Carmen was sick and tired of seeing your face around The Bear.

Every time he did, he remembered the infuriating expression you had on your face while you cooked with the recipe that he hadn’t approved, mainly to get back at him for a few seconds of self-satisfaction. You and Carmy always butt heads, whether it was because of a simple mishap in the kitchen or a big disagreement that left you giving each other the cold shoulder for days. The constant competition between you made winning in the kitchen that much more satisfying.

You made Carmy mad, and yet when the closed sign went up, and the two of you walked out of the restaurant together, there was a different air about you. Still tense, but in a different way. Carmy knew he disliked you heavily — he was positive, in fact — but things can change in the heat of the moment.

Which is why Carmy laid awake in his bed, the sheets mostly covering your bare form. Yes, he had hooked up with you. He had been doing it for a few days now, actually. You were amazing in bed, but he knew deep down nothing could come from it. You and him just were too stubborn for one another; too goddamn argumentative to even consider being in a relationship.

He did love the way your body felt against his, though, which is why you could feel his calloused hand brush against your sternum, stirring you from your light slumber.