Part 2The Private Chef: Serving Up Boundaries

I went into the kitchen. Ethan's kitchen was fully stocked with top-of-the-line appliances, and the ingredients in the fridge had just been delivered that morning by a premium grocery service.

I turned back to look at him.

"Do you have any dietary restrictions or allergies? Garlic, onions, cilantro?"

Ethan froze for a second, taking a moment to answer.

"No ginger, no green onions..."

When he saw me tie my hair back and start washing the vegetables with practiced efficiency, he couldn't help but ask:

"Are you really here just to interview as a chef?"

I shot him a weird look.

"What else would I be interviewing for?"

Ethan went quiet.

He leaned against the kitchen counter, watching me prep the ingredients and chop the vegetables.

"Liam's getting engaged."

I paused for a fraction of a second, then just said, "Oh."

"Tell him congratulations for me."

Ethan leaned in closer.

"You've been hovering around him for six years. Are you really okay with just walking away like this?"

I thought about it for a second.

"It was a job. It's not about being 'okay' with it or not. He doesn't need my services anymore, so I leave. I've been cooking for him since college. His standards were low, the work was easy... honestly, it is a shame to lose the gig. If he still needed me, I could have cooked for him for the rest of my life."

Ethan burst out laughing.

"Avery, you are seriously hilarious."