A recipe for Secrets

s off and chairs stacked on tables. Only the hum of the refrigerator and the soft clink of silverware

ut thought. Carrots, onions, and parsley are all lined up. He moved with silent

e said behind him, b

aning against the doorway,

asked, stepping into the kitchen an

iped his hand on a towel. "Old

inutes before the shift, praying no one notices

"I'll try to be m

n felt brighter. Ivy grabbed an apron fro

e said, looking at the neat pile of diced vegetables. Join

t does someone who's been co

"Loud. Always comparing techniques. You

n. "I'm not her

curious now. "Then w

the penthouse kitchen in New York, the weight of his fathe

needed a change,

loud crash from the back interrupted them. M

ttered. "Welcom

f knives and sizzling pans echoed through the air. Liam worked quietly beside Ivy on the line. They moved in a rhythm, passing ingr

him with her elbow. "Y

ong look. "You're n

lattery will g

h grace, and always had a sarcastic comment ready to lift someone's mood, keeping the line moving even when the tickets piled up. She reminded Liam of the kind of chef he us

over the stove. He stepped outside, sitting on a milk crate by the back door. Ivy joined him,

tle of water. "You didn't let Marcus bully

rick wall. "He's not so bad once you ig

at's something." She stretched her arms over her head. "You know

asked, watchin

ed," her tone was teasing but thoughtful. "But you can

nge. Interest. A pull toward her that wasn't just about food. Ivy wasn

said quietly. The word slipped

rised by his honesty. Then

me was stamped on the kitchen tools in five-star restaurants across the country. The reason he moved like a pro was because he'd trained under Michelin

was small, with two rooms and a small kitchen. One window overlooking a parki

the doorframe like she owned the place. She saw him, not as the heir to a culinary empire, but a

ld he left behind. Another message from his assistant: "Your

past. He knew he was getting in too deep, but he couldn't help