Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Sullivan had them gather outside Le Point Idéal, waiting for Keaton and Layne, and Mila said, “I can’t believe Ty is the chef here.”
Zane joined them, looking dashing in a dark suit. “We’re incredibly lucky to have landed Tyler Chastain, not only to act as head chef for our most important restaurant, but to head our food and beverage program.”
“You eating with us tonight?” Sullivan asked.
“I thought I would if you don’t mind. Gran has been stuffing me like one of her green peppers. I need to lay off the Southern cooking for a few days.”
“Are you staying here?” Piper asked. “Or with your grandparents?”
“I stayed in town for a few days and then started spending nights here. I’m trying out different types of rooms, plus the bungalows. I still make time to go into town every day, though, and stop by the diner.”
“They’ve missed you,” he said. “My advice? See them as often as you can. You never know when the day will come that they aren’t here any longer.”
He felt Piper’s fingers close about his, squeezing lightly.
“Sorry we’re late,” Layne said. “My zipper got stuck. Wouldn’t go up or down.”
“I zipped too fast,” Keaton admitted. “It got off-track.” He looked to Zane. “But thanks to your staff, they sent a seamstress right up. I stepped aside, so I don’t know what magic she worked, but the zipper is fine—and my gorgeous wife looks amazing in this dress.”
Layne gave a little twirl. “It’s one I got at a little boutique in Paris. Not a name place, just a Parisien mom-and-pop type shop. And look—it’s got pockets!”
As Piper and Mila exclaimed over that fact, the men simply shook their heads, with Carson saying, “Every female teacher at school raves over anything with pockets. And if they have a dress on sale with pockets, watch out.”
“Let’s go inside,” Zane suggested.
They entered, and Sullivan saw that half a dozen tables had guests at them.
“Who are all these people?” Piper whispered as the ma?tre d’ seated them, handing each of them menus. “I don’t recognize anyone.”
“Wagner Enterprises brings in others in the industry, as well as locals,” he replied. “Some of these people might be travel writers. Restaurant critics. That kind of thing.”
“Maybe I should see if Zane will put Don on his list,” she said.
“Don? Don Roberts is your brother?” Zane said, apparently overhearing their conversation.
“Yes, I mentioned him to you before.”
“But not by name,” Zane said. “Don Roberts is one of the best in the business. Highly respected. I follow his travel blog.”
“So do I,” Piper said. “When he posts an article I enjoy, I email him about it. We haven’t seen each other in years and years, though. He’s always traveling for work, and I was on the road for ten years.”
“I know he specializes in reviewing Asian properties. Maybe you should fly out and see him when one of our new properties opens,” Zane said. “We’re launching a hotel and resort in Bangkok in late October. If you agreed to come, I’m sure he’d meet you there and give us one of his famous critiques.”
“You mean scathing critiques?” Piper said, biting back a smile. “My brother has always been opinionated. He doesn’t hold back.”
“That’s why his input would be so valuable. Even earlier than the opening would be nice. If you’d like, I can get you a seat on the corporate jet.”
Sullivan saw her flush. “No, thanks, Zane. By then, I’m hoping to be gainfully employed, working somewhere other than the Bay Breeze. I can’t just drop everything and take off for a week in Thailand.”
His friend frowned, Piper’s reply obviously surprising him. “If you change your mind, let Sullivan know.”
He wanted to say that he doubted Piper and he would be in touch once he left Texas, but Sullivan kept quiet.
A staff member appeared and asked if they would like still or sparkling water, pouring everyone at the table their preference. Then the sommelier arrived, introducing himself and made suggestions regarding the wine list. He remained while the server came and explained the day’s specials.
“Give us a few minutes,” Zane said, and like magic, everyone disappeared.
Sullivan perused the menu, trying to decide what to order.
“Good evening, friends,” a voice said, and he looked up, seeing Tyler Chastain at the table in his chef’s whites.
“Ty!” both Layne and Mila cried, standing and giving the chef hugs, making Sullivan ashamed at how he’d been jealous of Piper doing the same.
The pair introduced their husbands to the chef.
“Obviously, you’re someone from the Bay,” Carson said.
“I am. Tyler Chastain. I was a year ahead of these three gals. Left the US for cooking school in Paris, but I’ve finally made my way home. I wanted to see if you had any questions about the menu at Le Point Idéal.”
“Exactly what is continental cuisine?” Piper asked.
“It’s a pretty broad term,” the chef said.
“Encompassing culinary traditions from mostly Northern and Western Europe, especially Spain, France, Italy, Germany, and Greece. A heavy focus on herbs and sauces and proteins—chicken, pork, beef, and seafood. Instead of spicy, think more refined. More subtle flavors, especially layers of herbs.” He chuckled.
“And it leans into rich ingredients. Butter. Cream. Cheese. Olive oils. I won’t get into the structure because I don’t want to sound like I’m teaching a class.
Just look at the menu and go with your gut.
If you don’t like what you order, we’ll replace it with something you will. ”
“That was helpful,” Mila said. She looked to Layne. “I’m sure you ate continental in Dallas all the time.”
“I did enjoy fine dining,” Layne agreed. She smiled at her husband. “These days, I appreciate whatever my husband decides to cook for dinner.”
Tyler brightened. “You cook?”
“The basics. Nothing fancy. Carson here grills a mean steak.”
“Oh, Ty, you’ll have to come to one of our cookouts,” Mila said. “Where are you living?”
“I’ve got an apartment not far from the ferry. I’m pretty tied up here, though. People need their three meals, plus all kinds of snacks and goodies spaced throughout the day.”
Mila frowned. “Don’t you get days off?” She looked to Zane.
“I do,” Tyler replied. “But weekends will be our busiest time, and that’s when most of you are off.”
“I’m not letting you off the hook,” Mila said, looking stubborn.
