Kitchen Affairs (18 page)

He smiled and started walking up to me. His eyes locked mine and he kissed me deeply for the first time in front of Stella. He broke the kiss when he heard her giggling.

“That is what daddies do, Stella.” He smiled as she was still giggling. My eyes got big as I watched for her reaction. Stella smiled and hopped off the barstool skipping out of the kitchen.
Holy shit did I love this man.

The week flew by as I continued my internship and classes. Travis was always by my side making sure Blakely and no one else harassed me. He took on the big brother role very seriously and I loved him for that. He definitely played the daddy role as
well telling me I needed to start getting some sleep after the third day of coming to my internship looking like a zombie.

I punched his arm softly as he lectured me about my sleeping habits. I’m sure he knew exactly what was keeping me up at night.

“Stop being so bossy,” I protested throwing a towel at him. “I don’t look that bad do I?”

"Umm… darlin’, you have
bags under your eyes,” he fired back.

“S
hut up! I do not.”
I totally do.

“I’m just worried about you that’s all. You need to stay focused so that when we start doing rounds, you’re completely in the game.” Rounds were coming up soon where we would finally experience being in the Riverside Restaurant kitchen cooking with the other chefs and cooking for customers. This wasn’t just any restaurant though. They have a high reputation and expectations of their food. It would be a lot of pressure to not fuck it up especially if I was hoping to get hired on after graduation.

“I know I know. I promise you, I will get some sleep, okay? Now let’s get back to work.”

It was finally the end of a very exhausting week and I couldn’t wait to get home to Stella and Michael. I wanted to order pizza and just stay in for the night. Michael had been busy with his blog and his new beau, Troy all week.

“Hi baby girl!” I yelled as I saw Stella off the school bus at the corner. She ran in for a hug and I squeezed her tightly. Gees her smile was seriously the best thing ever. Even with a long week, she made it all worth it. “How was your day?” I asked as we started walking back to the apartment.

“Great mom! I was hoping I could sleep over at Mackenzie’s tonight?” She looked up at me with begging eyes.

“Sleepover?” I sounded worried. She’s never had a sleepover before.

“Yeah, Mackenzie’s mom said she could have a couple friends over for her birthday.
So, can I? I have her number so you can call.” She dug a piece of paper with her number scratched on it.

I wanted to tell her my plans to stay in and order pizza with her, but her little eyes were just too much to say no. “Okay sweetie. I’ll call her mom when we get home.”

An hour later, Stella was packed, suitcase and sleeping bag in hand. “Ready mom!” she yelled practically running to the door. I held back crying until I was back in the cab returning to my apartment alone. I couldn’t believe my baby girl wasn’t going to be sleeping in our home tonight. It was like a part of me was missing. I starting sobbing and felt like a fool in front of the cab driver, but I didn’t care. It was my baby’s first sleepover.

As I unlocked the key to my apartment, I collapsed on the loveseat wallowing in depression. I knew I was probably overreacting but I was so worried about her. I knew Mackenzie’s family would take good care of her, but I still felt empty not knowing what she was doing. The fact that she was probably having a blast with her friends kept me from completely losing it.

“Baby, are you all right?” Drake asked as I answered my phone sniffing and wiping away my tears.

“Yeah…” I laughed slightly. “Stella is at her first sleepover tonight and I’m just sad about it. She’s growing up so fast.” I sniffed again trying to get it together.

“Aww baby, I’m sure she’s having fun. Don’t worry, okay? I wish I could come keep you company but dad and I have a dinner meeting tonight.”

“That’s okay honey.” I frowned.

“Can I see you after? I can stop by tonight,” he offered.

“Sure if you want to.” We said our goodbyes and I went into Stella’s room and lied on her bed.

An hour later, my phone rang again and I was confused as I saw Travis’ name.

“Hello?” I asked puzzled.

“Hey! Whatcha doing tonight?”
He sounds perky.

“Wallowing in the fact that Stella is at her first sleepover and doesn’t need her mommy anymore,” I really laid it on that time.
Hold it together Molly.

