Page 34 of The Chef's Kiss
“Conner wanted to give me an internship where I followed Lena around to learn the restaurant business. People are going to think whatever they want to think. The important thing is for me to know I’ve done this on my own. I’m not asking Lena for a job. I’m asking you.”
“Manager?” I shook my head. “You know that means you and I will be working closely together.”
“Just so you know, I don’t date anyone I work with even if we are working closely.” Jorgina sat primly on the edge of her stool with her hands clasped in front of her.
“That’s good because I’m not interested in anything beyond your ability to get certain vendors on board.”
“Like my aunt Rosalie?” She picked up the glass of mead to take a sip, but set it back down and pushed it away.
“Exactly.”
“I can make that happen. We’ll go talk to her tomorrow.”
“She’s never at the farm. I’ve tried twice, and the only one ever there is Emery. Talking to that kid is an exercise in futility.”
“Emery will tell me where to find her.”
“Then, let’s do this.” I offered her my hand to shake on it.
She hesitated.
“What’s the problem?”
“You hire me as the manager and I get to hire the wait staff. You pay me a competitive wage and treat me with respect. And … I get to choose the uniforms. I will not wear a hideous color.”
“Fair enough. But as the manager, I would expect you to wear something more fashionable than the waitress uniform.”
“I can wear my own clothes?” Her face brightened.
“Please. I’d expect any manager I hired to dress impeccably. Yours will be the face of the dining experience. Mine will be the face of the culinary experience. Is that everything?”
She took my hand and blurted. “Don’t call me before ten o’clock in the morning, and I don’t do dishes.” She shook my hand, and I laughed.
“I will call my employees whenever I need them. Day or night. And everyone is expected to do dishes at some point when we’re backed up.”
“Fine. Just don’t over garlic your food, and we have a deal.”
“Now, you want to tell me how to cook too? This is going to be fun.”
“A match made in heaven.” She sighed.
“You can start tomorrow.” I turned to retrieve my phone and check my calendar.
“I’ll be in at noon. Then, I’ll show you how Superiore Bay really works.”
13
JORGINA
I tried to get in on time. I really did. But the moment I pulled myself out of bed, all the contents of my stomach decided to make an appearance. Ruby came running as I hit the floor on my hands and knees, grappling for the trash can.
I barely got it in front of me before losing the battle.
This sucked.
Whoever claimed pregnancy was a magical time in a woman’s life was obviously a masochist. It was a cruel trick to make women believe nine months of torture was like a stroll through the fairy garden on the other side of the rainbow.
If babies weren’t so darn cute, the human race would go extinct.
