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have to look around, sweetie. He’s out there somewhere.”
    I doubt that.
“Maybe.” Just then, a loud crash resounded from the direction of the kitchen. “Hey, I’ve got to go. I’ll call before you leave next Friday.”
    â€œOkay. Love you, baby.”
    â€œLove you, too.”
    Hanging up, she heaved a sigh. Between her mother, Gray’s pursuit, and the restaurant, she was on her way to developing a headache. She headed for the kitchen to see what disaster had befallen them, hurrying when she heard the yelling. Stepping inside, she drew up short, and took in the scene. Flour was everywhere—on the floor, the counter, and all over her head chef.
    â€œ. . . the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Ethan screamed into Gray’s face. “You imbecile! Did you get your certification from a box of cereal? Did it come with a plastic toy inside, too?”
    Gray’s hands clenched into fists at his sides, and his body was tense. Lines of strain were etched around his mouth, his lips pressed into a grim line. Anna didn’t know him well, but she could tell that it was very, very difficult for an alpha male like Gray to stand there and take what Ethan was dishing out. But take it he did, and he managed to keep his tone respectful, if just barely.
    â€œI’m sorry, sir,” he said, looking the head chef right in the eye. “The container slipped out of my hands. It won’t happen again.”
    â€œYou’re goddamned right it won’t! Because if it does, you’ll be lucky to get a recommendation from me as a fry cook at McDonald’s!”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    Anna started forward, then stopped. As much as she wanted to intervene, rush to Gray’s rescue, under no circumstances could she undermine Ethan’s authority by reprimanding him in front of his staff. And they
were
his by unwritten rule, even though she was the owner of the establishment.
    â€œAnd the cost of the flour is coming out of your paycheck! Fucking clean this shit up!”
    â€œRight away.”
    â€œOf all the idiotic fucking . . .” Ethan turned back to the pan on the stove, continuing to grumble to himself.
    Shooting Gray looks ranging from sympathy to silent support, the others slowly returned to their tasks. None risked the chef’s wrath by helping him when he grabbed a broom and dustpan and started sweeping. A pang of feeling swept through Anna, something more than sympathy. Whatever is was stirred in her breast, and in a way, it hurt.
    Walking over, she addressed the angry prep chef. “I’d like to see you in my office when you’re done.”
    He paused in his sweeping, gripping the broom handle tightly. “If you’re going to fire me, I’d prefer you do it now.”
    â€œWhether you’re fired is Ethan’s decision,” she said, well aware that the others were hanging on their every word. “He’s given you another chance, and that’s good enough for me. This is about something else.”
    â€œAll right,” he said with a nod, expression relieved. “I’ll be there as soon as I’m done.”
    Giving him an encouraging smile, she patted him on the arm. “See you soon.”
    In the office, she booted up her laptop and tried to busy herself studying profit and loss reports from Jeff. The numbers kept blurring on the screen as she remembered last night. Gray’s strength as he fought off her attacker. His caring afterward.
    He was so handsome, his blue eyes studying her in concern. His streaked brown hair sticking in every direction. Those lips that knew how to deliver a toe-curling kiss.
    â€œMiss Claire?”
    Gray stood in the doorway, practically filling the space. For one insane moment, she wanted to rip off those drab kitchen whites and see if his big body was as delectable naked as it had appeared last night in his jeans and T-shirt.
    â€œAnna,