“We’ll work something out. For now, let me cook for you.”
“Do you recommend anything special, Ty?” Piper asked.
The chef grinned. “I make a mean coq au vin and ratatouille, but order what you want. I’ll be waiting for those orders in the kitchen.”
They each studied the menu and made their selections, the server returning to record them and forward their choices to the kitchen. Sullivan went with a seafood risotto.
“What are you getting for your main course?” he asked Piper.
“The coq au vin. Not just because Ty suggested it. I mean, reading this description makes my mouth water. Chicken slowly braised in red wine, cooked with onions, mushrooms, and bacon. What’s not to like?”
When their salads and soups arrived, an amazing assortment of breads accompanied them. Sullivan had a weakness for bread, but thanks to running, he usually could eat whatever he wanted.
“Maybe I need to learn how to bake bread,” Piper said, slathering butter on a slice of sourdough bread and biting into it. “This is heavenly.”
“Wagner hotels and resorts are known for their food,” Zane said proudly.
“Well, I’m certainly giving them high marks for this meal,” Keaton said.
Everyone raved once their entrées arrived, with plates being passed around so others could taste things they hadn’t ordered. He exchanged glances with Zane and shrugged.
“The Bay has their way of doing things,” he told his friend. “Everyone here is very relaxed. It’s one of the things I liked about the place and why I wanted to stay a while. Don’t you get tired of the rat race in New York? All the traveling you do?” he pressed.
“I’m usually too busy to think about it,” Zane told him. “When are you leaving? Dad was asking me when you’d be back in the office. He wants to see your early drawings for the Vancouver job.”
“I fly out Monday morning,” Sullivan replied, the pit of his stomach heavy at the thought. “I’ll be back in the office on Tuesday. I want a day just to acclimate myself again. Send out laundry. Order some groceries.”
“I’ll stay just past the opening here. Fourth of July is a big thing in the Bay. I promised Gran I’d stay through it, then I’ll join you in New York.” Zane paused. “How is Piper taking things?”
“We’re totally ignoring that elephant in the room. Haven’t mentioned it at all. We’re going to enjoy Tidewater together. I need to get back to the conversation.” Sullivan turned, looking at Piper sampling a bite of something. Her eyes lit up.
“This is incredible. I should’ve ordered it instead.”
“You can get it here tomorrow,” he told her.
“No, we need to try out the other restaurants. But I’m definitely going to ask Ty for the recipe—to give to Keaton.” She grinned, causing everyone to laugh.
Their chef returned to the table as they were finishing. “I know you’re going to be providing formal feedback, but any tips for me now?”
“Yes,” Piper said. “Leave Tidewater and open a restaurant in the Bay. I doubt any of us will ever be able to come here again, Ty, and I know how proud the residents of the Bay are of you, especially your parents.” She looked at Zane apologetically.
“Sorry, Zane. I don’t mean to be putting ideas into your head guy’s mind. ”
“If Tyler tries to leave, I’ll just have to pay him more to stay,” Zane said smoothly.
Even though he knew his friend was only teasing, what Zane said didn’t sit well with Sullivan. Money didn’t solve everything. Well, maybe it did in the world Zane and he inhabited, but Sullivan had been exposed to a different world during his time on the Texas coast.
“Shall we order desserts?” Zane asked, which quickly got the women’s attention.
He and Piper wound up splitting some tiramisu since they both were getting full. Just a few bites of the sweet was enough for him. By now, Sullivan was ready to go back to their suite and make love to Piper.
Zane had other ideas. “Why don’t we all go for a nightcap to the club? We’ve hired the talent, but they haven’t reported yet. We can at least check out the drink selection, and I can ask for opinions regarding the décor.”
“Piper could sing for us,” he said.
“No, Sullivan,” she immediately responded. “No way.”
“Why not?” Mila asked, her hands resting atop her bump. “I haven’t heard you sing in years, and I know Carson would like to hear you.”
“I second that,” Layne said. “Come on, Piper, it’ll be fun.”
“Maybe we all should just karaoke,” Piper said.
“After you sing for us,” Sullivan said. “Please? I’d like to hear you one last time.”
He could tell his words got to her. “All right.”
They left the table, the last in the restaurant to do so, and headed up a floor to the club which would be a hive of activity every night.
While everyone settled themselves at several of the small tables, Piper went to the piano.
Zane followed her, asking her to use the microphone so he could hear the acoustics in the club.
Sullivan wondered what she would sing for them, and it didn’t surprise him when she began playing one of the songs they had all sung at her parents’ house that night he’d gone to dinner there.
The room filled with her rich contralto as she sang a poignant version of Over the Rainbow, giving him chills.
“She’s…really good,” Zane said, looking surprised.
“No. She’s fucking great,” he responded.
Piper sang numbers from A Chorus Line. Phantom of the Opera. Rent. Then she did an electrifying version of Defying Gravity, causing the hairs to stand up on the back of his neck.
As their friends applauded, Zane asked, “Why on earth is Piper wasting her time in Driftwood Bay? She could be starring on Broadway.”
“Thank you, everyone,” Piper said. “Now, let’s do a sing-along. A favorite of everyone.”
She hit a few notes on the piano and then sang the first line from the Backstreet Boys’ I Want it That Way. It was a song they all knew, and they became her backup singers, letting Piper be the star of the song.
When she finished, she stood and came straight to him. Sullivan took her in his arms and gave her a long kiss, listening to the catcalls from their friends. He broke the kiss and looked at them.
“This talented lady and I have a date,” he declared. “We’re leaving the party now.”
“Wait a sec,” Zane said. “Piper, I’ve heard you’ll only be managing the Bay Breeze until the end of summer. If you’re interested, you can be the headliner at Tidewater—or any other Wagner property you want.”