by Olivia Burke
Tom’s stomach clenched tightly at her response, and hoped against all odds that Aubrey hadn’t taken it too seriously. Instead he let go of her, reaching out to shake her mother’s hand.
“I am, Dr. Walker, it’s nice to finally meet you.”
She rewarded him with a smile. “Please call me Alice. And the other Dr. Walker is James.”
“Alice, thank you for inviting me into your home tonight,” he said without skipping a beat. “Aubrey has said so many nice things about you.”
“Has she now?” Dr. Walker raised a brow at her daughter.
“I’m sure you can guess how much I look forward to the meal,” Tom said quickly.
Alice laughed. “Yes, well, I hope it’s to your liking. It’s not everyday we get a celebrity chef in our home.”
Tom flushed, hating the term. As if she sensed it, too, Aubrey reached for his hand, lacing her fingers with his. “Mum, I’m going to take Tommy for a spin, introduce him to everyone.”
“Yes, do show him off,” Alice said, that little smile still playing on the corners of her mouth. “I need to check with your father about dinner.”
“Sorry about that,” she whispered.
“It’s what I signed up for, right?” Tom replied, squeezing her hand. “Don’t worry, we’re ripping the band-aid off, remember?”
“Too bad it’s sticking to every little hair,” she replied.
A shriek came from across the room. “Aubrey!”
“And there’s Bridezilla,” Aubrey mumbled under her breath. “I can’t believe she wasn’t there to tackle you at the front door.”
Tom struggled to keep a straight face as Chloe, looking stunning in a white dress, half-dragged over a man who could only be her future husband.
Aubrey introduced them. “Tommy, you remember my sister Chloe, and this is her fiancé, Greg.”
Greg was handsome enough, if not a bit nerdy, with a bowtie and wire-rimmed glasses perched on the end of his nose. But he offered a warm hug to Aubrey, which seemed to put her at ease, and firmly shook Tom’s hand with a welcoming smile.
“Nice to see you again, Chloe,” Tom said. “Congratulations on your engagement.”
Chloe beamed at him. “Thank you. And it’s so nice to see you again, the local celebrity chef! I just couldn’t believe it when Aubrey told me you two were dating.”
“Believe it,” Tom said, chuckling to hide his awkwardness. “I’m a lucky man.”
Chloe cooed, clutching at Greg’s arm. “That’s so sweet! Isn’t that sweet, Greg?”
“The sweetest,” Greg repeated. He met Tom’s eyes and the two of them tried not to laugh.
Someone else came up to congratulate the couple and Aubrey took the opportunity to drag Tom away, introducing him to at least a dozen other people, most of them close coworkers or aunts and uncles. His head spun with names, and he’d already forgotten the first half as she led him into another room with yet more family members.
There he met Dr. James Walker, Aubrey’s father. He didn’t seem quite as stiff as his wife, greeting Tom with a hardy shake and an offer of good bourbon on the rocks, which Tom wholeheartedly accepted. Plus James seemed thrilled to see Aubrey, and Tom was glad to see her relax a little. Until a loud male voice shouted behind them.
“OY! Crocodile Aaaub-rey!”
Aubrey went still. “Oh, no.”
“Oh no?” Tom repeated in confusion.
Before she could answer, however, two enormous blond guys swooped in, scooping her up and spinning her around. Aubrey yelped, but Tom relaxed when she started laughing. She took turns hugging them and finally introduced the boys.
“Hallo there,” one man said, shaking Tom’s hand so hard he nearly pulled his arm out of the socket. His yellow polo shirt pulled tight against his broad chest. “I’m Logan.”
“And I’m Cody,” the one in the blue polo said. “Good to meet you. Aubrey here is like our little sister, right, so we have a lot to discuss.”
They both had thick Australian accents, and just as Aubrey had promised, they didn’t appear to be anything like the rest of Aubrey’s family of snooty academics. Tom liked them immediately, and could already tell they’d be his favorites.
“Nice ink, Aubs,” Logan appreciatively, leaning in for a closer look at her shoulder.
