Page 62 of Knockin' Boats
She chuckled. “No, it’s the premise that if someone is at the grocery store and there’s shelves of jam in all sorts of varieties, they can’t make a decision. They’ll sometimes not even buy it.”
“So you’re saying Sawyer was right,” I said. “My menu is too big.”
“You’re ambitious, Ash. And so talented. I’ve served a few things you brought in, and you’ve got a real talent for flavors. If you decide you want to move to a restaurant instead of a food boat, I’d snatch you up in a heartbeat.”
“That means a lot. I know I could learn so much from you.”
She patted my arm. “Thanks, sweetie. And I’m not saying Sawyer is right. I’m saying, take a look at this menu. Think about how you can make it easier for people to make the choices you want them to make. Maybe that’s a smaller daily menu, but you rotate more things in and out. Or maybe that’s putting them in terms your customers might better like. You’re out on the lake. Have some fun with it. This is Swallow Cove, after all. Half the places around here have corny names. Why not our menu items too?”
She hopped off the stool. “Whatever you do, just remember, you’re cooking for an audience now. When I was at the pub, I had to serve pub food—but I always found a way to put myself into it. You’ll figure out the same.”
Vera went back to work, leaving me pondering my menu. I would have much preferred she’d just told me exactly what to do, but that wasn’t how it worked when you launched your own business.
Vera couldn’t give me all the answers.
Neither could Sawyer, even if he tried.
She was right. I was the chef, and only I could decide what I wanted to serve.
I wasn’t here to sling burgers and tacos, but maybe Icouldfind a way to cook the food I wanted and make my customers eat it, too.
CHAPTER 15
Sawyer
The Rusty Hook pub was the most casual place in town to kick back with a beer—and a regular hangout for me and my friends the past few years.
Mostly because Brooks used to be the bar manager and worked so much it was practically the only time we could see him. Now? It was for nostalgia’s sake.
I spotted Cash by the bar, ordering a pitcher of beer for everyone—and buzzing around Declan like a bee in heat. Did bees go into heat? Well, if they did, Cash had it down.
I clomped across the rough-hewn wooden plank flooring and pulled out a seat at the old barrel that had been converted to a table. The decor here wasrustic,but it worked for us.
“Hey, sorry I’m late.” I dropped into the chair with a groan. “The lake is getting busier, so the food boat stayed out a little longer tonight.”
“That’s all right,” Skylar said, breaking off his conversation with Poppy. Those two had become close friends. “How’s it been working with Ash?”
“Hmm. Well…” I didn’t quite know how to answer that. “Weird?”
Brooks lifted an eyebrow. “Weird is better than terrible, I guess.”
I shifted and looked around the bar. “Uh, yeah. We’ve…figured out some anger management.”
“Just as long as you’re not throwing him into the lake,” Brooks said, only half joking.
I chuckled. “Uh no. I only did that once.”
“Dude, no way!” Fisher exclaimed.
“You didn’t!” Poppy added with wide eyes.
“Oh, he did,” Brooks said in a measured tone. “Sawyer wouldn’t just make that up.”
“Oh no,” Skylar murmured. “I set this up, thinking it would help. But perhaps I was too optimistic.”
“It’s fine, guys,” I said. “He needed to cool off.”
Fisher snorted with amusement. “Damn, man. Youreallydon’t like him, huh?”
