Page 12 of The Chef's Kiss
“I don’t.”
“Then, you might want to take a step back and look where you are. Superiore Bay people aren’t the fancy sour polenta tart kind of people. We like apple pie and chocolate cake, with maybe the occasional plain old cheesecake. I do make an exceptional cheesecake if you’re interested in that.”
“This will be a fine dining restaurant. A destination stop for people from all over the New England area. The kind New Yorkers will flock to on their vacations from the city.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll find the right baker to help you with that. I’ll have to say no for now. I do fun and simple treats here. And people seem to love it.”
“Is that my favorite baker?” The doorbell jangled as a young woman walked in. She looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place her.
“Jorgie!” Jake grinned and hopped over his counter to wrap the newcomer up in a bear hug. “You’ve been away way too long.”
The woman squealed and threw her arms around Jake, her Hugga Mugga coffee cup clutched in her hand. But she wasn’t paying attention, and the cup flew out of her hand. Hot coffee splashed all down my front, scalding my face and ruining my suit.
“Watch what you’re doing.” I pulled my soaked shirt away from my skin, reaching for a pile of napkins on the counter.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. I’ll pay for your dry cleaning and get you a new shirt.” The girl grabbed a handful of napkins and tried to wipe the coffee splatters off my face.
“It’s all over my suede shoes.” I groaned, imagining how long it might be before I could afford to replace them.
“I’ll pay for them, I promise.”
“It’s okay, Jorgie, it was just an accident.” Jake took the soiled napkins from her. “No real harm done.”
“Tell that to my three-thousand dollar shoes.” I shrugged out of my jacket, hoping I could salvage it.
“Yikes.” The girl’s eyes widened in alarm.
“Yeah, they’re one of a kind. You couldn’t afford them or this suit you ruined.”
“All right, man.” Jake moved in front of the coffee-wielding-woman. “You made your point. Send me your dry cleaning bill and maybe rethink wearing shoes that cost more than most people make in a month, especially if they can be ruined with a little coffee.”
“Yeah, right, the coffee you don’t allow in your shop?” I tugged my tie loose and folded my coat over my arm. “Perhaps I’ll try one of the bakeries in Hidden Cove.” I turned and marched out of the stupid shop and snatched up my latte on the way out.
In my car again, I checked my messages and emails, hoping to see some new applications come through for the restaurant. Still nothing. Didn’t these people want to work around here? I’d never had this much trouble getting a restaurant up and running.
I threw my phone on the passenger seat and headed back to the bistro for an afternoon of therapeutic cooking in the kitchen all by myself.
5
JORGINA
Jake and I watched the man leave before both of us burst into a fit of laughter.
“I missed you, cousin.” He pulled me into another side hug. “This town just doesn’t have as much trouble without you.”
“Sure.” I rolled my eyes. “You always got up to more than I did.” Jake was about my age, but instead of going to college after graduating high school, he decided to open a bakery. Something my father would never have allowed. But Jake’s father was different; both my uncles were.
Technically, we weren’t supposed to spend time together. Internal Ashford family rivalry and all, but I’d rarely met a rule that couldn’t be broken. Unlike my brothers, my father would forgive me for anything, and I’d always known it.
Jake eyed the cup in my hand. “I made that guy take his cup outside. You know the rules.”
“You mean your ridiculous resentment that Shelby next door has better coffee than you?”
He leveled me with a glare. “Traitor.”
I’d never gotten the full story of why Jake and Shelby hated each other so much, but I was sure it was quite the tale. I ducked away from his arm and looked into my sadly empty cup. “I’m going to need a refill.”
“On the house.” He turned to his counter, where a series of carafes sat.
