But Chloe was unlike any woman he’d ever met before. She was confident and sexy, funny and stubborn. She’d intrigued him, and the second she’d told him not to get any ideas, it had been like a red flag waved in front of a bull. He’d wanted to win her over. He wasn’t a man to take by force. No, he’d much rather win her with charm. He had no doubt he could do it.
There was a part of him that felt guilty to live his life and find happiness when his mother couldn’t do the same. But when he did feel bad, he knew he was doing what she’d want him to do, and she would smack him over the head if she knew he was living half a life because of grief.
When Joseph Anderson had told him he wanted him as the electrician for the veterans center, he’d been honored. Not only had Brandon served as an air force pilot, but he was getting to know his family, and working closely with them was the best way to do it.
There had been a part of him that had thought about turning it down, because from the time he was young, he’d been determined to make it on his own, without help from his family. As a middle child in a sea of brothers, he’d always tried to find his identity without being just a brother.
It might have appeared to the rest of the world as if he was nothing more than a carefree boy in a man’s body who was more interested in making the room laugh than earning an honest day’s wages, but what people saw on the surface wasn’t always what lay beneath.
He worked hard and had done so his entire life. There were always ideas brewing in his head, and he’d never been willing to settle for second best. Sure, he liked to laugh, and he loved to live life to the fullest, but he wanted to stand out, to make a name for himself.
The veterans project was just too amazing for him to pass up. It was a cause he stood for, knowing he had his freedom because of those who’d sacrificed the most. And then it had the added bonus of working close to home.
When Joseph had said he wanted Chloe to design the kitchen, Brandon had been beyond thrilled. That meant the two of them were going to be working closely together. The kitchen was the heart of any place. And with the sparks that flew between him and Chloe, that was going to be one steamy room.
He smiled as he strolled down the street to Chloe’s restaurant. She’d made magic happen with that place. She’d turned it from ordinary to beautiful. It was the place to go to in town now.
He knew Joseph had presented her with the offer to do the veterans center, and he also knew she was fighting it. That impressed him. It wasn’t easy to say no to Joseph. Brandon didn’t know anyone who ever had. He was sure there had to be people out there, but maybe because they’d said no, they were nowhere to be found, sinking in their careers that had never gotten a chance to take off.
But that brought him right back to Chloe.
Maybe she was the first to say no to Joseph who truly could do it on her own. It made him like her even more. She was confident and talented, and she didn’t need anyone to back her name. She just needed her skills and raw determination.
But then again, he knew in the end she would say yes, and they’d be working together very soon. Joseph was pretty irresistible. Brandon hoped he was as well. He’d win the girl. There was no doubt in his mind. He just wondered how long it was going to take.
CHAPTER TWO
There was a pleasant smile on Chloe’s lips as she refilled Sal’s coffee and asked how his miniature Chihuahua’s vet visit had gone. He answered with a grin, his dog tucked safely inside his jacket, her little eyes peeking out at Chloe. Sal Abrams slipped the dog a small bite of his doughnut, and then she disappeared back into the safety of his coat.
Sal was their small-town attorney, and he came to her place daily for coffee and pastries. She’d always adored the man. The entire town did. He was set in his ways, and he’d give his shirt to someone in need. He’d helped Brooke and her sister a lot, and that meant he’d get to drink coffee for free as long as she owned this place.
Of course, he left her such ridiculous tips, which she’d tried to fight him on, it wasn’t actually free. Someday he might just accept her gift with a smile. But Sal was one of those people who liked taking care of women. She loved that about him. She didn’t mind having a wonderful father figure like him in her life.
Chloe had two amazing parents. There was no doubt about it. She didn’t talk about them to anyone, because she was determined to make it on her own, without their influence and certainly without their help.
Yes, they were amazing, and yes, the world absolutely loved them. Her mother was a food critic, and she could cut someone down to shreds, all with a professional smile on her face. Chloe had seen people rant and rave and also break down and sob, basically curling up in a ball and giving up, because of the power her mother held.
Her father was the best chef she’d ever known—and his own worst critic. He accepted only perfection in all aspects of his life, including from his daughter. And she seemed to never get it right.
When her parents had begun their cooking school, which had received national and international awards, she’d once dreamed of working there. That had quickly faded as she’d grown. She occasionally taught there, but whenever she worked around her parents, she was a hot mess.
They might not have even realized they did it, but they had never once in her life told her she was doing a great job without adding an aside that would make her feel small. The solution to that was to just not work with them. She loved her parents and didn’t want to stop, so she kept as much from them as she possibly could.
She’d heard other people say it was a parent’s role to shape and mold their children. She’d been told that the parents who didn’t care wouldn’t say anything. But she wasn’t sure she agreed with that sentiment. Wasn’t it good to make your children feel good about themselves? She’d never have kids of her own, but if she had chosen to go that route, she’d decided long ago she’d raise them with love—and zero criticism.
Her relationship with her parents was definitely complicated. But she’d give her last breath defending them as well. Maybe it was why she was her own worst critic. She wanted to be the best, and she never felt as if she was. It was a never-ending cycle.
“Are you still with me?” Sal asked.
She laughed as she shook her head. “Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts for a moment,” she told him as she grabbed the pot of coffee and topped him off. “Try this cookie. It’s a new recipe I’ve been working on for a while.”
He accepted it and took a bite, his eyes sparkling. “I want every one you have in here,” he immediately said before polishing it off in two more bites. “This is the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”
She beamed at him. “I will give you a few more, but I’m testing them out today. Be honest—do you think they need any tweaks?”
He shook his head. “No tweaks at all needed. And no need to test anyone else. I’ll take them.”
This made her beam. Why couldn’t her parents say something like that? She was sure her mother and father would tell her something like “A little less salt” or that there were too many nuts. Something would be wrong with them. Something always was.
“I will make more tomorrow. I guess you’ll just have to come back,” she told him.