Chapter 18
CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN
“Ineed two orders of mofongo for table thirteen, please,” I called out while marking the table chart.
Gia was beside me labeling the other tables as orders came through the system.
My family was seated at table thirteen along with two camera operators.
Heat filled my cheeks when I remembered I was miked and a cameraman was discreetly filming me from the serving window.
Moments after my call out, mofongo appeared.
I took the saucers from Opal and exited the kitchen.
The clinking of dishes and sizzling from the stoves had been replaced with laughter and jazz music.
I whisked through the dining room, smiling at the patrons as I passed.
Just like the first serving, the second serving was packed.
The tasting room was just as busy, with people enjoying charcuterie and wine.
I didn’t know if it was word of mouth or the heavy traffic at opening, but we’d attracted more customers than we had tables.
Most walk-ins were fine sitting at the bar.
There were a few hiccups—servers dropping dishes, orders getting mixed up—but the team took everything in stride.
Raven’s eyes lit up as I neared the table.
She was the one who’d requested more for the table.
So far, my family had devoured every dish on the menu and two bottles of wine.
Having everyone together and enjoying my food was a dream come true.
I smiled at the remnants of our Sea Bass Bilbaína on the plate closest to me.
I picked it up and looked at Starling. His chiseled jawline was covered in stubble with sprinkles of gray.
I smiled, remembering when he had only a mustache.
The older he got, the more he looked like our mom, with her soft yet penetrating round eyes, full lips, and sienna colored skin.
When his eyes met mine, I took the chance to get his opinion on everything.
“What’d you think?”
My brother’s facial expression revealed nothing as he mulled over his reply. “I enjoyed it. Is there cubanelle in the sauce?”
Before I could answer, Raven interjected, “You should’ve seen the way he analyzed it.” Everyone laughed when she tilted her head to the side, squinted, and examined her fork. “Okay, Anthony Bourdain,” she teased.
Once everyone’s laughter subsided, I said, “Yes, there is cubanelle pepper in the sauce. It’s something Abuelita did on special occasions.”
My dad smiled at the mention of his mom. I wasn’t sure if everyone else knew she had added the pepper to her sauce. Her special recipes were one of the many things I cherished learning.
“For my tenth birthday, I asked her to make this exact dish.” Starling pointed at the plate, his eyebrows wrinkling. “The moment I tasted the sauce, I was transported back to her house, surrounded by balloons and music. I didn’t know you could cook. Good job, princesa.”
I punched his arm, earning a chuckle from him. “You know good and well I can cook better than you.”
That jab had my brother leaning forward. My parents watched with humored expressions. Raven chewed her food; her eyes bouncing between me and Starling. Sadé shook her head, impervious to our bickering.
“You’re silly.” He waved me off with a scoff.
“We can settle this now. Mom, Dad…. Whose food is better? Brie people were eating, laughing, and enjoying the atmosphere I curated.
Adrienne and people from my sommelier prep course were uncorking their third bottle of wine.
I smiled, taking pride in seeing my friends enjoying themselves.
When my gaze landed on Nadir, I sucked in a breath.
“I need to check on the rest of the guests.” Looking at the producers who were a few tables away, I gestured toward my mic. They nodded and called for their audio person to remove it. Cameras were down during the change, giving me a chance to exhale.
Starling stood and hugged me. “Seriously, the food is great and drinks too.”
“Aw, you couldn’t have said that on camera?”
“No,” he said plainly.
I laughed then squeezed him once more. Afterward, I stopped by the kitchen to see if Nadir’s table had anything in the queue.
As suspected, there were orders for sea bass, bacalaítos, and ceviche.
Once the dishes were ready, I carried them to their table.
Summer, Shiloh, Marquis, and Nadir smiled as I neared them.
Shiloh and Marquis sipped their signature cocktails while Summer enjoyed a mocktail.
Nadir whirled wine around his glass, earning a smile from me.
I appreciated him selecting the wine we paired with the ceviche.
