CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Zack pulled up in front of the restaurant and killed the engine. It was late, and the restaurant was closed. But he had called ahead and he knew that the side door would be opened for him.
“Dean’s Kitchen,” Renee read the sign outside the restaurant. It was the first two words she had spoken in over an hour. She had kept silent throughout the drive, lost in her own thoughts.
She stepped out of the car and stared at the restaurant. The windows were dark, and the sign on the door was flipped to “Close”.
Renee looked disappointed. “I’m afraid we’re too late,” she said. “It’s closed.”
“Nah, don’t worry. That’s just what the sign says. I assure you, it’s open, for us,” Zack said confidently.
Renee gave him a skeptical look but allowed him to lead her to the side entrance. He opened the narrow door and ushered her in.
The lights were dimmed in the restaurant and everything was neatly arranged, ready for business the next day.
A corner table was ready for them. The lit candle on the table cast a warm glow around the room. Zack heard noise coming from the kitchen and the aroma of freshly grilled steaks made his mouth water.
“Dean,” he called out. “Yo! We’re here!”
“Dean’s Kitchen,” Renee repeated the name of the restaurant. “Dean. He’s the boss. You’re friends with the boss!”
“Dean is the boss and the chef,” Zack said. “And...he’s not my friend.”
Renee was about to comment when Dean popped out of the kitchen. “Hey!” Dean grinned and gave Zack a quick one-arm hug.
Zack turned and was about to introduce Dean to Renee when he saw that she had already made the connection.
Renee’s mouth fell open as she stared at the tall, blond man in the chef’s uniform. The familial resemblance was too striking to miss.
“Dean is your brother!” she exclaimed, her gaze darting between Dean and Zack.
“Yup,” the two men replied in unison. They gave her similar lopsided grins.
“I’m Dean Howell, Zack’s big brother. You must be Renee. Nice to meet you!” Dean said, extending his hand.
Renee gaped as Dean pumped her hand up and down. “Nice to meet you too, Dean. I’m sorry to put you to all this trouble. You’re closed for the night already...” she stuttered.
“No trouble at all,” Dean said affably. “I like cooking for family. No matter how busy Zack is, I insist that he eats here at least once a week. I have to make sure my baby brother is well fed!”
Dean grinned as he hurried back to the kitchen. “I don’t want to burn your dinner. Make yourselves comfortable,” he called out. “Dinner will be served shortly!”
Zack pulled out the chair for her and whispered, “I’ll go get our food from the kitchen. I want to make sure Dean gives me the bigger portion,” he joked.
Zack went into the kitchen and saw the two plates on the counter. Dean was spooning gravy over the steaks and glanced up. “So...what’s up with you two?” Dean asked. “Did you two have a fight?”
“Are you a chef and a psychic now?” Zack groused.
“I don’t need to be a psychic to read body language,” Dean answered. “Renee seems...sad. What have you done, Zack?”
“I didn’t do anything!”
Dean arched a brow. “You’ve never brought any of your girlfriends to my restaurant before.”
“They weren’t my girlfriends.”
Dean put the baked potatoes on the plates and continued moving around the kitchen efficiently. “So Renee is different. She’s your girlfriend.”
Zack shook his head. “She says she doesn’t want a relationship. But when Karina came to the office today, it upset her a great deal.” Zack was close to his big brother, and Dean was the only one who knew what was happening in his life. Dean was his only family now, and Dean was the only one he trusted with his secrets.
“Karina? Karina Eve?” Dean paused. “The Mayor’s daughter?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re still seeing her? I thought...”
“No! It was just a brief fling. We parted more than half a year ago!” Zack threw up his hands. “I never expected her to appear at my office and make a scene.”
Dean blew out a breath. “No wonder Renee’s upset. You’ve got to clean up your own mess, little brother.”
“I know.” Zack took the plates and smiled. “I’m not going to mess this up, Dean. She’s mine. I’m not letting her go.”
Dean wiped his hands on his apron and clapped his younger brother on the back. “Go. Feed your lady and make her feel better. I’ll keep myself busy in the kitchen. Holler when you’re ready for dessert.”
“No, you don’t have to wait on us. I can wash up and lock up for you,” Zack said.
“I’ve got work to do in here,” Dean said with a shrug. “Experimenting with some new dishes. Maybe you two can be my guinea-pigs.”
“I’ll eat anything you cook,” Zack said stoutly. “You know that.”
Dean laughed. “My baby brother is my biggest fan, and my biggest investor.” His expression turned serious. “If you hadn’t provided the capital, I wouldn’t have been able to open this restaurant. I owe you, Zack...”
“What the hell are you talking about? You don’t owe me a single thing. And it’s an investment,” Zack corrected. “Don’t forget, I’m a businessman. I only invest in ventures that are profitable.”
“It wasn’t profitable at the beginning,” Dean reminded him.
Zack smirked. “Long term investments yield the best returns, my brother.”