Tension has finally dissipated as the night comes to a close. My frustration had simmered as I made one of my new creations. Tonight's concoction was a spicy fettuccine alfredo. Before plating the dish, I’d asked Trey and Wes to taste the sauce. They’d enjoyed it so much, they made the rest of the staff taste it, as well.

“Hey Calla, do we have any of the alfredo sauce left?” Forest asks as he finishes cleaning his work station. “I’d like to take some home and split it with Mom, since she’s watching Ella.”

“Let me make some fresh. How’s your mom doing? How's Ella transitioning now that y’all are getting the hang of things?” I question him as I turn to the stove to make two plates for him to take home.

“Mom loves getting to know her granddaughter, and I love having Ella with me. We’re talking about getting a pet now that we’re in the bigger place. Nessa has been taking Ella shopping a good bit, creating a monster in the process. And believe it or not, Nessa even lets Piper go with them on occasion, when she’s in town. But she’s still pretty pissed at Piper. I still wish Hallie would've told me that she was pregnant. I feel like I’ve missed so much, even though it was only seven years. Hell, I’m still pretty pissed that Piper, my own baby sister, didn’t tell me about my daughter. I know Hallie and I only had a one-night stand, but I would’ve been there for her. And for Ella. I'm just glad she told me before she passed and set things in motion, so I’d have full custody when she was gone. I can’t imagine what things would have been like if she hadn’t done all of that then passed the way she did. I’m a little shocked Hallie’s family didn’t put up a fuss about taking Ella, to tell you the truth. But, they seem happy that she is with me.” Forest comes around to stand close to me.

“I’m glad everything is working out,” Trey interjects as he finishes preparing his last order of the night. “You know, we are all missing Ella a helluva lot since she’s not here as much as she was at first. You need to bring her by more often, so she can hang out with the cool aunt and uncles. I’m sure that’s why Calla wants brunch to be Ella’s day, because that was not discussed when you were on vacation.”

Chuckles fill the room.

“I’ll bring her by tomorrow. She’s supposed to visit with Hallie’s family, but I’ll have them pick her up here.”

The last plates exit the kitchen, and the staff begin cleaning.

“It's great that all of you take such great care of her,” Wes comments, moving up behind Forest.

As I finish the sauce, Wes hands over two take-away containers filled with noodles. I cover the noodles with the sauce and close the lid.

“Here you go. Hope you all enjoy it.” I lean in and hug Forest then kiss his cheek.

“Thanks y’all. You’ve helped so much.” Forest hugs me back before taking his food and leaving.

Control by Puddle of Mudd pours from the sound system, and Trey turns up the volume. The kitchen staff work quickly and efficiently as they clean their spaces, joking and singing along to the music.

“Wes, you going to the club tonight?” Trey asks as he comes up beside me.

“Maybe. I’m not sure I’m in the mood for that tonight.”

“I still don't get why y’all call it ‘the club.’ It's not like you’re talking about Rex’s place,” I pipe in.

Wes’s eyes widen, and Trey smirks.

“Wes, I know you mean the sex club.” I air-quote sex club, and Wes’s mouth drops open. I roll my eyes and continue cleaning.

“Hey, Darlin’, have you ever thought about going to see what it's all about?” Trey wiggles his brow as Wes backhands his shoulder.

“Of course I’ve thought about it. But you guys are like family, and seeing what you like sexually is a bit weird, don’t you think?”

“Wait... we just talked about this. You dated Wes before?” Trey chuckles as he gestures between us.

“No,” Wes says as I respond, “Sorta.”

“Which is it?”

I ground my teeth into my lip. “We kissed once, and afterwards Wes said we needed to just be friends.”

“Ben scared the shit out of you didn't he?” Trey laughs as he gives Wes a look I can't decipher. “So… you're into kink?” he turns his attention to me.

S&M by Rihanna comes on, and we all laugh, breaking the tension surrounding us.

“I can't really say. I’ve never tried it. While Torrance was into it, he never asked me if I was into kink.”

“Yeah, well, someone needed to hogtie him. The fucking asshat... Speaking of the dipshit, we do need to talk about him being here, and what he asked. Adam told us when we grabbed a drink,” Wes informs me, his eyes narrowing.

“Can we do that tomorrow? I don't want to think about his request anymore tonight,” I grumble.

“Sure.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I glimpse the swinging door opening again. S&M ends as Zoot Suit Riot by Cherry Poppin’ Daddies begins. Wes and Trey throw play punches as they push each other out of the way, trying to spin me around and lightening the mood. As Wes spins me around one last time, I spot Caleb walking up to my station. I lose my balance, and Wes catches me and steers me to the counter. He lets me go carefully, as the kitchen falls quiet, and everyone gets back to work.

“Sorry to interrupt all the fun,” Caleb apologizes.

I nod, trying to catch my breath from all the dancing and horseplay. Wes gently nudges me out of the way so he can finish cleaning my counter. I look at Caleb as I scoot over.

“Was everything okay?” I ask him.

“It was great! I really enjoyed the special. Before I left, I wanted to say goodbye and see if you'd have dinner with me this week?” he questions.

Wes turns away from Caleb, rolling his eyes and grumbling as he walks over to Trey's station. Trey laughs at him and throws a dirty towel his way. My eyes follow Wes. I shake my head and giggle at their antics.

“Ah, dinner sounds good. I’ll have to check my schedule though.” I glance back to Caleb as I rub my hands up and down my thigh.

Caleb’s eyes follow the movement. “I'll call you.”

I nod in agreement.

“Calla, we’re finished. See you tomorrow,” one of the staff calls out. I wave at them as they leave the kitchen. Wes and Trey are the only ones still in the kitchen with me and Caleb.

Caleb smiles, showing teeth. “Until next time.” He takes my hand and kisses it. Wes and Trey head over to us, glaring at Caleb as he turns to walk out of the kitchen. They both knock into me and flick flour at me. I smack at them but miss, as they scurry out of my reach.

Max waits for me, leaning against my Jeep, when I finally walk out of Belladonna for the night. He is holding an assortment of flowers. I make my way swiftly to him, leaving Wes and Trey several steps back. They begin whistling and cat-calling after me, making me blush as they tease me about Max. I glance over my shoulder at them a few times, making sure they control themselves. Wes is, but he’s scowling, and when he sees that Trey is watching him, he quickly tries to put him in a headlock. Both are laughing as they roughhouse some more.

“Calla, how are you this evening?” Max pushes off my car.

“My night started out shitty, but it ended on a pretty good note.” I stop about two feet away from him.

“Mind if I follow you home tonight?” Max rocks back and forth on his heels.

“Not at all.” I wink at him.

Max walks over to my driver’s-side door and holds it open, once I unlock it. I slide into my Jeep and start the engine. The door closes, and I plug in my phone, allowing music to fill the space. Before the next song begins, I am pulling out of the parking lot, heading to my loft with Max right behind me.