Page 28 of Holly versus Mr. Ivy
I pointed to the mixer. The butter had turned pale and fluffy. “Is it too late to triple the batch? Might be a nice surprise for the staff.” And if I gave Holly all the credit, it might help them soften toward her.
She glanced at the clock. “If we hurry. We’re running out of time.”
“Yes—”
She cut me off with a glare and a finger stabbing toward my chest. “Don’t you dare say it.”
“Yes, Chef,” I mouthed.
She smacked my chest with the back of her hand.
My brows flew toward my hairline. Why had my stomach fluttered like that? I had planned to keep my hands to myself, as I did with all my friends, but if she was bringing out theplatonicphysical touches, then so was I.
I guessed the talking thing would take a little while longer for Holly to get used to. She bossed me around, which was totally fine by me, but she shut down all of my attempts at further conversation. I purposely blamed it on the added stress of making enough cookies for everyone. But what better way to start this new camaraderie I wanted to build?
“I think I’ll take a rain check on the hot chocolate,” I whispered to Holly when the back metal door slammed in the hallway right outside the kitchen. The staff had arrived. Almost three-dozen cookies lined the prep area of the kitchen. I’d snagged two from the first batch out of the oven. Holly’s mom’s recipe was to die for. The sweet dough and melted chocolate partied in my mouth as I chewed the gooey center.
“That’s probably a good idea.”
Nico, with his long curly hair pulled back in a man-bun, waltzed into the kitchen. I didn’t quite understand the fascination with that hairstyle, but I’d also kept mine the same since college, so what did I know?
“Chef. Rhett.” He greeted us with a casual smile. “What are you two doing in here?” He pointed at us and the desserts littering the counter.
“Chef Dewhurst thought cookies would be a nice way to say thank you to all the employees for their hard work lately.”
Nico raised a brow, disbelief clearly written on his face. His attention turned to Holly, whose cheeks tinged pink. “Really?”
Holly shot me a confused glance before answering Nico. “It was a joint effort between Mr. Ivy and myself.”
Nico’s wide lips smiled, showing off his white teeth against his naturally tanned skin. “I see.” He snatched a cookie, popping it into his mouth. He swallowed. “Those are fantastic. We should talk to Starla about offering a cookie skillet using that recipe and her homemade ice cream.”
I pointed at Nico. “Not a bad idea. In fact, where are you two on the menu revamp?”
Holly scowled. “We’re doing our best, considering the short notice.”
Nico’s gaze darted between mine and Holly’s. He kept his mouth shut.
“I want to print new menus and have them ready to go by Thanksgiving. Are we on target?”
Holly shared a look with Nico. “I’d like it if we had more time. Usually, changing the menu takes months of testing.”
Yeah, well, Uncle Anthony didn’t like to wait. “I’m aware. Considering our restraints, can you be ready?”
Nico nodded. “We’re meeting Tuesday morning with the other chefs to discuss new dishes we’ll offer. We’ll test them next week as specials. Whatever sells, we’ll add in.”
“Excellent.”
Holly frowned. “Let’s just hope it’s good enough.”
Agreed. I bobbed my head once. “I’ll be in my office. Thanks again for the cookie, Chef.”
“You’re welcome.”
Back in my office, I couldn’t stop thinking about Holly agreeing to be friends. But more than that, how did just talking to her ease my stress? Yes, I still was overwhelmed and barely hanging on, but knowing Holly cared enough to make me cookies had helped me immensely. It also made me like her more than I already did. With each new character trait Holly revealed to me, the more I wanted to see all of her. Because what she’d shown me so far?
Unforgettable.
Chapter 12
