Chapter 22
SUTTON
I’ve done this thousands of times. Setting up the kitchen before service is nothing new to me. I’ve been cooking for years, and I still love it. The reason I know it’s love? Because I still get the perfect, little rush right before we open.
Standing at the tasting counter in the restaurant tonight is no different, except I might be a bit more on edge because of one extra person working tonight.
I look at my waitstaff after running through the daily specials. “So that’s it. Let’s have some fun tonight.”
“Yes, Chef.” They turn and head to their stations, leaving me, Devyn, Rich, and Kelsey behind the counter. I’m still mad at myself for how I left the other night, but that doesn’t mean I’m still not hurt that she called me a tourist.
I do my best not to stare at Kelsey because she’s wearing a dress that I know I’ve never seen her in before.
She definitely hasn’t worn that at Cowgirl Coffee or when making deliveries.
The black denim dress stops just above her knees.
The v-neckline teases just enough of her breasts before it plunges into the button down front.
I decide to give myself three seconds to imagine what it would sound like if I ripped it off her.
One. I’d hear the tearing of thread.
Two. I’d hear her gasp at suddenly being exposed to me.
Three. I’d hear the buttons hit the old wooden floor, filling the silence while we stare into each other’s eyes.
After enjoying my three seconds, I look away and focus on the night.
It might be a Wednesday evening, but Jackson's summer tourism season is in full effect. So I know we’re going to be busy tonight with multiple full turns.
“Any special occasions, Devyn?” I turn to my hostess and see her laser focused on her tablet.
She might have started as a hostess, but she’s part of the glue that holds a place like Gloria’s together.
She’s so damn good at her job that I plan to make her my general manager as soon as Slade gives me the OK—something I’ve been doing recently since the last one went to work directly for Slade in Denver.
She nods. “One couple at the tasting counter. It’s their fortieth anniversary.”
“The couple from Cincinnati?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
I always check our reservation list the day before, in case there’s any dietary restrictions or a celebration or someone I should be aware of.
If there’s a way I can make their night even better, I’m going to do everything I can to make it happen.
She looks down at her tablet again and nods. “Yep. That would be them.”
“Any special requests?”
She shakes her head and I turn to Rich. “Make sure they get champagne with their second dessert.”
He nods, but gives me a questioning look. “Second dessert?”
“Yep. You’ll know what’s going on when you see it. Just leave the rest to me.”
The couple sitting at my tasting counter reminds me why I live for this.
Celebrating almost half a century together is special and I’m honored that they wanted to do it at my restaurant.
Over the last two hours of working through the six-course tasting menu, I’m positive I’ve learned their life story.
John was a lifelong firefighter and Maddy was a school teacher.
They were high school sweethearts and everything about them screams the All-American couple.
What I really love about them is their lust for travel and visiting National Parks. Apparently, they’ve been to Jackson almost a half dozen times on their trips to Yellowstone and Teton National Parks.
“I’m surprised I haven’t seen you two before. It sounds like you’re quite the regulars in Jackson.” I smile at them as Maddy takes the last bite of their dessert, a blueberry and chocolate chip bread pudding with a bourbon glaze.
“First, that was absolutely delicious.” She gives me a wide smile and dabs the corner of her mouth with her napkin. I note the look she gives her husband, who nods back at her as he finishes a bite. “But it’s been a few years since we’ve been to Jackson. I don’t think this place was here.”
“I wish it was. This is the best meal I can remember and we’ve had our fair share of great ones.” John pats his stomach and I chuckle.
“I appreciate that. You’re in luck though. It’s not over. May I?” I gesture toward their empty plates and they both nod. I reach out and grab them. “I’ll be right back with a little surprise.”
I toss them each a wink before heading to the bussing station. When I turn, I nearly bump right into Kelsey. I step to the side just in time to avoid dropping the dishes.
“Oh, sorry.” She gives me an apologetic look.
I grin. “I think you’re supposed to say ‘behind’.”
“OK, Chef.” She rolls her eyes and I know she’s messing with me, but I don’t care because I’m close enough to her that I can just catch a whiff her coffee and honey scent that I’m obsessed with, and desperate to taste again.
Why did I agree to this? I’ve had Kelsey in my fucking restaurant all night, just feet away. Even though I’ve been focused on the diners at my counter, I’ve still felt her eyes on me all night.
Have I been playing up my charm hoping she’d notice? Hell yes, even though that’s easy because I love making people feel at home here.
