"Until she sees how hunky you are." I grinned again. "Then she's gonna be asking for your phone number."
Another 'fuck yourself' look came my way.
"Child! Focus!" Yia-Yia turned the conversation back immediately to her menu.
Why she couldn't just use the regular menu, I'd never know. It wasn't like we didn't have enough time to order in a ton of stuff to make sure we had enough of everything for everybody. Parker could handle it-he'd worked in New York for years, for the love of god.
My grandmother was making a mountain out of a molehill. There was no need for all this screwing around, and I didn't even know why I was here except for the fact I'd been told to be. I was the drinks person in the family. This was a conversation for Ryan and Parker, not me.
I just wanted to know what drinks I needed to be mixing.
Whether or not those drinks would pair well with the food being served...That depended almost entirely on my ability to be able to work with Parker and his with me. The plan to do a pairing was great before The Kiss.
The Kisses?
How was I meant to refer to it, except hopefully not at all?
"She doesn't know what she's doing, Yia-Yia," Ryan said, waving his hand in my direction. "Look at her. She has a point that everyone has their favorite, but she doesn't run the food here. When does Parker get here, Ray?"
I hit the Home button on my phone and checked the time. "Any minute."
Damn it.
"And I really have to go restock the shelves," I said, sliding my chair back from the table. "Alec is coming in to help him today, so he'll have time to help you do your menu."
Yia-Yia snorted, but she didn't say anything else.
Secretly, she was probably glad to be rid of me. I'd contributed absolutely nothing since I'd sat down. All I wanted to do was get the hell away before Parker showed up and an awkward situa-
The door swung open.
I saw his feet first. I didn't know why that was where I looked. Maybe it was because starting from the bottom and working my way up his body was easier to stomach than our eyes instantly meeting. Unfortunately, it also meant that I had to take in every inch of him as my gaze worked its way up over his light, ripped jeans, baby-blue polo shirt, and stubbled jaw.
He hadn't shaved.
"Finally!" Yia-Yia exclaimed, throwing her arms up. "Now we do proper."
"Err." Parker closed the door behind him. "What are we doing properly?"
I'm glad he could understand her broken English. It saved me having to translate.
"Menu." Ryan gave him a wry smile. "Raven was about as useful as a condom in a nunnery."
"Hey!" I turned to face him and set my hand on his hip. "I reminded everyone that we need all the food because our family is insanely picky."
"And that was very helpful," he drawled, not looking at me.
"Well, what did you expect?" Parker asked, walking right past me and sitting in the seat I'd just vacated. "Look at the menu she drew up for this place. It's only decent because I forced her into it. She'd serve chicken wings to a toddler if left alone with one for too long."
"Are we done with the bitching out Raven party?" My words snapped out of me.
"Raven!" Yia-Yia pointed a wrinkled finger at me. "Watch your mouth," she reprimanded me in Greek.
Sure. They can bitch at me but the second I use a marginally naughty word I'm in trouble?
That made perfect damn sense.
"I'm going to get some real work done," I huffed, turning away.
The only good thing that came from that was the fact I didn't have to look Parker in the eye.
***
I hummed along to the latest Ed Sheeran song as I finally finished putting the stock back on the shelves in the cellar. It'd taken the better part of two and a half hours to get it all back where it was supposed to be.
If this exercise had taught me anything, it was that I should never, ever do it again.
"Are you still in here?"
I turned at the sound of Ryan's voice. "Given the fact you're out there and I'm in here, it's pretty obvious."
"Jesus, Ray, what's up your ass?"
I waved him off. "I'm tired," I replied, only half-lying. "The summer rushes plus opening the kitchen plus this family reunion is making me tired."
"You don't look tired."
"Of course, I don't. I'm a woman. I have the capability to hide any emotions I want to."
"Except annoyance."
"Then don't piss me off." I grinned as I stood. "Is Yia-Yia still here?"