and had told her how overlooked Jeffrey felt when she replaced the previous chef. Jeffrey believed she had usurped him. Haley knew that Jeffrey didn’t have the skill to be executive chef, but he was a very good sous chef when he wasn’t undermining her. She sighed and patted Richard’s shoulder.
    “Thanks, Richard. Here’s hoping.”
    Richard forced a smile and said, “Your men are waiting for their meal, Chef. You are certainly a lucky woman. If you ever get tired of the one with the oh-so-blue eyes, let me know, will you?”
    Haley laughed, although her conscience pricked her. Warren did love her, she knew, so why couldn’t she commit to him and Gordon? She replied, “Warren isn’t gay, Richard. Not even bisexual, I’m afraid.”
    Richard’s eyes widened, and she smacked his arm lightly. “Quit thinking about my sex life, and get back to work.”
    She watched him leave the kitchen and for a moment pondered her present nonexistent sex life, then settled into the routine of the kitchen. She had to fall back on her tried but true entrées because Mr. Lewis hadn’t obtained the ingredients she wanted for some new ideas because Gordon had talked him into closing for two weeks! Haley gritted her teeth. She was right to keep them at arm’s length right now.
    Things went smoothly for the next hour. Covers flowed out with the