Aubrey’s eyes lit up. “Thanks! How are yours looking?”
He tapped his ribcage. “Got a new one last month.”
“Of what?”
“A didgeridoo.”
“Shut up!” Aubrey cracked up. “You did not.”
“I did, too,” Logan shot back, though he smiled in such a way that Tom honestly didn’t know if he was serious.
“Tommy just got his first the other day,” Aubrey said, reaching for Tom’s hand and pointing to his arm where the ink hid beneath his sleeve. “Chef’s knife.”
“Well, now we gotta see,” Cody said, insisting Tom roll up his sleeve.
He did so, showing off the tattoo. The brothers murmured their appreciation and he was unable to help the ball of pride in his stomach when he saw the grin on Aubrey’s face. He loved his new ink, but seeing her so excited about it made him happy, too.
The Walkers called everyone to dinner, somehow fitting all the guests at the dining room table. They’d hired servers to bring out food and Tom enjoyed every single bite put in front of him. He and Aubrey sat near her cousins, who kept their younger end of the table in stitches. On the other end, Aubrey’s parents, Chloe and Greg, and their older guests discussed heavier topics, sharing exasperated looks whenever they felt Logan and Cody got a little too boisterous. Before long, dinner was over, coffee was served, and most guests bid their goodnights to everyone.
The Walkers insisted the few remaining guests retire to the more comfortable living room.
“Hey Chlo, when do we get to meet your bridesmaids?” Logan asked, winking at Cody.
“At the wedding and not a minute sooner,” Chloe said, rolling her blue eyes. “Please don’t try to impress them with knife tricks.”
“No worries there,” Cody said. “We’re in America, all we need is our accents, right?”
“And maybe the last name Hemsworth,” Chloe shot back.
The cousins shared a look and a shrug. “We’re blond and big-chested. Bet we can pass as an unheard-of-sibling.”
“Better liquor her up first,” Chloe said. “Then maybe you can pretend to be the oldest one.”
“Chloe,” Alice admonished.
“Oy, he’s doing pretty well for himself,” Cody said.
Tom hid a snort behind his hand, while Aubrey’s face was red with muffled laughter. They shared an oversized reading chair, Aubrey basically sitting in his lap, her arm wrapped around the back of the cushion. Not that he minded.
“What’s a Hemsworth?” James whispered loudly to Alice, making everyone else laugh.
“Say, where do you get a drink around these parts?” Logan asked Tom.
“Preferably where ladies also are,” Cody added.
Tom chuckled. “I’d say go to LUSH, but it’s almost last call. Try the dive bar a few doors down from it. They’re open until two.”
“Excellent,” Cody said, standing up. “C’mon brother, let’s go live it up a bit while we’re here.”
“We did fly all this way,” Logan agreed.
Aubrey hopped up to hug them goodbye, and Tom stood to shake their hands.
“Sure you don’t want to come with?” Logan asked.
Tom read the look on Aubrey’s face and put his hands up in defeat. “I’ll have to pass this time, guys. Probably not wise for me to leave family dinner to go drinking with the cousins.”
Cody grinned at Aubrey. “Guess he passes the test.”
“Ah, we’re more fun anyway, but I get your point. Make a good impression and all,” Logan said, nudging Tom in the ribs so hard he winced.
“Next time!” Cody said.
Tom felt sure they’d hold him to it. The two Australian cousins said their
farewells and headed out, already loudly discussing the best way to get girls to notice them.
“It’s getting late,” Chloe said, tugging on Greg’s arm. “We better get going since we have a few vendor meetings in the morning.”
“More?” Greg asked, sounding a little put out.
Chloe rolled her eyes. “Of course, but it’s only a few last-minute details with Victoria and the caterer. There are only three days left to make every detail perfect.”
The couple of honor hugged and kissed their family goodnight, even Tom. With the others having gone too, it was just the four of them: Tom and Aubrey, and James and Alice. Tom shot Aubrey a questioning look, who gave him an imperceptible nod. That’s my exit cue.
