Pushed

Chapter 20

Ever since Jasperand I discussed the menu yesterday, I’d been trying to think up some way to get back at him. This new menu was going to be amazing. And no, it did not have criadillas or Rocky Mountain Oysters on it. I’d just finished typing up all the items with descriptions into a document on the office computer when the restaurant phone rang.

“Moonstruck Steakhouse. How can I help you?”

“Hello. This is Floyd Bellows. I was hoping to speak to Jasper. Is he in?”

“No, he usually comes by in the afternoons. Is there something I can help you with, sir?”

“He called me about an order of bull testicles, but I forgot to get his number and one of my farm hands is out sick today, so it’ll have to wait a day or so.”

That sneaky swine. He really was going to make sure I had to cook them. Well, two could play that game.

“Oh yes. We talked about that just the other day. I know Jasper mentioned how interesting it would be to help with that, but he didn’t want to be in the way. If he came over, would you be able to get it done today?”

“Certainly. His help would be much appreciated.”

“What time should I tell him to come by?”

“After lunch, about one o’clock would be good.”

“Alright, I’ll give him the message.”

I hung up the phone and chuckled. Jasper thought he was pulling one over on me, making me cook those disgusting things. But now he would have to actually help harvest them.

This was better than anything I could have come up with, and it just fell into my lap. Just the thought of it made me smile.

I sent a message to Jasper.

Me: Message for you from some farmer that your order will be ready to pick up at 1pm today. Does this make sense to you?

Jasper: Yep. Thanks. I’ll take care of it.

I was still giggling to myself as I prepped for the day.

Eric walked in and tilted his head skeptically. “Have you been sampling wild mushrooms again? What’s got you so happy?”

“Just a little something in the works for my buddy, Jasper.”

“It can’t be anything good if it makes you so giddy.”

I cackled and rubbed my hands together. “It’s going to be epic. Just wait and see.”

“You’re not gonna tell me what it is?”

“Nope. Don’t want to spoil the surprise. But I’m sure we’ll hear about it by midafternoon.”

Eric’s eyes lit with excitement. “I’ll get the popcorn ready. I have a feeling this is going to be entertaining.”

“It will be, but rather than popcorn, I need you to get these specials ready.” I handed him the specials list for today. “Anyway, the real show is happening on a local farm right after lunch. I’d pay good money to be a fly on the wall or have a hidden camera to watch it happen.”

“I don’t know what you’re up to, but it sure sounds devious. All this time, we’ve worked together, and I never knew you had a scheming and conniving side to you.”

“Neither did I, actually.”

“You might complain about Jasper a lot, but you also smile more and seem to have more fun since he came along.”

I glared at my sous chef. But as much as I denied it, he was right. Jasper brought out a side of me I had thought long dead and gone. I had to keep reminding myself that this thing between us could never be anything more than play acting.

If it became real, my dreams would become secondary to his, and he’d take over everything. I couldn’t let that happen. Not again. My first job out of culinary school, I got involved with one of my coworkers. We were both fresh out of school. Outside of work, we practiced together and created new dishes we hoped to use when we had our own restaurant someday. That is, until he caught the attention of an agent for a cooking network and used my recipes to launch his own cooking show.

No. I had to remember my partnership and fake engagement with Jasper was just a means to get what I wanted this time. I’d never let myself get used like that again. The memory had me chopping fiercely, and with more force than necessary.

“Sorry. I overstepped.” Eric lifted his hands in surrender. “Do you want me to prep meats or make sauces, Chef?”

“Why don’t you start with the sauces?”

With Taylor Swift playing in the background, we found our rhythm prepping for dinner.

A few hours later, in the thick of the dinner rush, the back door flew open and Jasper stormed in. The rest of the staff gaped at him like spectators watching a circus act.

He plopped a plastic bag onto the counter in front of me. “Here. A fresh delivery from Farmer Floyd.”

“Very fresh, it looks like.” The plastic bag was steamy on the inside. I cringed just looking at it. “Did he have it ready when you got there, or did you have to wait?”

“No waiting whatsoever. In fact, he put me to work as soon as I stepped out of my car. You owe me new clothes and a new pair of shoes. Had I known what I was in for, I’d have dressed more appropriately. Imagine Floyd’s surprise when I walked into his barn in my Italian leather dress shoes.”

“Well, who wears those kind of shoes to help on a farm? And you call yourself a farm kid.”

“Well, I didn’t know I would be helping, did I?” he said through gritted teeth, then he pointed a finger at me. ”You win a point for that one. But this isn’t over. Now you have to make good on your promise and cook these up. And I expect you to eat them.” He stood in a solid stance with his arms folded across his chest, his muscular arms flexing beneath his rolled-up sleeves. “It will probably be a looong time before I go near beef again, if ever.”

“Okay. I’ll be sure to put these to good use.” I jiggled the bag to make him squirm a bit more.

“Oh, no you don’t. In order for this to count, I need to witness you cooking them and eating them.” He challenged me with that mischievous sparkle in his eyes, which seemed to be his trademark. “If you can’t do it, you have to acknowledge that I beat you. I am superior.”

That last part flipped a switch in me. No way was he going to get the best of me. And I would never concede that he was superior. Never.

“Alright. You’re on. But you need to taste what I make, or you won’t know that it’s the best thing you’ve ever eaten.” I countered, crossing my arms to mimic his pose as we faced off. “But it won’t be today. I need some time to work on a recipe.”

“That’s probably for the best. I won’t be able to stomach eating anything for a while, and especially not that.” He stabbed a finger toward the bag, and backed away like it was going to stab back. “Just transporting it had me gagging.” He turned away and mimicked barfing.

I picked up the plastic bag, tied off at the end, and held it carefully with the tips of two fingers. A blob of bloody rare meat jiggled inside. It really was disgusting. I reminded myself it was just rare meat, set it in the refrigerator, and closed the door. Jasper seemed to relax now that it was no longer in sight.

“As long as you’re here, can I show you the menu I typed up?” I asked. “It’s in the office.”

“Yeah. I can take a quick look, then I need to go home and shower.” He bent his head to sniff his shirt and his nose crinkled. “So much for getting things done here today.”

I should apologize, really I should. But I didn’t think I could pull off a genuine apology when I felt so smug about my small victory.

Before leaving the kitchen, I turned to my staff. “Show’s over. Time to get back to work. I’ll be back in a bit.”

My sous chef, line cooks, and waitstaff had all halted their work to watch me and Jasper sparring. They immediately agreed and moved back into position to resume their duties.

Jasper led the way back to the office and sat down in the desk chair. I leaned over him for the mouse to open the file on the computer. My shoulder brushed across his chest. I heard him inhale. Was he smelling me?

“It should be in this file, right here.” I tried hard to redirect my attention back to what I wanted to show him.

His hand covered mine over the mouse. A zing of electricity moved up my arm. I turned to look at him, and our faces were almost touching. It would be so easy to kiss him. I glanced at his lips, and then back to his eyes, and my insides became as gooey as the caramel they reminded me of. Those eyes darkened with heat. He seemed to be thinking the same thing and licked his lips. I found myself leaning toward him, as if under a spell.

The phone rang and I jumped back. Spell broken.

Jasper answered the phone as if nothing had happened, or almost happened. I escaped to the hallway and leaned against the wall, trying to calm my breathing.

Jasper was my business partner. There would be no kissing. Kissing him would only make things more complicated. And it was complicated enough as it was. I needed to keep my distance and my professional boundaries in place.

Besides, I had enough to handle with the changes we were making in the restaurant. I didn’t have time for anything else. No. Kissing Jasper was not on my agenda.

Not now. Not ever.