Have I also been noticing her every move? Yes. I’ve clocked every little thing she’s done tonight, from making cocktails like she’s been behind our bar for years to helping the bussers even though she does’t need to.
On more than one occasion, she’s passed behind me or been next to me. Every time she bumped elbows with me or grazed me with her hip, I definitely noticed. Every nerve in my body noticed.
Yes, she’s been the sexy, impossible to miss shadow on the edges of my periphery all night.
I’ve enjoyed every second of it even if it’s been a bit distracting.
Even when she brushed her ass against me and my dick was hard before I knew it.
I had to go to the restroom to adjust myself in my jeans but it was worth it to be that close to her.
With the way she’s looking up at me now, I’m seconds away from being back in that position. Thankfully, I have a couple to serve and I know just who I want to help me with my surprise.
“Actually, I need your help. One sec.” I hold a finger up and she looks back at me, pursing her lips and tilting her head to the side.
“OK?” She draws out the last syllable, still wearing the same confused look.
“Just get two glasses of Champagne, and I mean actual French Champagne. I’ll be right back.”
I head back to the dessert station and grab one oversized slice of my favorite dessert on our menu—black raspberry pie, just like my grandma used to make.
Every detail down to the flaky buttery crust and Oregon-grown berries are nods to Gloria.
She would top it off with store-bought vanilla ice cream, but I like to add my own flair with fresh-made gelato. Tonight, I took it a step further.
I emerge from the kitchen to find Kelsey standing in my usual spot at the tasting counter, a generous glass of bubbles in each hand. John and Maddy are still at their stools and it’s impossible to miss their smiles when I come back with the large slice of pie.
“That looks amazing.” Maddy says when I set down the plate in front of me.
I click my tongue. “Ah, but you see I have a sweet tooth and I wouldn’t be a good host if I didn’t serve it the way I’d prepare it for myself.”
Reaching down into the freezer below the counter, I grab the special pint of gelato.
“One good thing about having a sweet tooth as bad as mine is that I never forget a dessert. Marionberry pie in Oregon. Huckleberry slump in Washington. Strawberry cheesecake in New York.”
“I’m beginning to notice a theme here,” Kelsey says with a little smirk that I wish I could take a picture of to save forever.
“Kelsey here is new to Gloria’s, but as you can see, she’s a quick learner.
I’m hoping she sticks around for a while.
” I wink at her before continuing with my finishing touch on the dessert.
“One summer vacation as a kid, my parents loaded me, my two brothers, and my little sister into our minivan and drove us across the country. We stopped at parks, museums, everything all on the way to the east coast. But there was one stop we made that might have ruined ice cream for me forever.”
I set the gelato pint on the counter and pop off the lid. “Who would have expected Cincinnati to have the most delicious ice cream? To this day, I still crave that famous black raspberry chip.”
I take one large scoop from the pint and place it on top of the pie. It looks just as good as I hoped. And I know it tastes even better.
Did I sample it last night when I made this special batch of gelato? Yes.
And did I have to make a second pint because I ate too much of the first? Also yes.
“Normally, we just make black raspberry gelato but I figured I’d try my hand at making a version with chocolate chips, just for the two of you.”
I set the dish in front of them and their eyes widen.
I peek over at Kelsey and her expression is exactly why I do this.
Her eyes light up and her lips pull back into a rare toothy smile.
She finally makes eye contact with me and I tip my chin to the glasses still in her hands.
Recognition sinks in, and she follows my lead.
“Congratulations on forty years.” She sets the glasses down in front of them.
I rasp my knuckles on the counter. “Just let me know if you need anything else.”
I walk just far enough away to give them some privacy while they enjoy the rest of their night. Kelsey joins at my side, behind the bar.
“Thanks for helping. I think that went well.” I pour myself a glass of water and take a drink.
“You think?” Kelsey says with a sarcastic huff and a sidelong glance. “You know damn well that you just made their night.”
I shrug nonchalantly but I don’t hide my pleased grin.
She still looks back at me with her arms folded over her chest. I shamelessly take in the way her arms prop up her perky tits to give a tasteful hint of cleavage.
In the back of my mind, I picture undoing the top button of that dress to reveal that tattoo I wish I could trace with my tongue.
I bury that thought for later and just keep grinning back at her.
“I know I did. I just wanted you to get to see me in all my Pretty-Boy-Chef majesty.”