A/N:

I feel like I should point out now that I can't really cook. No, let's rephrase this. I can't cook. Plus I am a very picky eater and describing food, the way it tastes or how something is done is hard to look up on the internet. So I apologize when something is not described right.

Chapter 13 – Meet the Ex

The next couple of days were full of kisses, heavy making out sessions in various locations ("I will show you that you can have sex virtually anywhere").Roman was a little afraid about that promise because Dean was crazy enough to do it anywhere with no regards for privacy. And they were just giving each other hand jobs or blow jobs no penetrating sex was involved at this point.

Well Roman would deal with it when the time came. For now they were making out all over the apartment which Dean called a proper christening of the place because he had assumed rightly so that Seth and Roman hadn't done it yet.

All in all Roman was happy. Not only his restaurant brought a smile to his face anymore but that wild man who was currently singing along to the radio while chopping vegetables made him smile as well.

"Its a nice day for a white wedding." Dean sang and was really good. When his eyes landed on Roman and he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively Roman shook his head laughing.

"Thankfully Vegas is a whole continent away." Roman pointed out.

"We could make it there in three days. Two if Nikki drives. Never if we let Damien behind the wheel."

It was common knowledge that Damien was a bad driver and the others shared horror stories with Dean about his driving skills.

"Maybe I just pretend that I can't drive so you guys drive me around." Damien told them but only earned laughter in the process

They went back to work because it would be a busy Saturday after a busy week and everyone welcomed the day off tomorrow.

Things were buzzing by 8 pm and Roman was grateful to have Dean. He was a hard worker but always remained calm and he was able to delegate work to Damien who did a good job as well.

Roman just wanted to take a little breather when Brie stormed in an order in her hands.

"Roman the guy is back. The critique you told us about?"

Dean looked up interested. A critique was good. They could bring it. But Roman blanched.

"Shit. What does he want?"

Brie rattled down the order and Roman started right away. Without thought he even started to prepare the dish that Dean did tonight.

"You know I can manage the steak Ro, right?" he asked a little disappointed in Romans lack of trust.

"What? Yes. Oh. Its just Antonio's opinion will make me or break me."

"Antonio? As in Antonio Cesaro the restaurant critique? And Tony the uptight cheating Ex?"

Roman just nodded and worked like crazy again.

Dean helped without saying another word and soon enough Brie carried out the dishes.

Dean put an arm on Romans shoulder when he wanted to walk out.

"Let him eat. There is nothing you can do."

Roman still hovered around nervously and Dean embraced him shortly until they heard someone clearing his throat.

Both men turned around and found Antonio standing in the kitchen a plate in his hand.

A plate with the steak Dean had prepared after Roman had noticed his affront.

Tony's gaze was cold and got even colder after seeing his Ex hugging another guy. He curled his lip a little but quickly put on a neutral face again.

"Who prepared this dish?"

"I did." Dean shot out before Roman could intervene. Dean was defensive already.

This could get ugly.

"I ordered a medium steak. Is this medium?"

Antonio pressed his finger onto the meat where just some fluid leaked. It was medium. Barely...others would argue perfectly so.

"It is done perfectly. Just because you never had a steak so en point doesn't make it bloody."

Tony curled his lip again and turned to Roman.

"Why didn't you prepare the steak? It lacks your note. It tastes different."

Roman sighed. "Dean is my sous chef. He is doing things a little different but he is doing them well. We made some adjustments to the steak."

"I see." Tony put the plate down.

He looked around. Damien tried to look busy and Dean itched to grab Romans hand but the big guy even stepped away from him. That hurt.

"You said you would hire more people. I just see one."

"That is because I work for two." Dean told Antonio and got in the face of the man.

"Name?" Antonio asked.

"Dean Ambrose."

Tony nodded carefully and dismissed Dean turning to Roman.

"I would like a word with you."

Antonio let Roman lead the way. Dean wanted to follow but Roman shook his head.

Roman went into his office and offered Antonio a chair.

"I am still looking for one more employee. But Dean is right he works for two. He is excellent Tony. That Steak was perfect and you know it. Just because it doesn't taste like my steaks did doesn't make it bad."

"So you let your new sous chef change your way of cooking already? What else does he tap into Roman? This is your restaurant."

Roman nodded. "Yes and it is my life and you have no right to butt into it. You are here to write a critique about my restaurant and not about how much you like my choice of a boyfriend."

Tony crossed his arms over his chest. "I don't like your choice at all. Look at him. He is wild. Rough. Nothing like me."

"But he can cook and he makes me happy and that is what counts. My dishes were perfect tonight. Write your review Tony."

Roman got up signaling his Ex that this talk was over.

He walked Antonio to the front door and after he returned to the kitchen minutes later after greeting a couple of guests he noticed Dean's absence.

"Where is he?" he asked Damien.

"Taking a cigarette break."

"He doesn't smoke. Shit."

Dean waited at the mouth of the alley for Antonio to leave the restaurant.

The guy walked directly to his car that was parked at the curb.

"Write a good review." Dean said and walked up to Antonio, crowding him at the driver's door.

"That is the least you can do. You ruined your relationship already. You are scum Antonio. Roman is a good guy. So grow a set and get over yourself and write that review. And then never come back because the next time you do I will pick up some skunk road kill and roast it for you and serve it to you as Angus meat. Oh and by the way. Maybe I spit onto your steak before..."

Dean turned and walked away right into an anxious looking Roman.

Antonio straightened his jacket before climbing into his car.

"What did you do?" Roman asked nervously.

"Nothing. Just wished him a nice trip home and told him that I am a big fan."

Roman didn't buy it for a second especially when Tony floored the gas pin and left with smoking tires.