Page 30 of Forever Home

“Smartass…” she remarks rolling her eyes before clearing her throat. “Per your request for a four-course meal, we’re starting with the appetizer and almost raw dish of kampachi crudo with grated Meyer lemon and a sun-dried tomato sauce vierge. From there we move on to dish number deux, slowly baked salmon with royal Osetra Caviar and a horseradish Emulsion, Travis’s pick of course. The man loves his salmon…”

“You’re not wrong about that,” I reply jokingly. “And course three?”

She pauses, crossing her arms as she stares at me. “You’re in charge of course three… Care to share it with the team?”

“Of course,” I say my smile widening as I move towards the stove, the slow slick of butter melting beautifully in the silver pan on medium heat. Poached lobster accented with my famous truffled gnocchi and toppedwith a luxurious natural jus au poivre. Though, this time… I will be adding something else… a secret ingredient to really heighten the flavors.

“The pomegranate… that’s what you’re using it for?”

Her voice sounds slightly unsure as I glance at her once more, taking in her slightly parted lips and narrowing brow line. “It’s going to be okay… stop worrying.”

Taking a deep breath she nods. “I know, I know. I just know how hard you have worked for this, Jaxson. I don’t want you to lose this opportunity by trying out new things now.”

“I’m not though… I’ve made it at least twice before, in Paris.” I wink at her.

“Twice?” A low groan escapes her as she pinches the bridge of her nose and nods. “Okay, at the end of the day, you’re the Head Chef. This is your place and I’ll back you no matter what.”

She has no idea how much it means to me to hear her say that. The low simmer of the lobster goes into the pan as Travis calls out that the first dish was a success and the second dish is going out. The time for me to finish preparing is too short if I don’t hurry and continue on.

“The last dish, Vicki…” I say to her, my concentration fixed on the dish in front of me.

“Champagne-poached pears with a hint of vanilla paired with freshly made vanilla bean ice cream. Naturally, since it’s the producer of World of Foods favorite dish.”

My eyes meet hers with confusion as she gives me a smirk.

“Yes, I do my homework, Jaxson. As soon as I knew what was going on, I took care finding out what would soothe his soul. You’re welcome.”

“I could kiss you right now.”

She scrunches her nose and curls her lips back in disgust. “How about you don’t. I love you Jaxson, but Amelia doesn’t share. Now, hurry up… you’re on next.”

With Vicki back to doing what she’s best at, and the lobster and gnocchi complete, I carefully plate the dish. Each ingredient has its own place as I drizzle the sauce on the plate ensuring that the intricate design is absolutely perfect, before shaving a sprinkle of fresh truffle over the gnocchi, admiring it as I wipe the rim of the plate.

“Is it ready, Chef?” the expediter asks, stepping into the kitchen. My eyes lift to meet his as I nod.

“Yes, take both dishes to our special guests.”

He nods, not bothering to speak a word as I let out a heavy breath and lean against the counter. As far as I can tell, everything has been going perfectly. Not only did the interview go well, as did the walk-through of the kitchen and a brief showcase of a dish we were preparing for tonight. But every time I look through the window of the kitchen door I see the two men smiling and talking while enjoying their food.

Never once did either person push a dish away.

By the end of the night, the conversations with both men have gone well and I’m left with nothing but a smile on my face. My heart is swelling with the idea that this time next year I could be on Netflix. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted.

“Great job tonight,” Travis calls out. He and Vicki are heading off to meet her partner at a local bar for a drink. “You sure you don’t want to come with us?”

“No,” I reply, shaking my head. “You guys go enjoy yourself.”

It isn’t even two minutes after they leave that my phone starts ringing and I glance down to see Caityln’s name flashing across the screen. A sense of dread shoots through me. I haven’t talked to her in months, and now after what went down tonight, she’s calling me?

Swiping decline, I shove my phone into my pocket as I watch Collon oversee the rest of the cleaning. I thought Caitlin and I had so much in common, we even work in the same industry. How could I have gotten it completely wrong with her? Even though we ended things, she doesn’t seem to want to take the hint when I don’t answer her calls. Instead, she continues to call me as if I’m going to answer and give her the time of day.

Unlike Madi, who is genuine and kind. A woman who cares about others before herself.

Caitlin is nothing but a waste of my time, and an inconvenience I don’t want to relive.

***

“I’m sorry, Jaxson, the Epicurean Channel pulled out.”

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