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

answer that. I’m just going to assume everything is perfect.”
    “Actually, it is,” I reply happily.
    “Excellent. I’ll take your word for it,” he answers, sounding exasperated.
    “I won’t ask what’s going on, but if you need an extra hand, let me know,” I offer.
    “Thanks, but I would rather you just focus on the food. I’m just glad Puck left, his questions were slowing me down. You would think he has no idea what’s going on, even after agreeing to every detail.”
    I’m silently thankful. Knowing he is out of the house makes me feel a little more at ease.
    “I guess that’s why you’re so good at what you do,” I smile.
    “I guess,” Steven replies with less confidence than ever, “I just want tonight to be over so I can relax again.”
    “Agreed.”
    His phone rings again. Steven salutes me with his coffee cup and is off to the yard again.
    I’m feeling much more secure with Puck out of the picture, at least for now. I have no desire to run into him. I wish I could avoid him the whole night. I’m not sure I can make that happen, but I’m sure going to try.
    I call everyone over and we huddle around the kitchen table. I go over the plans to move outside. I explain where I want everything and we immediately get moving. We are almost completely set up by the time the next shift of help arrives. I run through the details with them and we’re up and running in no time.
    We are still ahead of schedule shortly before guests are expected to arrive. I instruct everyone to take a break and relax for a few minutes. Tonight is going to be crazy and much of the menu is going to be prepared to order. We are as ready as we can be and I’m confident the guests will be pleased with what we are serving.
    I leave the kitchen tent for the first time in hours and walk up to the patio. I sit down and look out over the yard. The sun will be setting soon so the staff is illuminating the chandeliers and mood lighting. I inhale and get a whiff of garlic and herbs emanating from the grill.
    I wish this night wasn’t for Puck’s benefit, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m going to focus on my own responsibilities. I’m going to make sure everything I’ve planned and executing is perfect. Maybe something else will come of it. Maybe I will be offered something else that will get me out of here. I’m not going to let Puck - or Amanda Adams get under my skin.
    I glance around once more. The yard looks like something out of a fairytale. The savory aroma in the air smells of all my hard work. This is what I love. This is my passion. A knowing smile crosses my face. Forget Puck, this is going to be an amazing night.
    DANI
    I have my staff reconvene in the inside kitchen. We take a moment to revel in how clean it is. It looks like like no one has ever cooked in here - definitely not like we prepared hors d’oeuvres and dinner for over a hundred people just this morning.
    I assign everyone a station and make sure they’re each clear with their duties for the night. I give them a pep talk and thank them in advance. I’ve worked with each of them in some capacity before and feel confident everything will go smoothly. I hand out some crisp, white chef coats and advise them to eat a little something and get cleaned up. We have very little time left before we need to be back outside. They answer me with ‘yes chef’, as they have all day. It gives me a sense of satisfaction to feel like I’m in charge of something after feeling so out of control in my own life.
    I take my change of clothes into the guest bathroom. I look at myself in the mirror and make a face. I look like I’ve been running around all day, which I have. I’m glad I brought some things to freshen up and change. I wash my face, put on some light makeup, and fix my hair. I switch my dirty chef coat and well worn chef pants for a fresh white coat and fitted black pants. I look at myself again and feel much better now. I won’t look as