Free Bachelor's Special by Christine Warner Page A

the bill, and he was the one she should be avoiding if she didn’t want to lose her job again—not to mention what little was left of her rep.
    The doorbell rang, washing the tension from the room. She glanced at the clock. Punctual guests.
    Chet moved toward the arch, stopping before he made his way to the foyer. His aftershave wafted around her, the subtleness overpowering the food aromas filling the kitchen. “If you change your mind about dinner, throw an extra place setting on the table.”
    “Thanks. I will.” She smiled. Not a chance. Danger, Will Robinson, danger. Keep as far away from this man as possible. His hotness would be the death of her.

Chapter Eight
    “Grab a jacket. We’re taking the night off.” Chet’s smile spread wide as he burst through the door after work two nights later.
    Jill caught her breath, the knife in her hand stopped mid chop against the edge of an onion. “What are you talking about?”
    Chet grabbed her light jacket that hung inside the closet by the garage entrance and held it out toward her, shaking it slightly so that she’d step it up. “Come on, let’s go. I’m starving.”
    “But dinner is almost done.” Even as she said the words, she put the knife down and let him slip her coat up over her arms. He pulled it securely around her shoulders and turned her toward the door.
    “You’re not getting out of it. Tonight we’re both going to relax and enjoy a night out. I deserve a break, and you deserve to eat something you haven’t had to prepare.”
    “Really? I mean, I’m making Cobb salad. Nothing fancy. We can easily eat in.” Jill loved the fact that he wanted to give her a night off by taking her out, but she didn’t want to cross the boss-employee line. Could they go out as just friends?
    “Come on, Jill, I know what you’re thinking.”
    “Oh, really?” She halted their trek to turn toward him. No way could he guess her thoughts.
    “You think you shouldn’t eat out with me because you’re just the cook.” He challenged her by placing his hands on his hips, lifting one perfect brow.
    Jill sighed, and then laughed. “Not exactly, but close enough.”
    “Come on. It’s nothing fancy. I’m feeling like a big, sloppy burger from The Burger Bar. You in?”

    Less than an hour later Jill sat in a booth across from Chet beneath a dimly lit pendant light. The swirled red and white of the glass emitted tiny patterns that danced along the surface of their wooden table. The restaurant’s décor was intimate casual. Cozy wooden booths with red vinyl seats lined the wall around the entire establishment, and round tables with red and white checkered tablecloths filled the center of the room. Jill rolled her shoulders in an effort to relax.
    “I can’t believe you’ve never eaten here.” Chet grabbed two menus from the iron rack against the wall of their booth and slid one toward her. “They make the best burgers.”
    Jill opened her menu, scanning the various burgers offered. “Burgers are easy, Chet. I make my own.”
    He rolled his eyes. “Not tonight. Tonight you experiment with something you’ve probably never thought about cooking. You’re going to let someone else take over in the kitchen and have some fun and relax.”
    She grinned. “What do you recommend?”
    “I’m partial to the Juicy Lucy, or if I’m in need of something sweet you can’t beat the Luther burger.”
    Jill ran her finger the length of the menu until she found the Luther burger. “You’re kidding me? A burger made with a grilled glazed donut in place of the bun. Ick.”
    Chet chuckled. “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”
    The thought of it made her stomach sour. “I’ll stick to my original cheeseburger with tomato, lettuce, onion, and mayo.” She folded her menu shut.
    He slid his opened menu around until it faced her. “No way. You can’t come to The Burger Bar without trying something new. Come on,” he teased, lifting the menu and dancing it in