It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover

married to Ryle, no matter how much Ryle wanted his delusions to be true so
they could excuse his behavior.
“How are things with Adonis?”
I laugh. “You mean Atlas?”
“I said what I said. Adonis, the beautiful Greek god you’re in love with.”
I laugh again. “Wasn’t Adonis a product of incest?”
Allysa shoves me. “Stop deflecting. How are things going?”
I roll onto my stomach and lift up on my elbow. “Good, if we’d ever get to
spend time together. His restaurant doesn’t open until my flower shop closes.
We haven’t even spent an entire night with each other yet.”
“What’s Atlas doing right now? Working?”
I nod.
“You should see if he can take off early and I’ll keep Emerson tonight. We
don’t have plans tomorrow; you could come get her whenever.”
My eyes widen at her offer. “For real?”
Allysa climbs off the bed. “Rylee loves it when she’s here. Go spend the
night with your Adonis.”
I didn’t text Atlas to let him know I was on my way to Corrigan’s. He told
me he’d be working there tonight, and I thought it might be fun to surprise
him, but when I walk through the doors that lead to the kitchen, I’m amazed
at how busy it is. No one even hears me enter, so I look around until I spot
him.
Atlas is inspecting each plate as they’re given to him to place on trays,
then the waitstaff quickly disappear with the food through the double doors.
This place is more upscale than Bib’s, and I thought Bib’s was upscale. All
the waiters are dressed in formal attire. Atlas is in a white chef’s coat that
matches a couple of the others in the kitchen.
They’ve got such a groove going, I question whether I should have shown
up. I feel like I’ll be in the way if I walk over to him, but I suddenly feel very
awkward that I just showed up without letting him know.
I recognize Darin as soon as he spots me. He smiles and nods his head,
then gets Atlas’s attention. He motions toward me, and when Atlas turns
around and sees me in his kitchen, his eyes light up. But only momentarily.
The fact that I’m here instantly changes his excitement to concern. He makes