Page 29 of Challenged By You
“I can guarantee you anyone hired around the time I was or after hasn’t heard it. Chef Spencer didn’t take the time to tell that to us. For what it’s worth, it’s moving, it’s inspiring. And while you’ve done a great job of bringing unity back, the story of five women who had their kind of strength and determination will go a long way to finishing the job.”
I start to wander off, before stopping. “Would you mind calling the mother restaurant for me?”
“Why?” A look of suspicion comes into her eyes.
“I want tonight’s dessert of the day to be an homage to those women. Without them…never mind.” I start to walk away, frustrated.
“I overheard Chef Palazzo mention to her partners her fondness for strawberry cheesecake when I was working one night. Her husband would bring it to her throughout her pregnancy.” I whirl around in shock. “Yes, Chef, I started out many years ago at Seduction Portland. Chef Palazzo used to lecture me constantly about being on time. It was a lesson I learned quickly,” she informs me before heading over to another station. “Remember, the asparagus needs to be cut thinner and at an angle, Marcel,” she reminds him again.
“Yes, Chef Sterling.”
“Thank you. Carry on.”
Those words unfreezing me, I return to my station to set about making the best damn strawberry cheesecake I can. My mind is riddled with thoughts of Jonas, decisions I have to make, and what this will mean if I let him in.
But still, the cheesecake sells out before ten. I get high fives from Elle, Abby, and Jerome as we continue to plate up more desserts until it’s time for me to leave. Chef Sterling smiles as I prepare to catch my train.
As the train rocks back and forth, I pull out my phone to text Jonas.I’m off for the next three days. Let me know when you’re free.
Without thinking twice, I press Send.
Chapter 11
Trina
“You’re never going to believe this.” Jonas storms through my front door the next evening carrying bags from the local Chinese takeout.
Before I can answer, Chris comes running over yelling, “Hi, Nono, Hi!” He latches onto Jonas’s leg.
“You obviously feel better, buddy. How about I put this down so your mom can sort it out?”
“Okay.” Chris races back to where he and Annie are playing swords with their stuffed animals. I eye the slightly rougher play for a moment before I gesture Jonas into the kitchen.
“I’m pretty certain the text you sent me said it all. No more deliveries from García’s due to the high volume. But you didn’t have to get Chinese, Jonas. I could have made something.”
He whirls on me like I’m in cahoots with García’s. “I said I’d bring dinner. I stood on the street outside the subway station on my damn phone looking up the best Chinese places. This place had 2,000 positive reviews. So, I’ll review it. They, too, only have limited seating.”
I quickly unpack the cartons of the delicious-smelling spices. “I’m not surprised, Jonas. Retail space is expensive. Why pay for seats when you can pay employees to run food to apartments?”
“That’s insane,” he splutters.
“That’s reality. Think of it this way.” I fold the bag and slide it under the sink. I think there’s a groan behind me, but I ignore it. “Most of the prime-facing places to rent in Manhattan for restaurant space are—” I twist and face him putting myself on level with an impressive view of my own that makes me have to take a deep breath before continuing. “—‘available upon request.’ That includes for a gallery kitchen with barstools. Does that give you the warm and fuzzies about what people are paying?”
“No, it doesn’t, but…” He trails off when I straighten, and I realize we’re so closely in each other’s space it would take nothing but a breath for us to be in each other’s arms. His eyes drop to my lips, and our conversation comes to a halt. Hunger, the kind you can’t satisfy with food, crawls inside.
I try to squash the feeling by asking, “Did you just get white rice for the kids? I have some other food for them, so I can mix it in.” I turn so my back is facing him and begin fiddling with boxes.
“No, I got them the hottest szechuan chicken on the menu.” He reaches over and stills my hands. “Trina…”
But just as he’s about to address the ridiculous tension between us, there’s a knock at my door. “Saved by the bell.”
“You don’t have one, but you’d better get that.” Jonas lets my hands go.
I walk over the few steps back to the front door. Peering out the peephole, I let my head fall forward. “Oh, God. Why do you have to do this to me?”
Jonas steps up behind me. “What? Who is it?”
“Brace yourself,” I warn him, before I fling the door open to Elle holding up a box of cheap wine.
