Chapter 2 #2
Myles turned and flipped off the man who had spoken.
Jay was a few years older than Myles but since it was a small town they’d known of one another all their lives.
They’d never run in the same circles until Jay started working at The Mont but they’d become fast friends.
Jay was probably his closest friend actually, if he didn’t count Dave and since the old man had retired and moved to be closer to his grandkids he didn’t check on Myles as often as he used to.
So it wasn’t a surprise to Myles that it was his friend who spoke up to give him a hard time now considering ten minutes ago Jay had told him it was a bad idea to take the dessert plate out there himself.
“Told you.” Jay only shook his head as Myles focused on wiping his apron off with the rag Kim had given him.
“You couldn’t have known she’d jump up from the table and run into me so don’t even.” He grumbled.
“You’re right. I had my money on her throwing the plate at your head but…” Jay grinned when Myles glared at him. “It wasn’t going to go well either way, that’s all I’m saying.”
“No. Please. Continue to tell me how dumb I am. It’s really useful coming from my perpetually single best friend.”
“Ouch.” Jay pretended to be wounded, “You’re really upset, huh?”
“I’m fine.”
“No man, you’re not.” Jay lowered his voice, “You look like someone just ran over your puppy and I got to say, you need to get a grip.”
“Thanks.” Myles deadpanned but Jay put a hand on his shoulder.
“Whatever sort of reunion you had planned in that pretty little head of yours, you have to let it go now. It’s done.
You saw her. She saw you. She knows you took her dream job and she’s pissed and probably a little bit hurt but you know what?
You didn’t steal this job from her, man.
She left and you worked your ass off for it.
Now remember who the hell you are and tell everybody to get back to work, Chef. ”
Myles felt his lips twitch a little when his friend finished his little speech with his title.
Jay only ever called him Chef as a playful insult or when given a chance to belittle him.
He was good at lightening the mood during a stressful shift but what he said was also true.
Myles had worked hard to earn his position as head chef.
He hadn’t been handed the job and he certainly hadn’t stolen it.
This was his kitchen and right now he felt like a fool for going out front and causing a scene but they still had time on the clock and a lot to do before they could call it a night.
He needed to get his head back on straight and focus.
Jay raised an eyebrow, “You good?”
“I’m good.” He nodded. “Thanks.”
“Always here when you need a kick in the ass.” Jay shoved him a little and headed back towards his station.
“Okay everyone, we’ve all had a good laugh at my expense. Now stop lolly-gagging and get back to work.” He raised his voice, “Diego’s cleaning up the mess. Jay, take a second tray of the tarts out to Table One. Nikki, Table Nine is still waiting on their pie. Get it going team.”
The hustle and clatter he was accustomed to began to grow in pitch and Myles forced himself to take a deep breath and let it out slowly.
Jay was right. Things with Lily hadn’t gone well but he’d known they wouldn’t.
All he could do now was his job and, if he was lucky, he might get the chance to see her again before she left town so he could try explaining himself to her.
“Myles.” A pretty brunette in all black called his name from the back hallway and he frowned when he saw she was holding the old rotary phone that still hung on the wall. Lisa did the books for them and she must have heard it ringing and came out of the office to grab it. “You got a call.”
It was rare for anyone to call the landline in the back.
Customer calls went to the front of the house and the employees all had cell phones and one another's numbers.
Vendors knew better than to call during the dinner shift when they were at their busiest. He headed towards the back to take the phone with a knot of dread already forming in his stomach.
As if he needed anything else to go wrong and cap off this night…
He took the handset from Lisa who only shrugged before going back into her office as he lifted it and put it to his ear.
“This is Myles Calhoun.”
“Good evening Mr. Calhoun.” A sweet voice came down the line. “This is Amanda with Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. I’m calling because there’s been an accident and I have a couple of patients here who need to speak with you.”
Myles held his breath as he listened and then, as the story was relayed to him, he slowly leaned his forehead against the exposed brick wall and banged it softly but repeatedly.
Because the feeling in the pit of his stomach had been right.
It was bad news and since he was the one in charge, he’d have to figure it out…
on the busiest night of the entire year.