Page 7 of Challenged By You
“Trust me, Chef, if any of the partners shared half of the stories about our corporate meetings, it would ruin our image,” she reassures me.
“Still, I apologize.”
“You have nothing to apologize for. We do. We trusted someone who…” She audibly swallows before clearing her throat. “If you say yes, you will find a very different environment upon your return. Chef Sterling has been appointed the new executive in charge, effective immediately. Also, she will be reevaluating the entire staff’s wages. Most of you will be happily surprised with your next check.”
“I’ll take it.”
“You didn’t ask what the difference was,” she scolds me gently.
“I know, but two things made the difference.”
“What’s that?”
I pluck the picture of my babies off the table. “I have children to feed, and you’re being more than fair. If it doesn’t work out, then I’ll be making the decision to leave for the right reasons.”
There’s a moment of quiet I wish wasn’t there because it gives my head too much time to spin. “Then I’ll expect to hear you’re back at work Saturday, Chef Paxton. I do believe that’s your next scheduled day.” There’s a click in my ear.
Pressing End, I hold the phone to my ear before Elle demands, “Well?”
“Ding dong, Chef Dick is gone!” I kick my legs up in the air as I fall to my back laughing.
“Wait? What?” But I can’t reply as I’m feeling a burden lift off my chest. “First, did I hear you right? That was Chef…?” Elle demands, leaning down to get in my face.
“Palazzo,” I manage to gasp out.
“Shut your trap. Mia Palazzo, co-owner of Seduction, television celebrity chef, past guest judge on umpteen cooking shows with her hot as fuck celebrity chef husband, just called you?” Elle shrieks.
Huh, I wonder why Chef Spencer didn’t mention that during orientation. Probably because he was too obsessed with mentioning all of his own accolades and putting me through the paces to ensure I actually could bake, And it’s not like I have a lot of time to look things up at work. The few moments I get here and there, I’m generally trying to place a quick online order for Chris and Annie since I don’t have TV and can’t afford the internet on my budget, but the normal bitterness that would normally swamp over me doesn’t make an appearance. I quickly recount our conversation, adding, “Why didn’t you ever mention all this other stuff about her before?”
Elle’s surprised. “I guess I thought everyone knew. I mean, it’s no big deal.”
“No big deal,” I repeat slowly, enunciating every word though I’m not sure as if that’s for Elle or to make certain I’m saying the right ones.
“Well, it’s not like her face is splattered on the joint in Times Square like Guy Fieri’s was and shit.” Suddenly, Elle’s face changes from one of disbelief to one of excitement. “If there weren’t two kids I love asleep in the next room, do you know what I’d be doing?”
A small smile plays about my lips when I see her reach for her latest-model cell. “What’s that?”
Her fingers work quickly before she turns down the volume before pressing Play on Meredith Brooks’s most famous song. “Serenading you, T. You may have taken some hard knocks, but you know what?” She holds out a hand to pull me to my feet.
I wobble as I manage to stand. “No, what?” The adrenaline from my call is wearing off.
“This opportunity is about to change everything for you. I have a feeling right here—” She holds our still-clasped hands to her heart. “—that the next month is putting you on the path to change your life.”
“You said that about Will,” I remind her.
She smiles before whispering, “And you got two miracles asleep because of him. Would you do anything differently if you knew you’d have Annie and Chris?”
“No.” I close my eyes and lean forward. “I just want more for them than—”
“And you’re going to give it to them, T. You’ve always thrived on the challenge. So, get to work figuring out what you did to impress Jonas Rice.”
Stomach churning, I get out, “Right after I vomit,” before I race to the tiny bathroom to relieve my stomach of all the horrid wine I consumed.
Elle follows me to hold my hair back, whispering in my ear all the ways she’s proud of me. It’s not long before I’m passing out, dreaming of how to seduce a man.
With my desserts, that is.
* * *
