Chapter 16
CHAPTER
SIXTEEN
Rob
On Monday, I kick-started Restaurant Days with a board meeting.
Frowning, I glanced around the table. I’d lost my train of thought.
Again . Everyone in the boardroom was giving me strange looks, because this was very unlike me.
I didn’t lose focus, didn’t forget what I was talking about while talking.
I was known for my sharpness and shrewdness.
I had to stop rehashing the weekend in my mind, incredible as it had been.
Skye was occupying my every thought. Usually, I had no problems leaving my personal life at the door before stepping into the office.
But things were changing—I had to pull myself together before I made an ass out of myself in front of everyone.
I didn’t want to lose credibility in front of the team.
Once again, I’d gathered management as well as chefs and sous-chefs to discuss the week and our goals for the event.
“I’ll be making the rounds at the different restaurants in New York these two weeks,” I said.
“My schedule will be sent to all of you so you can keep track of me. Keep an eye on the ones where I’m not, make sure everything runs smoothly—that means that the critics are pleased, but more importantly, that customers are happy. Got it?”
Quite frankly, I didn’t care much about critics.
They’d always find something to criticize, but customers were our bread and butter.
When they thought about their favorite restaurant where they were guaranteed delicious food and a great time, I wanted them to visualize one of ours .
Restaurant Days always took place at the end of July.
It was a staple in the city’s life, and I wanted everyone to remember that we were the best.
“Do you want the chefs to stay behind the scenes or also mingle with the customers?” Tatiana asked.
She was the chef of our largest restaurant and had been with the company for as long as I had.
She’d even been in LA for a year but then came back here, declaring she was too much of a New Yorker to be able to withstand the LA scene.
She’d also been the one to blow the whistle on Walter when she’d caught him banging another chef.
“Play it by ear. Tell the staff to feel out the mood.”
“Got it.”
“Okay, that’s a wrap, everyone,” I declared.
There was a screeching sound as everyone pushed their chairs back. I arranged a dislodged cuff link as everyone filtered out.
Well, I’d saved that well. Sure enough, my brain had already switched to replaying the weekend. I chuckled at myself. I was addicted to Skye.
“What’s got you so chirpy today?” Tatiana asked. I hadn’t realized she’d lingered.
“Mind your own business.” I was only semi-serious.
“I will, as soon as you tell me what’s got you so upbeat.”
I glared at her.
“Who is she?”
“Who said it’s a woman?” I asked, utterly perplexed.
“Call it sixth sense, intuition, whatever.” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her smile fading. “How is Anne?”
That was the real reason she’d stayed back.
“Moving on.”
“Sometimes I wonder if I did the right thing.”
“You did,” I assured her.
“But she’s avoiding me… I think. She’s my friend, and I just don’t know how to reach out to her after all that’s happened.”
“Tatiana, give her a bit of time. She doesn’t blame you.”
“She avoids me.”
“She’s in France now. I’m sure she’ll have moved on even more once she and Lindsay get back.”
They’d gone to high school together, and their friendship went way back.
I was sure my sister was grateful to Tatiana, but I could also understand why she wouldn’t want her close right now.
I believed the don’t kill the messenger saying, but I didn’t think it was that black and white.
Tatiana was a reminder of everything that went down, and that was something Anne didn’t need right now.
“Okay, well… whenever she’s ready, or if she needs anything, I’m here for her.”
“I’ll let her know.”
“Thanks. Oh, and don’t think I forgot about your mystery woman. I’ll get it out of you eventually.”
“Tatiana! Work. Now.” I couldn’t help but smile though, and it was all Skye’s fault.
“I’m going. I’m going.”
I surveyed my agenda for the next two weeks, thankful to my assistant for making reservations at a hotel for me in Manhattan. My days started at six o’ clock, and from previous experience I knew they’d last until past midnight.
I didn’t like that I wasn’t going to see much of Skye for the next two weeks. I wanted her to know that I was constantly thinking about her. Would she relax on her own, without me there?
We’d had a fantastic time together, and I didn’t want her to forget it. I just had to make sure I was front and center in her mind for the following weeks.