Garrett was angry at the interruption. He’d come very close to finally tasting Egypt. He remembered wanting to very much the first night they met. And moments ago, that lush mouth of hers had been coming toward him and those huge eyes were begging him to kiss her. He wanted to, but then the cop came in and ruined everything. He scowled at the man.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Detective Simpson repeated, sensing Garrett’s mood. “When the doctor called and said you were awake after two months in a coma, I had to come over. See if you remembered anything.”
“I’m afraid not, Detective...”
“Simpson.”
Garrett nodded. “When I woke up, I didn’t even know who I was or how I got here.”
“Has that changed?”
“No.”
“But you—” The detective began to speak, but then stopped himself.
“But I know Egypt?” Garrett responded, looking at the officer. “I can’t explain that. For some reason, I remember going to her restaurant and asking her out.”
“And nothing else?” Detective Simpson inquired. “Because despite our best efforts, we haven’t been able to find your attackers, and your car seems to have disappeared. It hasn’t shown up at any known chop shops.”
“What about my family?” Garrett was frustrated not only with the police, but that his own mind wasn’t cooperating. Surely someone had to be looking for him?
“No one has reported you missing. We have no clue as to your real identity, Garrett. We only know your first name because of Ms. Cox. I was hoping when you woke up, you could give us information about the car and we could finally get a lead in this case.”
“I’m sorry, I have nothing for you.”
“If you remember anything—” The detective pulled a card out of his wallet. “Please give me a call.”
The door to his room opened, and hospital staff came in. “I’m sorry, but we’re going to have to borrow the patient for some tests and scans.”
As quickly as he arrived, the detective was gone and Garrett was wheeled out of the room. His entire life was upended, and he had no clear direction of what was going to happen next. Intuitively, he knew that was unusual, because he always had a plan. His life was mapped out and had a purpose.
But what that was remained a mystery.
The only thing Garrett was certain of was that he wanted to see Egypt again, spend time with her. He may not remember the rest of his life, but she was the one thing that made sense. He prayed she hadn’t been scared off by the intensity of his attraction toward her. And that she would visit him again.
“So let me get this straight,” Asia Reynolds said from the other end of the line when Egypt made it home hours later after running errands. Since Flame was closed on Mondays, she had the remainder of the afternoon free. “You’ve been going to the hospital for months to sit by a stranger’s bedside, all because he asked you out on a date? Are you really that hard up?”
Trust Asia to be blunt. Sometimes her best friend could show a lack of tact. Egypt had tried calling Wynter and Lyric to discuss the feelings Garrett evoked at the hospital, but neither of them picked up. Shay was about to start a cycling class and told Egypt she’d call her back. And Teagan was a workaholic, so Egypt didn’t dare bother her. Asia had been her only option.
“Don’t make it sound as if I’m some desperate seeking Susan,” Egypt replied archly. “The man was attacked at my restaurant.”
“In your parking lot.”
“Same thing,” Egypt responded. “Besides, he has no one. When he woke up today, he had no idea who he was. Can you imagine how that must feel?”
“You sure can,” Asia replied. “Sounds to me like you have a thing for your amnesiac.”
“Not a thing, but there is something about him that’s intriguing.”
“Do you really have the time to be chasing after some man who don’t even know who he is? You’re building a new restaurant. All your energies should be focused on Flame.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” Egypt responded tightly.
“Of course, he could be some billionaire who could make all your dreams come true,” Asia responded aloud. “Or he could be a schmuck looking for a handout and you’re falling prey to his charms.”
Egypt remembered the night they’d met. Garrett had dressed like a man who had money, and he’d worn a Rolex, which the thieves had stolen. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Asia.”
“I’m sorry, but I haven’t seen you get this soft on a man since Antwan.”
“I don’t want to talk about him.” Egypt rolled her eyes at hearing her ex-boyfriend’s name. The man who used her, stole all her money and broke her heart. She’d vowed to never believe a word that came out of another man’s mouth, and she hadn’t until now. Until Garrett. Was she deluding herself that the situation with Garrett was any different? Or was he just another con man like Antwan?
Asia scoffed. “Don’t do that, Egypt. Every time we bring him up, you shut down. You have to let out all the anger and resentment you have bottled up inside about that man and what he did to you. Otherwise, it’ll eat you up inside and you won’t have anything left for when a good man comes along.” She sighed. “And who knows, maybe Garrett No-Name is it and maybe he’s not, but you can’t close yourself off to love.”
“I’m not closed off. I love the Gems.”
“Uh, we love you, too, but it’s not the same and you damn well know it. But listen, I’m going to get off my soapbox and stop preaching. If anyone knows how to look after herself, it’s Egypt Cox. Hell, all the Gems could take pointers off a badass boss babe like you.”
Egypt couldn’t resist the grin creeping across her face. Asia always had a way of making her laugh. “Thanks, chick. We’ll talk soon.” She ended the call and stared at the phone.
Usually, she checked in with the hospital on Garrett’s condition, but he was awake now. He could look after himself; he didn’t need her. So, why were her fingers itching to pick up her cell?
