Page 5 of Holly versus Mr. Ivy
Rhett stood and shook hands with his uncle.
Anthony placed his hands on the sides of the chair, pushing himself to a standing position. “Rhett. Chef Holly. I look forward to New Year’s Eve.”
With that, he tromped his way out the door.
Rhett stood the entire time, watching him go.
I sat frozen in my chair. How could we increase profits by that much? Reduce the menu? Open for lunch? Fire some of the staff? I had three from the kitchen I’d let go with as part of “operation increase revenue.”
Rhett plopped back into the chair, letting out a huge sigh of relief. “Finally, he’s gone.” He undid the top button of his shirt, exposing more of his smooth, tan skin.
Say what, now?“I didn’t realize you’d be so happy to see your uncle leave. You were utterly smitten with him earlier.”
I didn’t mean to sound so snarky, but my defenses had gone up the second he’d flirted. Well, not flirted, butexaggerated. I knew his type, and they always meant trouble.
He smirked. “One must play the game to succeed.”
Whatgame? My life, the obstacles I’d tackled to get here, weren’t some child’s play. I poured sweat, blood, and tears continually into this job. I stood. “I really need to get to the kitchen.” My employees were probably wielding pitchforks, considering I was now almost an hour late. “Would you like to come meet my staff?”
“Your staff?”
I spun and glared at Rhett. “Yes.Mystaff.Mykitchen.Myrules. Do whatever you want with the rest of the restaurant, but don’t you dare overstep on my responsibilities.”
He grinned.
Why was he grinning? What had I said that was funny?Egotistical show-off.
“Chef Holly,” he crooned with clasped hands.
Nope. Not happening. Anytime he opened his mouth, my physical attraction to him decreased a thousand notches. The rate he was going, he’d be the equivalent of a street rat by the end of the night. “It’s Chef Dewhurst to you.”
He held his hands out defensively. “Chef Dewhurst, I have no intention of stepping on your toes. I’m here to workwithyou, notagainstyou.”
Yeah, right.
I squeezed my eyes shut. Make today go away.Let this all be a bad dream with a hot, conceited man. When I opened my eyes again, all hope evaporated like boiling water.
Rhett was real, and he was here to stay.
Stupid Tuesday.
Chapter 2
Rhett
UncleAnthonyhadfailedto mention that the black-haired chef I’d be working with was gorgeous. I’d sworn off women a year ago after my ex broke up with me when I was at my lowest, but this goddess fleetingly made me question my decision. I shook it off, determined to keep my promise to myself even though her ability to speak up to my uncle immediately caught my attention. Not many people I’d met had that courage. Even I struggled to do so.
“It’s just a dream,” Holly muttered under her breath.
“Holly?” I asked, leaning over the chairs to tap her elbow.
She met my stare.
“What do you say?” I asked. “Can we work together on this?” I looked forward to getting to know her better since I hadn’t worked with an executive chef this young before. It took a lot of hard work to make it to the top. To accomplish such a feat so early in her career meant Holly was one of the best. Between the two of us, we might just make our goal.
She clenched her fists. “Fine.”
This was the first time someone had ever clenched their fist in anger—annoyance?—at having to work with me. I stood and grinned. “I’m looking forward to it.”
