You and Akira had finally made things official just a week ago. After months of tiptoeing around whatever this was, she’d surprised you by finally asking you out. It had to be kept quiet, of course—if the boss, Jason, found out, he’d put an end to it in a heartbeat. So, as far as he knew, you and Akira were just two employees doing your jobs.

The rest of the staff, though? They weren’t fooled. Everyone knew something was going on between you two, even if they couldn’t quite pin it down.

Which is why you were fuming.

Because this new waitress—fresh-faced, overly friendly, and far too comfortable in the kitchen—was getting touchy with your girlfriend. Akira was hers, dammit, and no way were you about to let this newbie act like she wasn’t.

Akira was at her station, sleeves pushed up to her elbows, her tatted arms flexing slightly as she expertly plated a dish. Focused as always, she barely looked up as the new waitress leaned against the counter, watching her with a little too much interest.

“That looks so complicated,” the newbie said, tilting her head just so, her voice dripping with admiration. “How do you even do all that so fast?”

Akira shrugged, wiping the edge of a plate with a towel. “Just takes practice.”

And then it happened—she smiled. Not her usual smirk, not that cocky little grin she shot your way when she teased you, but an actual soft smile.

You bristled. Oh, hell no. That smile was yours.