19. Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Mira
B y the time I got downtown, my nerves had twisted my stomach into tight knots.
The Savannah Lace building was old but renovated, and looked like something out of Designing Women .
I was a respectable twenty minutes early. Nina only had time after five in the evening, which suited me fine. I would've been there if she'd said she could only see me at three in the morning. I wanted this job that badly.
I looked at my reflection in the glass windows of the building, and tried to convince myself that I belonged here.
Nova had told me how she'd grown up poor, and how she'd gotten a seat at the table—but I wasn't Nova. I didn't have her confidence or her education. I could make a mean coq au vin , but if you asked me to look at an Excel sheet, I'd run screaming.
I smoothed down the dress Nova had given me to wear, and then ran a hand over my hair to tuck away any flyaways.
I took a deep breath.
You can do this, Mira. It's just a job interview.
But I knew it was more than that—it was a chance to reclaim what I'd lost when Asha fell ill. I couldn't go to the CIA now, not with Pari still so young, but maybe I could find a culinary school in Savannah. Maybe I'd get on-the-job training here at Savannah Lace, and someday, I'd be a chef at a real restaurant. I could become someone Pari would be proud of—someone Beau would want to show off, instead of pretending we weren't together.
To be fair, Beau didn't hide us, but he also didn't advertise. There was no PDA—not like I saw with Nova and Anson, Katya and Trevor, and other friends of Beau's, like Gabe and Aurora, and Stella and Noah. I didn't know them well, but I'd met them when they'd come to Beau's house. Since that time I ran out of The Peregrine, he hadn't suggested we go out as a couple. We did go out of the house but always with Pari. I'd gotten pretty familiar with the children's museum, the zoo, and the various children's parks in Savannah.
Was he embarrassed of me? Probably. I would be. He was the CEO of a company and had an MBA from Wharton, while I had a high school degree and burn scars from working in a diner like every cook I ever knew.
Maybe once I got a respectable job, Beau would be more comfortable taking me out on a date. Maybe he'd tell me he loved me. Outside of Asha and Pari, no one had ever loved me—and I hungered for it, especially from Beau, because I was deeply, madly, Bollywood-movie style in love with him.
Nova opened the door to the building and grinned broadly. "Were you plannin' on comin' in?"
I smiled sheepishly. "I…I'm early so I thought I'd wait." Again, I looked at the phone Beau gave me to see the time.
I had a wristwatch, one that Asha had gifted me for my sixteenth birthday, nothing too expensive but still one of the nicest things I had, but it needed a new crystal as the original one had cracked. Once I had a job, I'd get that crystal watch face fixed, and I'd wear it again. I couldn't wait to do that, and all the other things I'd be able to once I was employed.
"Come in." Nova held the door wide open, and I stepped in, feeling gauche.
A redhead was sitting at reception, and she beamed at me. "Mira Sen?"
"Yes."
"This is Rebecca, Mira," Nova introduced me. "Rebecca, Mira is hopefully goin' to be cookin' our food, so let's be nice to her, yeah?"
Rebecca laughed. "As if I'm ever not nice." She fluttered her eyelashes. "Well, sometimes I am…difficult when the visitor is challenging."
Nova dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "Yesterday, she told a client who made a comment about her… bosom that he could walk right the hell out."
I gaped. "You did?"
Rebecca tossed her head, sending her hair cascading in smooth, glossy waves, like a perfect shampoo ad come to life. "No shit, Sherlock. He can't talk to me like that."
"And your boss was okay with that?" If I'd asked someone at the diner who made a pass at me—or even grabbed a body part—to leave, my boss would've had my head. We couldn't send paying customers away just because they didn't know how to behave.
"Nina called the client and told him to never ever come back," Nova informed me. "Come on, let me show you around, and then you can talk to Nina."
"She'll be free in ten minutes," Rebecca stated.
The building may have been old and historic, but the inside was sleek and modern, with clean lines and soft lighting. The architecture screamed sophistication—just like everything Nina Davenport touched, Nova informed me when I commented in awe.
Nova had been talking about her boss for weeks, hyping her up as the most no-nonsense, brilliant woman she'd ever worked for. From what I'd gathered, Nina was a force of nature. She founded Savannah Lace and made it thrive, and she had a reputation for being tough but fair.
"So, this will be the kitchen." We entered an empty room with a sink. Seeing my blank expression, because this was not a kitchen, Nova chuckled. "Once you're hired, you can decide how you want this kitchen to look. That's why we haven't finished it."
There was a dining area attached to the kitchen, which had a large mahogany table and several smaller ones, paired with elegant Italian-style, mid-century modern dining chairs. It was very fashionable, on par with top restaurants.
"We want to serve breakfast and lunch to employees…I mean, if they want it, and I think they will, instead of bringing something or going to a restaurant every day, which can become expensive." Nova walked with me through the hallways of Savannah Lace. "And we don't want to bring food from a restaurant every time we have a client. We want to serve breakfast or snacks, and coffee, tea, that sort of thing for meetings."
Breakfast and lunch for the employees, catering for client meetings—it wasn't a restaurant, but it was a hell of a start. And for someone like me, who'd spent years managing a diner, I knew I could handle this. More than that, I knew this was the break I needed.
Nova believed in me. She said this was perfect for me. I just had to make sure Nina thought so as well.
When we came to a door that said Nina Davenport , my heart began to pound.
Nova knocked.
"Come in," came a clear, firm voice from the other side.
Nova opened the door, and I got my first look at Nina. She sat behind her desk, her sharp, dark eyes locking onto mine instantly. She was exactly as Nova had described: stern, no nonsense, and stunning. Her dark hair was pulled back into a sleek bun, and her tailored suit made her look like she'd just stepped out of a fashion magazine. But it wasn't just her appearance—there was something about her presence that commanded attention, even respect. I could see why Nova looked up to her. She intimidated the hell out of me.
