Page 21 of Begin Again
10
ANNIE
August 2019 - Annie is 23, Sam is 25
There’s a spring in my step as I make my way to my new studio apartment. I pull out my phone to call Chiara, my closest friend from culinary school, who moved to New York for culinary school from Italy. I hit call and walk up the first flight of stairs to my apartment.
She answers on the first ring. “Tell me you got the job!”
“I got the job,” I laugh into the phone. It doesn’t feel real that I just got hired to train to be the head chef at Austen’s. It’s where I’ve dreamed of working for years since I first got to New York and now it’s happening.
“We have to go out to celebrate tonight. Wait, this weekend. I have my last test tomorrow and shouldn’t stay up late,” Chiara says.
“This weekend, for sure,” I tell her, excitement bubbling up inside of me. “Mitch Austen is just like everyone says.”
Chiara squeals. Mitch Austen is renowned in the culinary world of New York. He’s the current head chef but just choseme to be his replacement because he’s going to be opening new restaurants all over the city.
“Is he as beautiful as all the pictures?” Chiara sighs.
“Somehow, I think he’s even more beautiful in person.” My heart flutters in a way that hasn’t happened in far too long. Yeah, my new boss is hot—or maybe I just think he’s attractive because he’s so talented. Either way, I’m lucky. “I’ll have to introduce the two of you once I’ve been working there longer.” He’s a few years older than us, and totally Chiara’s type.
“Oh, I love you! You are the best friend a girl could ask for. But I’ve got to run. Congrats though,” she yells the congratulations part. “I’ll text you so we can figure out plans to celebrate.”
“Alright. Love you too,” I tell her and then we both hang up the phone. I’ve got a stupid grin on my face as I head up the three flights of stairs to my apartment and unlock the door.
I pull out my phone and text Emily, because she needs to know the news, and I need to tell her all about my hot new boss. She and I aren’t as close as we were in high school, but we still keep in touch.
Me
I GOT THE JOB!! And Mitch Austen is even more attractive in person than he is in any online photos.
I set my phone on the counter and pull out the pasta I made yesterday to reheat for my lunch. I’m buzzing with excited energy.
My phone vibrates, and I lunge for it, but it’s a text from Sam, not from Emily. He knew I had my final interview today.
Sam
Any news yet?
He is somewhere out of the country, but I call him anyway.
“Hey, sunshine,” he answers, and his voice is low and quiet like I just woke him up.
“Hey, I got the job!”
“Yes!” Sam shouts and I can hear him moving around. “I knew you would. I can’t wait to come eat at the famous Austen’s and have my food cooked by the amazing chef Annie Jones.”
I snort. “You can eat my food any time, you know that.”
“I know. But going to the restaurant where you will be the head chef, that’s incredible.”
The awe in his voice makes me weak at the knees. I sit on my bed which takes up most of the space in my tiny studio. “I mean, technically it’ll be another year or so until I’m officially the head chef, I’ll be under the current chef’s wing while he trains me. But that’s why I got the job since I’m fresh out of culinary school and haven’t worked anywhere yet. He said it’ll be perfect so I can find my style.”
“That’s amazing, Annie.” Sam says my name with such reverence.
“Celebrate with me when you get back?” I ask him. Before he answers, I hear muffled conversations from his side of the phone. “Who’s with you?”
“Hm?” Sam asks, distracted. “Oh, that’s Christina. She was just wondering who I was talking to. But yes, when I get back, I’ll take you out to celebrate. Wherever you want.”
