"I'm sorry for intruding," Kagome said, a large yellow pack strapped to her back when she entered the kitchen.
"I told you it was fine," Sesshoumaru admonished, leading her away from the main cooking area.
"But you're busy."
He smirked. "It is almost closing. And I am always busy—"
"But never too busy for special guests!" Byakuya cut in, extending his hand. Kagome raised an eyebrow as Sesshoumaru's brow furrowed but returned the greeting. "I'm Byakuya Musouka."
"The pastry chef," Kagome filled in, the man instantly lighting up.
"You've been talking about me," he said with a grin.
Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru, wondering if she'd crossed a line. He responded with a careless shrug, giving Byakuya the opportunity to grab her wrist and lead her back to his station. "You must be starving! Let me make you something."
Byakuya continued to chatter away, the conversation not distracting him from the precision and grace of his movements—it was one of the reasons Bokuseno had hired him in the first place. Kagome humoured him, though she kept stealing glances at Sesshoumaru, something that didn't go unnoticed by the pastry chef.
"So, how long have you known the boss-man?"
"About a month. We live in the same apartment building—"
"You don't say!" Violet eyes gleamed as he glanced over his shoulder, adding a few extra strawberry slices to the tart.