“Thank you all so much for dinner tonight,” Tom said, trying for a graceful way out.
“You’re not leaving yet, are you?” Alice asked, as if distraught at the idea. “Stay, please, we’re just getting to know each other.”
“Yes, how about another bourbon?” James grinned.
Tom looked to Aubrey again, who had already deflated in her seat. It seemed as if her parents wanted them to stay, then they would stay.
“Now, how did you get into your profession, Thomas?” Alice asked, making him cringe.
Tom told them a little about growing up with his dad, who they of course already knew. He didn’t dare hint about his father being in town; he had a feeling Alice would try to invite Patrick Flanagan to the wedding, and Tom could only handle one side of family drama at a time. Aubrey didn’t offer up the information, either, and he knew they were on the same page.
“And I’ve been at LUSH for almost five years now,” Tom finished, glancing at Aubrey with a smile. “It’s only gotten better every single day.”
Her cheeks flushed and she looked down in her lap, clearly suppressing a pleased smile.
“I hope there’s better money in being a chef than there is as a bartender,” Alice said, killing the smiles on both their faces.
“Dr. Walker–er, Alice–you wouldn’t call me ‘just’ a cook or chef, right?”
“Of course not,” she replied. “You’re not only providing sustenance, but creating art with your work.”
“I agree,” Tom said. “So I have to ask, why is Aubrey’s career any different?”
“‘Career,’” she repeated, astonished. “One can have a career in getting others drunk?”
“Alice,” James warned.
“Sitting right here, guys,” Aubrey mumbled.
“It’s not about that at all.” Tom’s anger simmered just below the surface. “You do realize what mixology is, right? It’s science!”
Alice snorted. “Stirring liquors together is hardly science.”
“Maybe not your brand of science.” Tom turned to Aubrey, whose face flushed at the argument. “Aubrey, why don’t you show off a little bit?”
“Show off?” Aubrey echoed. “You want me to make drinks?”
“Make the one you created for LUSH,” he requested. He turned to her parents. “She came up with this incredible drink; it’s the most popular one on the menu. It’s also the most expensive, and no one cares about that part because people come in specifically for her work. For her.”
“I don’t know …” Aubrey said, glancing at her parents.
“Go on, dear,” her father chimed in. “I could use a stiff drink right about now, anyways.”
Aubrey got up from her chair and moved back behind the wet bar by the fireplace. Her fingers danced over the bottles and ingredients, and Tommy watched her back straighten, a little smile coming to her face at apparently having what she needed. This was the Aubrey he knew and loved, the confident, self-assured young woman who refused to be bullied by customers or kitchen.
They watched Aubrey make a drink from memory, detailing the movements as she worked. “Just a bit of vermouth … zest to add a hint of flavor … a splash of grenadine …”
She continued explaining what worked for the drinks and why. Tom watched her parents; their expressions were bored, doubtful, but as Aubrey’s recipe continued, they became more interested. Aubrey’s confidence returned as she did what she did best, and by the time she’d finished their drinks, her look of embarrassment had disappeared, instead replaced with pride.
She placed two martini glasses in front of her parents, shooting Tom a nervous look. He offered her a reassuring smile, wanting nothing more than to reach for her hand in solidarity. Instead, she moved to clean up the bar, but Tom could see her watching them out of the corner of her eye for their reactions.
Her parents took one sip, then another. James hummed his approval. “I suppose I never thought about it in terms of science.”
“See?” Tom asked. “The depth of flavor, the way the ingredients perfectly complement each other? That takes talent and skill, especially when paired with your choice of meal.”
Alice licked her lips, looking at the glass again in surprise. “Well, Aubrey, this is quite good.”
“It’s better than good,” Tom admonished. “And never mind the other drinks she creates, or the wine list she’s memorized to pair with every plate. Being a mixologist isn’t easy, or something just anyone can do. Just like being a chef requires hard work and focus, so does her job. She practically has to study the menu every night like homework to make sure she knows every detail.”
