Page 94 of Long Shot

Want to meet for coffee?

Sure. Thanks!

We arrange to meet at a coffee place on the beach, not far from Conquistadors. We sit out on the patio with our cups. The sun is bright, but a cool breeze off the ocean keeps the temperature mild.

“What’s going on?” Carrie leans forward. “Is this about Cade?”

I bite my lip. “Um, not exactly. Sort of. Damn.”

Carrie tilts her head.

“It’s complicated.” I sigh. “This morning I got a job offer.”

Carrie’s forehead furrows. “Oh. Wow. Where?”

“A new restaurant that Graham Sand is opening. In Los Angeles.”

Carrie’s eyes widen. “Oh. Oh! That’s . . . wow.”

“Yeah.

“Apparently, Graham has been following my career. He saw Joy Dizon’s review and he came to Conquistadors last night to check out my cooking firsthand.”

“And he obviously liked it.”

“Yes. He approved. We had breakfast this morning—” Carrie’s shocked gasp makes me pause and wave my hands. “That’s all it was. Breakfast. And his business partner and producer were there.”

Carrie purses her lips.

“And he told me about the restaurant and offered me a job as chef de cuisine there.”

Carrie nods.

“It sounds amazing,” I continue, folding my paper napkin over and over. “Very high concept. He’s a big name now, so I know it will do well. He offered lots of money.” I give a short laugh.

“Probably a lot more than you make here.”

I shrug. “Well, yeah.”

“Sounds like a fantastic offer.”

“It is. I . . . I don’t know what to do.”

Carrie regards me somberly. “Why aren’t you jumping at it?”

That’s the big question, isn’t it? “I don’t know.”

“I think you do know.”

I sigh. “Well. I feel a sense of loyalty to Conquistadors. Things are going well, but I’ve just gotten started . . .”

“Uh-huh.”

“Not that it’s all my doing,” I add quickly.

“It is.”

I make a face. “It’s everyone. You think your photographs and Instagram posts haven’t helped? They absolutely have. And the others in the kitchen are great . . . they just need some guidance. The floor staff is a good group now, too . . . nice personalities, strong customer service skills—”

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