Instead, she phoned her father and invited him to dinner. It was her one day off, and she missed hanging with him. Anthony Cox was the one man she’d always been able to count on.
Without hesitation, her finger hit the speed-dial button. Her father answered almost instantly. “Hey, baby girl. How are you?”
“I’m doing good,” Egypt replied.
“Hmm...sounds like there’s something more on your mind?” Her father always sensed when she wanted to talk.
“If you’re free after work, I could make you dinner.”
Anthony chuckled. “It’s your only day off. I would think you wouldn’t want to have anything to do with a kitchen.”
“Cooking for my family is not a chore,” Egypt responded. “Plus, I gotta eat, too.”
“If you’re sure?”
“Absolutely. I’ll see you around seven?” She ended the call and thought about what comfort dish she would make for her father. He always loved her smothered pork chops in gravy with homemade mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans.
Cooking would keep her mind off Garrett No-Name. She had so much work to do anyway, like getting the specials ready for the next week, ordering supplies, reviewing scheduling and payroll, and making sure the HVAC was serviced. Egypt had checklists upon checklists to ensure Flame operated seamlessly.
It was hard work being owner and head chef. She needed to hire a manager to handle the day-to-day tasks so she could focus on the food and the branding. Unfortunately, she wasn’t quite ready to hand off her baby to just anyone. It would take time to find the right person, and time was not always on her side.
She finished the menu and employee scheduling before putting work aside to make dinner. The pork chops were fried, the mashed potatoes were warming and the greens beans were finished when her father rang the doorbell.
Egypt wiped her hands on her apron and opened the door. “Daddy!”
At six foot five and over two hundred pounds, Anthony Cox was a big man, but that didn’t stop him from wrapping his strong arms around her.
“Baby girl, I brought you some wine.” He released her and held up a bottle of red.
“Thanks, Daddy.” She accepted the bottle and brought it over to the kitchen. After uncorking it, she grabbed two wineglasses from her rack and poured them both a drink. “Cheers.” They clinked glasses, and Egypt took a sip before checking on the pork chops. Her father came behind her and leaned over her shoulder.
“My favorite.”
Closing the lid, Egypt regarded him. “I know. I don’t get to cook comfort food like this at the restaurant. It’s always elevated Southern cuisine.”
“But delicious,” her father insisted.
“Thanks, but I have to constantly evolve,” Egypt said, taking plates, cutlery and glasses from the cupboard.
“Did you think it would be easy?” he inquired, taking a seat at the small table in the nook next to her kitchen. “You’re running your own business. All by yourself. It’s takes grit and determination, which you have in spades, but enough about work. I’m curious about the young man you’ve been visiting in the hospital.”
“You mean Garrett?” She set out the plates and began heaping on pork chops, mashed potatoes and green beans.
“Are there any other men who were hit over the head in your parking lot?”
Egypt couldn’t resist laughing out loud. “No, Daddy. As for Garrett, he’s awake now.” She set his plate in front of him and then made one for herself.
“Really? And...?”
“He has amnesia,” Egypt replied, sitting across from him at the table. “Doesn’t remember who he is or what happened to him.”
“Well, that’s a doggone shame,” her father replied, cutting into the juicy meat. “Were the police any help?”
She shook her head. “Nope. He has no name, no family—what is he supposed to do? Where is he supposed to live?” She scooped up some mashed potatoes and began eating.
“You’re awfully concerned for a bystander,” her father observed.
She put her fork down. “I can’t be concerned?”
“Concerned, yes,” Anthony replied, cutting another piece of the chop, “but you’ve visited him every day.”
Glancing around for her wineglass, Egypt saw it on the counter and moved to grab it. She needed to do something to avoid being in the hot seat. She hated her father’s interrogations; she could never keep anything from him. “I suppose it might be overkill, but I feel guilty for what happened and I was hoping for a better outcome when he woke up.”
“What else were you hoping for?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Daddy!”
“Don’t Daddy me. I call a spade a spade. And I know when my daughter is giving me a load of hogwash. You’re interested in this young man.” He resumed eating.
As she watched him enjoy the meal, Egypt thought about lying, but she couldn’t. “I am attracted to him. I knew it the first time we met, which is why I agreed to the date, but then he was attacked. I guess now I’ll always wonder what could have been.”
“Do you think it’s possible to create that same magic?”
Egypt thought about the moment in the hospital when Garrett circled a lock of her hair around his finger and brought her closer to him. Recalled the hot wave of desire he’d aroused in her. She was certain he’d been about to kiss her if Detective Simpson hadn’t come in. “Possibly.”
“Then perhaps you should take some of these leftovers over to a recovering man,” her father suggested. “You always make enough to feed an army.”
Egypt grinned. She didn’t know how to cook in small quantities. Never had. “That’s not a bad idea. I don’t want any of the food to go to waste.”
“Excellent. So...how are the Six Gems?”
Egypt filled her father in on the latest goings on with Wynter, Shay, Asia, Lyric and Teagan, but her mind wasn’t never far away from Garrett and wondering how he was faring. Was everyone right? Did she have it bad?