Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
Kat
“I need a rack of lamb, a sirloin medium, and steamed mussels,” I called out, sliding the ticket to the side as the kitchen staff buzzed around me.
It was a bustling Friday night which meant that Ambrosia would have a line out the door with people trying to get a seat, even though we were booked three months out with reservations.
I focused on the tray that was ready to go out, making sure everything was perfect.
As executive chef, it was my job to ensure that every dish that went out was exactly as it had been ordered and that our signature style was reflected in the presentation.
We weren’t Seattle’s premier and most sought-after restaurant for nothing!
“Looks wonderful, thank you, Lauren.” I smiled at the server as she lifted the tray and carried it out.
A few more orders came through, and I was pleased that almost everything was correct, minus a few minor details.
However, I tried to be gentle as I coached our newest chef, Javier, on what he had missed.
I knew that most kitchens of our status would feel somewhat like stepping into Hell’s Kitchen, but I prided myself on treating everyone with respect.
You didn’t become a world-famous chef by belittling others.
Once the orders were corrected, I gave Javier a pat on the back and went about checking the rest.
“Hey, do you think I could borrow a cup of sugar?”
My head turned toward the velvety smooth voice. The question hadn’t been asked of me, and now I knew why.
“Why don’t you make sure you have the supplies you need before you open?” I asked, stepping beside Jamie, who was blushing as Miles gave her the smile that usually got him whatever he wanted.
He leaned forward, resting against the counter that separated us.
“Hey, Kat, you’re looking good tonight.” He gave me a cheeky smile and raised his brows.
I tilted my head and sighed.
“Really? You’ve sunken as low as sweet talking me for a cup of sugar?”
“Would you like me to earn it some other way? Because I’m totally open to suggestions.”
He rubbed his plump lips together, and I heard a soft whimper escape from Jamie.
I subtly nudged her with my elbow, and she jerked to attention and then rushed off.
She was the sous-chef which meant that she needed to be focused on what was happening in the kitchen and not on the flirty buffoon standing in front of me.
“If you paid attention to your inventory, you wouldn’t need to constantly come by asking us for stuff,” I said sharply, trying not to let his green eyes lock onto mine.
“I thought I had plenty, but then I launched this new caramel cheesecake dessert tonight, and it’s been more popular than I’d imagined. I ran short.” He shrugged as if it was an everyday thing to run out of ingredients when you were working in food service. But I guess for him, it was.
“Fine,” I sighed. “But this is the last time, and I mean it. If you’re going to run a food truck, then you need to learn how to manage it.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied before biting his lip.
I ignored the way my stomach flip-flopped and grabbed two cups of sugar from the kitchen.
“I assume this is all that you need tonight?” I asked. “I can’t afford to have my staff constantly distracted, so if you need something else, let’s just get it over with now.”
He leaned in close as he took the sugar. His mouth hovered just above my ear, sending a shiver through me as the warmth of his breath trailed down it.
“I’ll take a date if you’re handing them out.”
“In your dreams.” I pulled back and arched an eyebrow.
“Can’t blame me for trying,” he laughed and then stepped back. He turned to leave, then stopped and spun around to face me. “Just so you know, you’re always in my dreams,” he announced loud enough for the entire kitchen to hear. “Even the wet ones.”
My face flamed with embarrassment as he tossed a wink at me and left.
I could hear the murmured voices as the kitchen buzzed around me. I turned and caught everyone’s attention as they stopped what they were doing and froze.
“Alright, the fun is over. We have work to do. Get those plates over to the expo now. We’re about to be in the weeds here. Let’s go!”
I walked through the kitchen, checking the different stations and making sure that everything was on track.
Miles had stirred everything up and created a vibe in here that left everyone buzzing with excitement—even me—though I hated to admit it.
If we wanted a successful night, I needed to get everyone refocused.
“Chef, the guest at table nineteen sent their sirloin back,” Emily said as she showed me the returned plate. I peeked at the cut mark in the steak and noticed it was rare.
I grabbed the ticket from the rail and checked it.
“Javier, the sirloin for table nineteen was supposed to be well done, and this was sent out rare. We need to flash it on the fly.” I took the plate from Emily and passed it back to Javier.
“Sorry, Chef.”
I nodded and continued checking trays as they were brought to me. Soon, I felt back in the groove and forgot about the frenzy Miles Sexton had caused with his flirty banter. I’d known him ever since he parked his obnoxiously big food truck right outside two months ago and never moved.
Once it started to slow down, Jamie joined me at the front of the kitchen and watched the staff as they bustled about, finishing up the last few orders of the night.
“So, are you going to give in and let Miles take you out on a date?” she asked, looking up at me.
I frowned and shook my head.
“Why not? He’s soooo hot.”
“Then you date him.”
“Helllooo, I’m married.” She held her hand up and wiggled her fingers in front of me, showing me the simple gold band she wore to work.
“Well then, consider yourself lucky. Miles is a total player and is just looking to get laid.”
“Sorry for being blunt, but I wouldn’t say no to that,” she laughed and shrugged before pushing off the counter to go talk with the server before they delivered their order.
I knew Miles’ kind and could recognize what he wanted a mile away because I had been engaged to a guy just like him. That’s why I made it my mission to avoid him every chance I got.