He glanced at Aubrey, whose bright red cheeks gave her away. He forced himself to stop gushing, not meaning to embarrass her.
Luckily, Tom knew plenty about their university’s football team, and roused her parents into a lively conversation about the quarterback and defense. One glance to Aubrey showed her relief, and he gave himself a little mental pat on the back at his quick thinking.
Finally, Tom and Aubrey found an opening in their getaway. Aubrey’s parents walked them to the door and said their goodnights. Alice hugged Tom, while James pulled Aubrey close, patting her on the back. She pulled away, a smile on the corners of her lips, and James shook Tom’s hand.
“It was very nice to meet you, Tom.” James didn’t let go of his hand, instead patting it with his other one. “Look forward to seeing you again this weekend. And plenty more, I hope.”
“I hope so too, sir,” Tom said, glancing quickly at Aubrey, who hugged her mother.
Tom and Aubrey walked to the car in silence, getting in and heading back to their neighborhood.
“I’m sorry if I embarrassed you back there.” He gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter, not taking his eyes off the road. “I didn’t mean to put you on the spot like that–”
“Tommy.” Aubrey cut him off so sternly he immediately stopped talking. “What you did for me tonight is beyond anything I could’ve ever imagined. I can’t believe you stood up to them like that for me.”
Tom accepted her thanks without another word, a warm glow in his chest. He parked in his driveway but walked her across the street to the porch.
“Thank you again for being there tonight.” Aubrey bit her lower lip. “And for all of it, really, being the perfect fake boyfriend.”
“Right,” Tom said, the glow fading at the words. “Of course, you’re welcome.”
She moved in as if to kiss him but caught herself at the last second, planting her lips against his cheek instead.
“Goodnight.”
He stepped back, watching her walk up the stairs and to her door. Aubrey’s look of thanks was more than enough as he crossed the street back home.
The next two days went by without incident, though Aubrey found herself looking towards the kitchen a lot more during her shifts. Most of the time, she looked up to meet Tom’s eyes, and a grin came across her face every time.
Hunter rolled his eyes. “You two are like giggly little high schoolers. I keep expecting to walk in on you two making out in the fridge or something.”
“I’ve definitely walked in on you making out with someone behind this bar at least four times, Stone.”
He grimaced, backing off immediately
. “Touché.”
Natalie met her at the end of the bar to pick up a beer flight. She grinned at Aubrey.
“What?” she asked, self-conscious.
Natalie shrugged, still smiling. “I don’t know. You do seem a little more, what’s the term you use, ‘googly-eyed?’ What’s up?”
Aubrey’s voice went up an octave. “Nothing.”
“Uh, that tone most definitely means ‘something.’ Spill.”
“Okay, fine,” Aubrey admitted. She made sure no one was around to hear her, still lowering her voice. “There was this moment between us the other night, or so I thought anyway, and I almost kissed him.”
“What!” Natalie’s jaw dropped and she leaned in, the drink order temporarily forgotten. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah. I mean, it’s one thing to kiss him for the magazine shoot, but this was me getting completely caught up in the moment.”
“So what stopped you?”
Aubrey barked out a laugh. “Uh, the fact that we’re not really dating? He said all those things to impress my parents.”
Natalie didn’t look convinced, but it was the argument Aubrey told herself all night when thinking about it. Of course Tom stood up for her like that; as her friend–shoot, as her chef–of course he’d say those things. If it was good for her, it was good for him, and the restaurant. That was the whole point of this charade, wasn’t it, to impress her parents and build up the restaurant’s reputation?
So why did she feel so miserable at the mere thought of the looming fake break-up?
* * *
The day of her sister’s wedding arrived, and Aubrey spent the morning helping at the venue. She begged off after lunch, wanting to go home and shower before changing into her bridesmaids’ dress. Tom agreed to pick her up and head over early with her to avoid taking two cars.
She waited for him on her porch, eagerly standing and doing a little twirl in her floor-length, black bridesmaid’s dress as he approached. He put a hand over his heart, the wowed expression on his face sending a little thrill down her back.