Page 10 of The Problem with Dating

I didn’t know picking up on a minor trait from Tatiana could oddly bring me comfort. It was almost as if Teresa was shining through her.

Tatiana continued. “The problem is this town is afraid of new things. Not their fault. Growing up in a small town meant you grew up with traditions. There’s nothing wrong with that. Best believe I love me a good tradition, and Honey Creek is soaked in them. But I think the best things in life come from intermixing traditions and new creations. If God wanted us to remain the same, he would’ve never made us so different. I think that’s why we’re supposed to mix these things; to create something even more special. Besides, every tradition was once something new. So I can help you with the small-town people. I can help get them comfortable with you being here, and before you know it,bam! Dinner at Isla Iberia on Saturday nights will be their new tradition.”

“How do you do that? And why do you believe you’re the right person for this job?”

“I can get people in town to enter the restaurant if they see me smiling at the hostess desk. But also I spent twenty-some years working at the best five-star restaurants in Chicago. You have my résumé. You see my stats.”

“I do.”

“So no one else is better for this position. I’m talented, gifted, and a bridge from your big-city self to the small-town folks here. Sure, you can get others from out of town to come here, and they will. I’ve eaten plenty of food at your restaurant in Chicago before. You’re beyond gifted at your craft, chef.”

“I appreciate that compliment.”

“I’m not here to flatter you, only to speak truth. So…” Tatiana held her hand out toward me. “When do I start?”

I hired her right there on the spot.

After all the tasks for the day, I headed outside and stared at the building in front of me. “There ya go, Teresa,” I muttered to myself. My employees would come in for more training in a few days, and then we’d be up and running.

An overwhelming amount of guilt fell over me as I stood in front of the building. I took too long to get it together. The place should’ve opened months ago.

Teresa wouldn’t even get to try the menu I crafted with her over a year ago. It was because of her that I combined Caribbean and Spanish cuisines. I would’ve never opened a fusion restaurant without her guidance.

Still, I knew she’d be proud of it. I knew it would mean a lot to her, even if it meant nothing to me.

“You got a minute to chat, Chef?” someone said behind me.

I looked over my shoulder to find someone I did not expect to see standing behind me. “You’re Nathan Pierce,” I blurted out, stunned to see a professional baseball player.

His dark brown hair was cut with a fade, and he hovered a few inches over me. Even though Nathan wasn’t as built as he used to be when he played in the Major Leagues, it was clear he was in good shape, which was shocking after the articles I saw swirling about him over the past few years. Last I heard, he was passed out on the strip in Vegas. That was years ago, though. Not much had been said about him after that. He pretty much went ghost for years afterward.

And there he was, standing in the middle of nowhere Honey Creek, looking at me. Holding a huge box of produce in his hands.

“That’s me, and you’re Alex Ramírez.”

“News travels fast in small towns.”

He nodded. “Sure does.”

“Yeah. Wow. I’m a big fan. Not that I wouldn’t love to chat, but I have to get back to work,” I said as I started toward the building.

“Hold up. I need a word with you,” Nathan stated.

“With me?”

“Yeah. I spoke with Tatiana not long ago.”

I narrowed my eyes, confused. “About?”

“I moved back to town to help with my family’s farm. Rumor mills were running around about an uppity restaurant in my old stomping grounds. I had to see it for myself.”

“You’re from this hellscape?”

Nathan smirked with a chuckle. “Born and raised. They even named the baseball diamond Pierce Field after me. I got a feeling they have regrets about that choice. Anyway, like I said. We need to talk.”

“About?”

He gestured with his head toward the box he held. “Honey Farms. My family’s pride and joy. We want to partner with your restaurant and provide the produce and livestock for you and your team.”

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