"Mira." Nina stood up and extended a hand across the desk. "So wonderful to meet you. I've heard amazing things about your food from Nova and Beau."
She'd talked to Beau about me? Did she know we were sleeping together? Oh God!
I shook her hand, feeling a surge of nervous energy. "Thank you for meeting with me."
"Have a seat."
I took a deep breath and sat on a chair across from her. Nova settled next to me.
"As I said, Nova's spoken highly of you." Nina folded her hands in front of her. "And I trust her judgment. But I'd like to hear from you. Why do you think you're a good fit for this position?"
Straight to the point. No chit chat. No, how's the weather ?
I kept my voice steady, not wanting Nina to see the tremors I felt inside. "I've managed a diner for several years," I began. "Handled everything from inventory, staffing, creating menus, to customer service. And while it's not exactly the same as running a cafeteria, I think the skills I developed there are transferable. I'm used to juggling a lot of responsibilities, and I've learned how to work under pressure. I believe I can create a space here at Savannah Lace that not only feeds your team but also gives them a place to recharge during the day. A place that makes their lives easier."
I had practiced this little speech with Beau, and while I took a shower, and with Pari, and in front of the mirror—you get the point.
Nina's expression remained unreadable, but she nodded, her eyes never leaving mine. "Managing a diner is one thing, but this is a corporate environment. We have a certain expectation for professionalism, and we cater to high-profile clients regularly. How do you plan to adjust to that shift?"
Okay, so far it appeared like I'd prepared well for the interview. I'd nagged Beau to ask me questions he'd ask if he had a cafeteria. He said his company had one, which employed over a thousand people locally, and nearly three thousand more around the world. But since he'd not hired the caterers for the cafeteria, he told me he was winging it with the questions.
I took a breath, choosing my words carefully. "I know the setting is different, but the fundamentals are the same—whether you're managing a diner or a corporate cafeteria, it's about delivering quality, being consistent, and providing excellent service. I'd approach this role with the same mindset. I'd be meticulous with the details. Whether it's crafting simple meals for the staff or catering to important clients, the goal would be the same: make sure the food reflects the standards of this company. I'm flexible, and I'm always learning. And I'm passionate about good food, whether it's for one person or a hundred."
For a moment, Nina just looked at me, her expression still unreadable. My heart raced. Had I said too much? Not enough? The silence was heavy, and I fought the urge to fidget under her gaze.
Finally, she leaned back in her chair. "Tell me, Mira," she said, her tone softer now, "Why do you want this? Why here?"
For a moment, I wasn't sure how to answer. But then I looked into Nina's sincere eyes, and I knew the best way with her was the truth.
"If you know Beau and Nova, you know that I'm here because of my niece. I want to become a chef but, for now, going to culinary school is not an option for me—which is why I want to get as much on-the-job training as I can." I stopped to breathe. "The truth is, Nina, my life hasn't really been mine for a while now, and I need to find my place again. I want to contribute to something bigger, to be part of a team. I've spent years taking care of others, and I don't regret it. I will continue to do so, but I want this for me. I know I can bring value to Savannah Lace, and I want to grow alongside it."
Nina's sharp gaze softened slightly, and she gave a small nod. "I appreciate your honesty. This isn't an easy job—it'll require managing multiple tasks at once, meeting deadlines, and keeping up with the high standards we've set here. But from what I've heard, and what you've said, I believe you're up for the challenge."
My breath caught. "Does that mean...?"
Nina allowed a small smile to flicker at the corners of her mouth. "Yes. I'm willing to give you a chance. We'll start with a probationary period to see how you handle the workload, but I believe you could be exactly what we need here."
I felt the tension in my body melt away, replaced with a surge of excitement and relief. "Thank you, Nina. I won't let you down."
"I believe you." She rose and extended her hand once again. "Welcome to Savannah Lace. Nova will get the paperwork started, and we'll have to go through things like background checks and all that before you start."
Nova nodded. "I'd say the formalities will take a couple of weeks to sort through. That will give you time to plan things for Pari."
I could've wept, I was so relieved. "That's it? I have the job." I looked from Nina to Nova. "I thought you'd want me to cook for you."
"Beau is a picky sumbitch," Nina scoffed. "So, if he thinks your cooking is flawless, it is probably better than that, otherwise, he'd have nit-picked it apart."
I couldn't help but smile. Nina was intimidating, yes, but she was also personable and charming. I was going to really like working here, I thought, not being able to contain my joy.
Nova took me to her office, and as we walked, a feeling stirred in me—one I hadn't experienced in years. I'd been exhausted for so long, but now, the thought of diving into more work left me energized. I wasn't just Mira, the woman playing house with Beau and caring for Pari. I was Mira, someone with something to offer, someone who could stand on her own two feet.
"Thank you, Nova." I hugged her as soon as we were in her office.
Nova patted my back. "No thanks needed, Mira. You got this because you're good at what you do."
I stepped back, and my insecurities came right back once the euphoria of getting the job passed. "You really think I can do this?"
"Mira, you can do anything you set your mind to," Nova remarked. "I don't think you know your own strength, but everyone around you can see it."
Once the paperwork was signed, I texted Beau: I got the job. We should celebrate.
I could splurge on a bottle of champagne. Or maybe sparkling wine would be more affordable. I had about two hundred dollars left in my account, and I could and would spend part of the money to pour some wine into a glass, and toast my new job with my man. I had a home, a car, and I had a job . I didn't have to count each penny anymore.
Beau texted back: Just get back .
Me: Is everything okay?
Beau: Yes.
That didn't sound like anything was okay. I decided to forego the bubbly and get home.