Page 7 of Tall, Dark, & Ginger

I’m focused on Ridley now, noting the nuisances in his expression and trying to detect if anything Florian and Salem said is true, but I got nothing. He’s not looking at me any differently than the other guys.

“We might want to revisit the kitchen staffing too,” Ridley says. “I know you like to be here, but you’re gonna burn out. I read an article that said it’s super common with executive chefs.” He glances at Salem. “Trying to learn more about the industry.”

“Mm-hmm,” Salem says, grinning and wiggling his eyebrows.

Ridley shoves his arm in response. Is that a sign?

“Wren?”

I blink. “Yeah, Ridley?”

“Did you hear me?”

I nod. “Carlos isn’t ready to take over some of my duties yet. Plus he has the new baby at home.”

“What about Teddy?” Salem asks. “The guy who interviewed with you? I follow him on social and I get the sense he’d be up for a change.”

“To work under me when he applied for the same exec. position?”

“You never know.” Salem shrugs. “He seems pretty cool and took the defeat well.”

“Your call,” Ridley says. “It’s your kitchen, but you should think about it.”

“I will.”

Ridley nods, scratching his bicep before dragging a hand through his currently blue hair. It hangs in his face a little, adding to the younger-than-forty-one vibes. He focuses on my drink.

“Whatcha drinking?”

“I don’t know. I told Flor to fuck me up and he did.” I push the glass toward him. “Wanna taste?”

“Hell yeah.” He grabs it, takes a drink, then sputters, pulling his head back. “Jesus. What the fuck is in that?”

“Secret recipe.” Florian appears next to us with a grin. “After one of those you’ll be feeling no pain.”

“Until the morning when you can’t get out of bed,” Ridley quips.

“Just one,” Florian says. “I wouldn’t serve more than that to the same person.”

I take the glass and drink half of it, flinching as it burns a path through me. “I need to sleep when I get home.”

“Having trouble?” Ridley asks.

“Yeah. Insomnia is a bitch. I try to be quiet so I don’t wake anyone up, but I’m awake most nights.”

“I’m in the living room a lot if you ever come down. I don’t always sleep through the night either, and I like the big screen better.”

“Oh, really?”

“The house is big enough that the TV doesn’t disturb anyone. You didn’t even know.”

“True. Maybe I’ll try that next time I can’t sleep.”

Ridley nods, claps his hand on my arm, then turns and heads out to the patio to check on customers. I’ve got a pretty good read on most people, so if Ridley likes me, he’s damn good at hiding it. I didn’t detect even a sliver of interest from him. I think Salem and Florian are teasing me or confused. Maybe Ridley had some interest at one point, but he clearly doesn’t anymore.

Which is good. It would just complicate things and muddy the waters. I nod, convincing myself that it’s way better if Ridley isn’t into me. We can keep it strictly boss and employee and I can figure out how to pick my life up off the ground without distractions.

I just wish I didn’t feel so damn disappointed now.

---