Page 94 of So Not My Thing
I thought about suggesting Dylan again, but he seemed pretty intent on proving himself at Redbird, so I didn’t. Instead, I listened to Miles as he listed the top three candidates he had in mind.
“Anyway,” he concluded after he’d described all three of them, “I’d love to go with Le Anh, but I almost worry that she’s too ambitious. Like her version of modern classics might skew too far from the basics. I get nervous when people start throwing around the word ‘deconstructed.’ Makes me think I’m going to get a pile of ingredients on my plate.”
“Have your two top candidates come in and cook for you. A main and sides plus a dessert, see what they can do.”
“Is that insulting? To put them in there and make them playTop Chef?”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” I said. “Have them come in on different nights, bring in people who know what they’re talking about to try the food with you, then make a decision from there. If they each want the job, they won’t mind doing it. Pay them well and it’ll make it worth their time no matter what.”
“You’re brilliant,” he said. “Now will you help me find people who can try the food with me?”
“You’re from here. You know people.”
“Right, but this is a ploy to get to know more of your circle.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’ve already met my entire inner circle. Pick two weeknights, not back-to-back, and I might be able to get Dylan to come. Chloe knows food. You’ll definitely want her opinion. And if Miss Mary is in town, I’ll see if she and Mr. Douglas want to come down. Jerome might even be willing to stop in as well.”
“You’re the best.”
“I know. Your Lyft is here,” I said as it pulled up in front of the building. “I’ll drop by the club after work.”
He leaned forward and kissed me, soft and sweet, like it was the easiest thing in the world. I still felt a tiny bit shy about it, unsure yet if I was supposed to get in his space that way without an invitation.
“Just so you know,” Miles said climbing out of the car but leaning in to talk to me, “I’m going to steal every free minute you’ll give me, so you’re going to have to speak up loudly when you need me to back off.”
I climbed from the car and met his gaze over the roof. “See you after work, Miles. Today, tomorrow, and the day after too.”
He slid his hands into his pockets and turned toward the Lyft with a little dance step, half-turning to grin at me. “Best answer.”
As I walked into work, I admitted that the answer felt good to me too.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The next couple ofweeks passed in a blur. On the work side, Miles was preoccupied with staffing and finding a restaurant manager. Jordan focused on booking entertainment. They were both constantly in a state of panic over what to do about a head chef. They’d scheduled demos with their top choices, but they each already had a favorite going in, and since the debate was in full swing this morning, there would be getting no work done here.
“Guys, want me to invite my brother to the tasting?” I asked. “He’ll know exactly what you need.”
