me a third and fourth time.

"Ok, go on back to your station. You're gonna be too flustered to work, if you keep that up! Hell, you'll have Janet here so flustered, she'll take down a customer!" Cassie laughed.

"Casse!" Janet exclaimed.

"Paul, I'm gonna tell you what. That boy is cute. Hell, I hired him as eye candy when the school sent him over here looking for a job, but turns out he's a damned good cook!" Cassie gossiped.

"Cassie!" Janet scolded in a frustrated tone.

"Well, it's the truth." Cassie confirmed.

"This dip is great!" I said, changing the subject.

"You like it, Sugar?" Cassie asked. "That recipe has been in my family for eons."

"Yeah, it's really great." I said.

We continued to visit for a while, me sneaking glances at Trent as he bantered back and forth with his coworkers, and continued cooking. People came and went from the table where I was stationed, as Janet had to attend to business, and various kitchen staff and servers took their breaks. It was great meeting everyone.

It was a little after nine, when I realized how quickly time had passed. Cassie had just finished telling me the story of how she and her husband met, when she turned and yelled, "Trent, clean up and get out of here!"

"Thanks, Chef," Trent responded.

I don't know why, but I was really proud of him. Watching him work and realizing that he was good at what he did. I had no doubt that one day he would make a great chef in his own kitchen.

Trent finished whatever he had to do and then walked toward me. I stood up and he wrapped his arms around me and gave me the most perfect kiss. Cassie was standing beside him, rubbing his back.

"Now, you boys go home and squeeze in some lovin' before bed. That's an order!"

"Cassie, who do I pay for this incredible dinner? It was incredible. Everything was excellent," I offered.

"Oh no you didn't! Get out of here! Shoo!" she said, as Trent and I pretended to cower and run from her flailing hands.

"Come here and give me some sugar, Paul." I leaned in and gave her a big hug.

"Now, you listen to me. You come by here any time you want. We'd love to see ya. You're always welcome here." Cassie said.

I thanked her and said goodbye to the rest of the kitchen, and Trent lead me out the back door of the restaurant.

As we walked through the parking lot, Trent asked, "So, what did you think?"

"Wow, Trent, everyone was so great. And the food is incredible! I'm so proud of you." I replied.

"Proud of me for what?"

"Just for being so good at what you do and for being such a great guy. Man, I just love you so much right now."

He stopped and turned me toward him, and stared down into my eyes, "Hey, that means a lot to me. And, I hope you never doubt how much I love you, either. You mean the world to me." Then, he leaned in and kissed me.

"Get a room!" came the call from one of the dishwashers out emptying the trash.

"Night, Tom!" Trent called out as we headed toward the car.

I drove home and Trent held my free hand between his hands, occasionally kissing my hand. When