Page 23 of Slow Simmer

Chapter Twelve

Carlo made it to the kitchen before Suzannah, who left his cabin to go shower and change in her own. Sauntering in whistling cheerfully, the notes died on his lips as he found Luke in the kitchen talking to Samira and admiring the just-finished wedding cake covered in delicate sugar roses.

“Morning, Carlo. Isn’t this spectacular?” Luke gestured to the cake.

“It is, Samira’s very talented. Did you even go to bed, or did you sleep here?” he teased the young baker, who ducked her head shyly.

“I got plenty of sleep, Chef,” she said quietly.

“If you say so. You’ve done an incredible job with this.” Carlo moved around to the other side of the counter to inspect the cake from all angles. “You’ll have your own wedding cake business soon enough, mark my words.”

“I’m more than happy here learning from you, Chef!” Samira gave him a devoted look. “I know there’s a lot more to being a pastry chef than a knack for making pretty flowers.”

“You’re not wrong, but you’re well on the way there. Anyway, what can I do for you this morning, Luke?”

“I stopped in to see Suzannah, actually, but she’s not in yet. Came in here to look at the cake when I caught a glimpse through the door.” Luke gestured at the doorway between the two kitchens. “How are things going, with two senior chefs working here? I know there was a little friction at the beginning…”

“Not from my side,” Carlo said quickly, wanting to nip that rumour in the bud. “I think Chef Monteil was just a little miffed she was presented with afait accompli,rather than getting a shortlist to choose her own candidate from. Everything’s flowing smoothly.”

“The restaurant’s certainly getting rave reviews. Have you looked at the latest?”

Carlo had to admit he hadn’t. He’d been too busy. Luke rolled his eyes, looking amused.

“Take it from me, the new desserts you’ve been trialling are going over very well indeed.”

“Considering the one he gave me to try last night, I’m not surprised,” a voice drawled, and Suzannah stepped into the pastry kitchen. She looked fresh and bright, her red curls drawn up in a knot on top of her head, no sign on her face that she’d been awake half the night having wild, passionate sex.

“Morning, Suzannah.” Luke smiled at her broadly, and Suzannah returned the smile.

“It’s always a pleasure to see you, Luke, but I know you wouldn’t be in my kitchen unless there’s something you need to discuss with me. Step into my office?”

“Of course. Carlo, would you join us? There’s something I need to discuss with you both.”

Luke didn’t look particularly serious, so Carlo assumed it wasn’t anything grim. When the three of them were squeezed into Suzannah’s tiny office, Suzannah in her chair, Luke in the one visitor’s chair and Carlo propping up the wall at the side, Luke filled them in.

“Have you heard of B-Rex?”

Suzannah looked blank, but Carlo nodded. “He’s an American rap musician. Won one of those big talent quests a few years ago and has gone on to make it pretty big.”

“Very good. Culture points for Carlo.” Luke grinned at him. “And please tell me you both know who Myst is?”

Even Suzannah nodded at that. Myst was a breakout Australian pop star; you couldn’t switch on a radio without hearing one of her epic ballads at the moment.

“They’re doing a duet which Myst hopes to use to break into the American market. B-Rex is over here on tour and the song has already been recorded; they only have a limited window to shoot the video, though, and the production company have reached out. Myst’s manager owns one of the private villas on the island and they’re going to use that and a couple of our locations to shoot.”

“Wow,” Carlo said, properly impressed. “That’s massive.”

“Next week.”

Suzannah’s mouth opened in a silent O and she traded a quick glance with Carlo. “Riiiiight,” she said finally, drawing out the word. “And you’re telling us this because…?”

“Because the production company have specifically requested thatLa Sirèneprovide catering for the stars, for the three days they’ll be here on the island, including provision of dishes which may or may not appear in the final cut of the video.” Luke smiled tightly as he explained. “The figure they offered made even my eyes pop. So I said yes.”

“Could be worse,” Suzannah said after a moment, “you could have told them you’d make restaurant tables available, when we’re booked out six months in advance and have an absolute policy of no bumping.”

“If they’d asked, I’d have said no. However, this is a different thing, and if you two pull this off, I’ll see that fifty per cent of the fee we’re being paid for the catering services goes to you. Directly.”

Suzannah waved a hand, dismissing that. “The money isn’t important.”

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