I do not own Tantalize or the characters. I am merely doing what fans do: entertain other fans. :

I won't write any more if I don't get reviews!! R&R!!!


"Hello, I am Gregory Drake. I am calling to inquire about your Chef position. Is it still open? I will be in town next week and I was calling to see if stopping by was worth my time. If you could, please call my cell 363-059-8427. Thank you!"

Message after message. I was hardly there mentally. I just wanted to see Kieren again. I hadn't seen him since our little accident. I couldn't exactly blame him though. Where could we go? That would be a headline: Hybrid and Vampire: Love or Bloodlust?

"Quincie? Hey, I know this is your business line, but your house is still disconnected. This is really awkward for me right now, so come over tonight around seven okay? I have to talk to you. Please, don't feed at least not in the area, not for a while."

Kieren had called me. I was ecstatic. I thought about calling Mr. Drake and telling him off for being so formal. What an ass. I didn't want someone like that cooking in my restaurant. Maybe I did, but only because I needed a chef. Soon. People were getting upset that I closed for a week, but what was I supposed to do? My chef left. Granted, I made him leave, but that wasn't the point.

"Hello, Mr. Gregory Drake? This is Quincie Morris. You called yesterday about the position at Sanguini's?"

"Yes. Hello Ms. Morris. You sound a bit young to be running a restaurant by yourself. May I ask you your age?"

"I am a bit young. I'm eighteen. That doesn't matter though. This restaurant is mine, and I am just calling to ask you to fax over your resume if you are still interested in applying."

"I will do so immediately. Tell me, how did an eighteen year old girl end up in charge of such a highly recommended restaurant? And one of such a fine quality. Not only is Sanguini's raved upon because of the wonderful food, but you have chosen a wonderfully rare theme. How did this idea come to you?"

"Sir, that information is irrelevant for this conversation and if you are hired, you will understand all that you need to. My fax number is 363-054-8322. Would you like me to repeat that?"

"No, thank you. My resume should be arriving momentarily. Thank you for your consideration. I will stop by on Tuesday around two pm. You have a wonderful weekend." Click. He hung up on me. God, what kind of fly landed in his chardonnay? I don't want an arrogant ass working for me. But i so desperately needed a chef and all my other options were still beginners. I had to give him a chance. At least he was a polite asshole.

I waited for seven o'clock to roll around. It wouldn't come fast enough, though. I wanted to see Kieren so badly but I couldn't go early. I didn't know how Miz Morales would react. Did she even know what I was? Would that change how she thought of me? Would she label me as an evil bloodsucker, just like she labeled every other vampire, or would she let her prior feelings for me remain her judgment until I messed that up?

Six-fifty-eight. I was standing on the edge of his yard, looking at his front door, waiting the extra two minutes. I didn't want to seem too eager to see him, even though I was. But I didn't want to miss one minute with him. I knocked on the front door the second my watch said 7:00. This was it: the crowning moment. This was the moment that would decide how Kieren and I would define our relationship.

Miz Morales opened the door and smiled warmly at me. "Hello, dear. Do, come in. Kieren is waiting for you in the dining room. I will be upstairs with Meghan if you need me. Roberto is in a meeting and should be home in a few hours. You kids be good now."

She headed up the stairs and I turned to walk in the dining room. Kieren was standing in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. He stared at me intently, as though waiting for me to run at him and attack.

The silence was deadly. I had to say something. "I've missed you."

I know it's short... I'll write more when I get reviews!! Please R&R!!!