Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Kat
Two Weeks Later
“I need seven lobster tails, three shrimp scampi, and two sirloins medium,” I called out, hating how aggressive my voice sounded. Instead of the yes, Chef, I was used to hearing at Ambrosia, I got a lot of mumbled jargon and what I could swear was a handful of curse words.
I added the ticket to the rack and tried to steady my breathing. It was a Friday night, and the reservation list was long enough to keep us here until two in the morning by the time we caught up on the orders rushing in. I missed Ambrosia. I missed my old coworkers. I missed Miles.
My palms were sweating as I focused on everything happening around me. Alissa was off to the side, bossing people around without discussing anything with me first, which showed who she thought was in charge of this kitchen. I refused to let it bother me and tried to take the reins again.
“Where are the orders ready to go out?” I yelled out, raising my brows to the line of chefs in the back who were talking instead of focusing on cooking the food in front of them. “We don’t have time for chit-chat; let’s go!”
I turned to check the expo station when I noticed Luka lingering in the corner, watching everything with a frown and his lips pinched between his fingers.
Before I could obsess over what he was doing there and whether he was disappointed in my leadership, a server came flying through the kitchen doors with a tray of food and a scowl.
“What this time?” I asked, grabbing the ticket from her hand and examining the dishes.
“They’d like to know if the chef has cooked here before,” she replied snarkily as Luka joined us. “The steak is overcooked, the salad was supposed to be plain, lobster tail not cooked thoroughly, and the toddler decided that they don’t like chicken anymore.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose and closed my eyes.
Luka took the ticket from me and then barked orders at the kitchen staff, getting a collective yes, Chef from everyone in the room except me.
“May I see you in my office?” he asked quietly.
I looked at Alissa, ready to ask her to take over but found a smug smile already set on her face as she turned on her heel and started giving orders again.
I followed him down the long hallway and stepped inside. He closed the door behind us, walked around the mahogany L-shaped desk, and sat down. He nodded to the empty chair across from him, so I sat down and folded my hands in my lap.
“You’re not focused tonight,” he commented without empathy, just stating the facts.
“No sir.”
“Why’s that?”
I shrugged and leaned back against the plush chair.
“They don’t respect me. It’s been a hostile environment since I got here. I’ve given it weeks—months even, and nothing has changed. I knew it would be difficult for everyone to adjust to an outsider, but it shouldn’t take this long.”
He nodded and steepled his fingers in front of his face.
“I will call a staff meeting and address the issue,” he stated matter of factly as if that would just solve the problem.
I leaned forward, pulling all of the courage I had together.
“In all fairness, sir, I don’t think that’s necessary.”
He arched a brow in question.
“I’ve dreamed of studying under you my entire life.
Working at The Starling was something that I felt would somehow complete my life, but it’s actually had the opposite effect.
” I paused and looked around his office, which was neatly decorated with framed pictures of his restaurants and newspaper clippings that showcased his success.
“I’m miserable here. Nothing you say or do is going to change that.
I appreciate you giving me this opportunity, but I’m hereby resigning my position effective immediately. ”
I stood on wobbly legs and offered him the best smile I could muster. It felt good to walk away from something that didn’t bring me the happiness I wanted it to. I hadn’t thought this through, but I knew there was only one thing that would give me the joy I wanted. Or better yet, one person. Miles.
“I’m sorry that we’ve let you down, Ms. Elliott. You are a very talented chef, and I hope you find the happiness you’re looking for.”
“Thank you.”
I walked out of his office feeling lighter than I had since the moment I stepped off the plane and the Texas humidity sucked the life out of me. There was one place that I knew would bring back that spark of joy, and I was going to get there one way or another.