After putting the plates down and clearing the old ones, I prepared to leave.
I wanted to stay and chat, but also needed to make sure the kitchen ran smoothly.
Gia did a great job of keeping the chart updated, but a few servers were struggling with efficiency.
Nadir’s hand on my wrist stopped my racing mind, and for a second, my heart too.
“You’re doing great, Goldie.”
I simpered. “Thanks, my darling.”
“And everything is so yummy. Can I get something to-go?” Summer’s request made me scowl.
“You can have anything you want, mama.”
She did a little dance that made everyone laugh.
“The fritters are so good, Robyn. Like I'm addicted to them already,” Shiloh told me while reaching for the dish. Marquis leaned forward, retrieving the plate for her. “Marq loves the sea bass,” she said before taking a bite.
Marq leaned back and rubbed his stomach. “That hint of spice was just enough to hit the spot. Taj is going to be pissed he missed out.”
Ryder and Taj couldn’t make it tonight on account of them working at the shop. I planned to give Summer enough food for them, but only the items I didn’t mind being reheated. Some dishes, like the sea bass, were best enjoyed fresh off the fire.
With my hand over my heart, I dipped my chin. “I’m so happy you all love the food. I hate to leave, but I need to check on the team.”
Shiloh motioned for me to go. “We didn’t mean to keep you.”
On my way back toward the kitchen, I caught up with Khalil and the rest of the team from The Gazette. He was mid-chew when I stopped by their table. A simple thumbs up from him was enough to satisfy me.
Back in the kitchen, Gia called out order numbers to check their status.
The timer in her hand ticked as she used her free hand to update the chart.
On top of the serving window was a monitor displaying orders.
I pulled off the new tickets, sliding them onto the chef’s station then washed my hands before jumping in the line to help.
Opal dropped another batch of fritters into the deep fryer while I seasoned and battered the next batch.
Carmen came into the kitchen carrying a tray of empty dishes. Our dishwashers worked tirelessly to keep dishes rinsed, cleaned, and arranged on the drying rack. After getting the food somewhat back on track, I went to check on my bartenders. Brea and Drew worked in tandem to clear our drink queue.
I stopped at the service area to retrieve the drinks that were ready.
Glancing at the ticket, I smiled after seeing my family’s table number.
Steadying a glass of wine and an Old Fashioned, I stalked toward them.
Without asking, I placed the red wine in front of my mom and handed the Old Fashioned to my dad.
They smiled, pleased with how well I knew their usuals.
One of my bar-backs was on my heels, taking the empty dishes I’d picked up on my way back to the kitchen. I exhaled once I returned to the service window. Opal tapped my shoulder then handed me a plate with a little of everything on it. She tipped her chin toward my office.
“Take a load off; we got it.”
My stomach growled as I looked at what she’d prepared for me.
I hadn’t eaten all day. This morning I was too wired to think about eating.
Since then, I’d been on the move. Having people like Opal in my corner meant a lot in moments like this.
She watched as I went into my office and shut the door.
I exhaled and reveled in the quiet of my office.
Taking a seat at my desk, I dug into my plate.
After a few satisfying bites, I checked my phone.
To my surprise, I had several messages. Most were from Raven; she’d taken pictures of me all night.
My smile dropped when I saw Joseph had texted me.
JOSEPH:
Sorry I couldn’t make it tonight. I look forward to stopping by once you officially open.
I was elated to know he wasn’t coming tonight.
He hadn’t crossed my mind since I left him that night.
With the opening occupying me, I didn’t have the time to really think about the bomb he’d dropped at dinner.
He had a whole baby on the way and was able to withhold that information for months.
I could never trust him again, not even as a friend.
Something in my gut told me I wouldn’t be seeing him anytime soon.
And I was fine with never seeing him again.
My phone pinged and the sender instantly changed my mood.
NADIR:
We’re about to head out. You shined tonight, Goldie. To say I’m proud of you would be an understatement. Call me later. I want to hear about your day.