“Okay…
get up. We’re going out,” he said assertively.

“What? No, I’m fine. I’ll be fine, don’t worry,” I lied.

“Oh come on! Jacob went to his grandparents for the night and you need a night out. Come on. I’ll come pick you up in a half hour. Get ready,” and with that he hung up the phone.

Ahh great.

I dragged myself out of bed and got ready. I decided since it was the first time in like ever that I’ll be going out on a Friday night that I should probably try not looking like death. I fixed my hair, put on some makeup, and wore black dress pants with a purple V-neck jeweled shirt, and purple heels. I glanced in the mirror and was surprised how it only took me a half hour to look decent. I shrugged and figured it was good enough.

Just as I was grabbing my purse and coat, Travis knocked on the door. I went to answer it and as I opened it, Travis was standing there looking absolutely amazing. Travis was good looking yes, but right now, he was stunning.

His eyes widened as he got a good look at me. He smiled and complimented on my ability to de-zombify. I chuckled and playfully punched his arm.

“So tell me, where are we going?” I asked as he flagged us a cab.

“To my favorite club, Midnight,” he gestured me into the cab and told the driver where to go.

“Midnight? Never heard of it.”

“That’s because it’s a little out of the city, more locals.” He rested his hand on my leg right above my knee. It wasn’t the first time Travis has touched me slightly, but it was usually to keep me from dropping something or tripping over my own feet.

I felt goose bumps all over me as he left his hand there. It wasn’t a feeling I was expecting. I had only seen Travis as a friend and mostly like a brother to me. I was sure he felt the same way too.

Hopefully.

“My friends should be there already. They’re excited to meet you,” he turned to look at me.

“Meet me? Why?” I asked confused.
Has he been telling people about me?

“I’ve told them stories about class and about taking our kids to the Shedd. They liked all the funny stories I told them of you being clumsy,” he laughed as he pinched my knee. Another sensation of goose bumps and shivers ran through my body.
Why is he having this affect on me?

“Oh my god, Travis!” I scowled. “How embarrassing.”

“No, no don’t worry. They’re great people.”

We finally arrived to the club and my heart was racing. I didn’t know if it was for Travis or because I was extremely nervous. I was already a mom when I turned twenty-one and never went to a club before. I didn’t do the whole binge drinking and dancing thing. I never wanted to leave my baby girl.

“Hey man!” Travis said to some guy reaching over to hug him and pat him on the back. He gestured for me to come over as I followed him through the mobs of people already there.

“Guys, this is Molly. She’s in my internship with me. Molly, this is Bentley, Mason, Mason’s girlfriend, Selena, Ruby, and her boyfriend, Leo.” I smiled and told them it was nice to meet them.

Travis placed his hand on my lower back leading me into the booth. A waitress came around and eyed Travis up and down before bringing her eyes on me. She frowned, as she must of thought Travis and I were together. I laughed as I ordered my drink.

“So Molly, Travis tells us you’re quite the cook,” Bentley said from across the booth.

I turned to look at Travis confused as to why he would be talking about me to his friends so much. “Well, I guess… but I have a great partner,” I said trying to lighten the weird tension. Travis’ hand ended up back on my knee as it had before. Once again, shivers shot up through my body as I tried to figure out why I was responding to him this way. We had been partners for weeks now with no tension and now tonight its like my emotions are on fire.

“She’s the great partner,” Travis interrupted. “Especially when she’s clumsy as hell and makes the day more interesting,” he laughed squeezing my knee again.

“Ha… “ I sneered at him for embarrassing me. “I remember a very clumsy person as well, Mr. sauce all over my pants,” I badgered him. Being with Travis felt natural. It felt odd to be here without Drake, but Travis and I were close.
Like siblings, right?

“Oh my god, not the sauce story!” he chuckled embarrassingly.

His friends were hyper-aware of our teasing and leaned in to hear. “Oh you mean you never told you friends how you spilled Alfredo sauce all down your crotch and nearly burned yourself?” I said laughing remembering the memory of that day. Besides, Travis getting burned a little, it was hilarious. He was fooling around as usual, wasn’t paying attention and Alfredo went all down his pants.

