Kitchen Affairs Read Free Page A

groups today. He made it fun by allowing us to compete in groups. It was a way to allow us to feel comfortable in the kitchen and to interact with our peers. I wasn’t the competing type, but I was grouped with one other woman and three attractive men, so it was a thrill to show off my skills.
    “Oh gees, excuse me!” I squealed as I felt a hand brush the small of my lower back. I was smacked against a hard chest trying to keep my stance.
    “No problem,” he gleamed as I stood there looking like an idiot. I quickly backed up nodding my apologies and continued walking towards the counter. Ugh, I need to watch where I’m going.
    “Brad. My name is Brad. It’s nice to meet you,” he greeted catching up to me with his hand out.
    “Molly. Nice to meet you Brad,” I responded shyly wondering why he felt the need to introduce himself. I guess it was appropriate considering my breasts were just smashed up against him. Well, that was embarrassing.
    We contin ued our project and fortunately finished first. It felt amazing to know my skills and knowledge could finally be used in a real, state of the art kitchen.
    Proud of our accomplishment we decided to grab a drink after class. I quickly text Michael to make sure he could pick Stella up at 3:45. I needed some sort of social life considering I only socialized with a four-year-old and my roommate, who was often busy writing or hooking up.
    Michael had been my lifesaver ever since Liam’s death. He would come over and lay with me in bed while I cried myself to sleep and get up with Stella to feed or change her. There were days I could hardly get out of bed, and Michael never complained or rushed me to ‘get over it’. He would bring Stella in bed with me and let me snuggle her until we both fell asleep. I would wake up hours later with Michael putting her back in her crib or staying up to play with her. If it weren’t for Michael, I  honestly don't know where I'd be. 
    “Where to Blakely?” I asked the other woman in our group who was leading us down to a tavern I didn’t recognize. She was in her early twenties with beautiful, thick blonde hair that swept her shoulder blades. She was extremely chatty but sweet.
    The last girlfriends I had were during my first year of high school. It was before I met Liam and I was still doing gymnastics on the weekends. We used to try on each other’s clothes and walk to the mall after school. I haven’t had girlfriend socialization since Liam and I got serious sophomore year.
    “To kicking ass on our second day!” Brad cheered with his beer held high. The rest of us clinked our glasses together and took a drink. Brad was next to the other two men in our group checking the game while Blakely and I stayed in the booth gossiping.
    “So who do you think has the best ass?” Blakely asked me as we watched the men bend over the bar. Well, she’s blunt.
    I laughed at her forwardness. She seemed like she probably enjoyed living the single life. She was beautiful after all, but I sensed she had a low self-esteem. I sensed being used for sex was probably the result of that.
    “Hmm… Brad  has a hot body, but Anthony has a pretty fine ass,” I responded giggling like this conversation was just ridiculous.
    “I don’t know. Micah is pretty hot,” Blakely said while licking her lips enjoying the view in front of us. Hmm… I bet she’s enjoying the eye candy.
    We continued drinking and laughing when I saw out of the corner of my eye the tavern door open . A tall, stunning Drake Stagliano stepped in looking completely out of place. I stopped laughing, and my mouth dropped opened. I was speechless. Blakely noticed my sudden mood change and quickly turned around to see the handsome figure sit at the bar. Her mouth dropped as she turned to look at me.
    “Ohhhhhhmiiiiigooooood,” Blakely whispered to me with wide eyes. Obviously, she noticed him. This should be interesting. Why would he be here, in this tavern?
    “Oh dear god….”