Free PUCK (A BAD BOY HOCKEY ROMANCE) by Jessica Marx Page B

the most time. I take a a few minutes to make some finger sandwiches and pasta salad that I leave out for whoever is hungry in the house. In the early afternoon, the two guys I hired to help me prep arrive. I have them trimming the meats and getting the vegetables ready. My tasks are getting done a lot faster now that they’re here, which gives me some relief.
    “Dani?” I hear one of the guys from the outside crew address me from the kitchen entrance.
    “Yes? You need something?” I ask nicely, wiping my hands on a kitchen towel.
    “We’re all set. Want to come take a look and make sure everything is how you want it?” he asks.
    “Sure!” I reply, enthusiastically. I’m excited to see what they have done.
    We walk outside and down the path together. A huge smile crosses my lips when I see my new pop up kitchen.
    “What do you think?” he asks proudly.
    I walk around the large tent, running my fingers along the row of stainless steel grills and prep tables. Across from them there is an area with convection ovens and warming ovens, baker’s racks, and a long plating station. There is a full size walk in refrigerator sitting inconspicuously on one corner of the tented area. This is like a dream come true for a private chef like me. I’ve worked large events, but I’ve never been in charge of one of this magnitude before. I’ve also never had the chance to design what I needed for my own menu. I have to remember to thank Puck later.
    “It’s perfect,” I answer, still taking it all in.
    “I’m glad you like it,” he replies, “your plans worked out great. Everything fit the way you wanted, and your choice of equipment is top notch.”
    “Only the best for the best,” I answer, feeling giddy.
    “Good luck. We checked the lines and the power, everything appears to be in full operating order. It will be a few hours before the walk in is cold enough. Other than that, you’re good to go.”
    “Thanks again,” I say, shaking his hand
    I take another walk around, mentally laying out the menu items in their places. Once I’m satisfied, I get back to work inside. The guys are well under way and we are right on schedule. We work together through the evening and it’s pretty late by the time we finish up. I thank them and tell them to get a good night’s sleep. We have to be back here early in the morning.
    I sigh at the thought of having to drive home so late just to come back in the morning. There is plenty of extra space here if I want to stay over. Steven has mentioned it several times. It would make my life a lot easier than leaving late and coming back early, but I’m not comfortable doing that - not at this point anyway.
    When I’ve almost finished cleaning up, I glance at the clock like I have so many times already tonight. It’s almost ten and Puck still hasn’t come home. I don’t know what time his ‘meeting’ with Amanda was scheduled for, but I can’t imagine it would run this late. I start picturing what they’re meeting is like, and if it’s going anything like ours did the other night.
    I try to stop thinking about it. Puck and I haven’t even seen each other since our kiss. Unless Amanda said something, he doesn’t know I met her, although something tells me she did. I leave just about everything on my desk knowing I will be back soon enough. Keys in hand, I walk out to the foyer, hoping Puck will come in before I leave, but he doesn’t.
    I drive away still hoping to pass him, just to know that he made it home, but it never happens. Luckily I’m so exhausted by the time I get home and shower, even my anxiety about tomorrow can’t keep me awake. I fall asleep as soon as I hit the pillow, my last thoughts of Puck, as they have been for several days now.
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    I wake up before my alarm goes off in the morning. This is the big day. I nervously get ready, putting some extra clothing and chef coats in my bag so I can change into something clean and fresh for the event.