His face reddened as he hid his face in his hand laughing softly. “Okay, you got me back good. No more stories!” He took his fingers to move my chin to look at him. He looked into my eyes deep and for a second I forgot where we were. The waitress broke the awkward tension as she brought us our drinks.

I took a large gulp and tried to get back into the zone. Travis remained talking and laughing with his friends. The girls moved closer to me since the boys were talking about sports.

“So you and Travis huh?” Selena asked me quietly winking.

“What? No. Travis and I are just friends. He’s like a brother,” I reassured her.
And myself.

“Then how
come he looks at you like that?” She nodded her head over to where Travis was sitting. He was staring at me like he needed me for air. I’ve never seen Travis look at me like that, but perhaps I wasn’t paying attention before. He smiled at me when he noticed I saw his expression. I smiled back hoping he didn’t see the confusion on my face.

I looked back at the girls who saw my puzzling look. “No, it’s not like that at all. We took our kids to the aquarium once and are just friends,” I tried reassuring her but she wasn’t buying it.

“Well, do you have a boyfriend?” Ruby chimed in.

“Yeah, I do. His name is Drake,” I smiled as I said his name. I took a couple more sips from my glass as I noticed Bentley hovering over to listen to our conversation.

“He’s a lucky man,” Bentley interrupted. He smiled at me as he put his beer to his mouth.

“Thanks,” I blushed. This was getting awkward.

“What does your boyfriend do?” Ruby asked curiously. Apparently, she hadn’t seen the millions of photos of me in the magazines and I was grateful Travis hadn’t told them.

“Umm… he
runs a business,” I said trying to be as vague as possible.

“Oh my god, wait a minute!” Selena squealed starring at me. “I knew you looked familiar!”

Travis must have noticed the attention and quickly came to my rescue. “Guys, no. Not now.” He looked them down firmly. I knew he was trying to be protective but I didn’t want to keep hiding behind him.

“It’s alright Travis,” I reassured him. I rubbed his arm and gave him a sincere look. “They will find out eventually.”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“It’s fine.” I turned to look at his friends. “Drake Stagliano is his name. You probably saw the pictures.” I waited for their shocked expressions.

“Holy shit. You’re
that
Molly?” Selena gasped. I caught a glimpse of Bentley as he smirked and shook his head in disbelief. “Molly Woods?” she gasped again.

“Yes, yes… I’m
that
Molly. Guessing you saw the magazine photos?”

“Hell yeah, we did! They were hot too!” Leo chimed in all of a sudden. Travis gave him a death stare.

“Those pictures were real?” Bentley questioned as he stared at me. “I thought they were just another fabricated story.”

“Yeah… they were real,” I answered embarrassed trying to cover my face.

“Don’t be embarrassed, girl, you seriously are hot!” Ruby nudged me as she saw my face pale. I smiled weakly at her for trying to cheer me up.

“Come on Mols, let’s go dance!” Travis intervened trying to make me feel better. He led me out of the booth and onto the dance floor. I had two drinks so far and was starting to feel relaxed. I wasn’t much of a dancer unless it was Stella and I in the kitchen dancing around to music.

Travis grabbed me in close and placed one hand on my lower back and the other in my hand guiding me. Jay-Z blasted through the speakers as we danced together in a large crowd.

I couldn’t believe how much fun I was having with Travis. Every time his hands graced my body, my goose bumps reappeared. I was oddly comfortable with him and he made sure to always keep tabs on me.

Travis’ friends all came out while will.i.am rapped through the speakers. Ruby and Selena danced with me and were well tipsy by now. I couldn’t believe how his friends had welcomed me into their group. Their boyfriends, Mason and Leo came up to dance behind them and Travis leaned me back into him. I turned around to face away from Travis as he danced behind me. A few moments later, Bentley approached us all and started dancing in front of me. I was sandwiched between Travis and Bentley.
Not that I am entirely minding.