Page 43 of For Butter or Worse
“Mini,” her dad called, using his nickname for Jas, “the omelet is absolutely perfect. But the bread...”
“More salt?” Dori asked, finishing for him.
“Hmm...maybe that’s it.” Cory took another bite.
“I think you mean thank you for cooking us brunch?” Jasmine said as she passed her dad the salt.
A brief flicker of tension passed across the table, and Nina decided to dab it away. “The flavor of the bread is so nice and complex with the rosemary,” Nina said. “We’ll have to add this to the menu next week.”
“I hadn’t thought about it that way!” Dori looked at Jasmine. “Don’t you just love how she talks about food?”
“I’m still going to add a little salt.” Cory took the salt spoon and sprinkled some on his bread.
“Go for it, Dad.” Jasmine rolled her eyes and took a large bite of her own bread.
“Did you show Nina the listing we sent you?” Dori asked.
Jasmine pointed to her mouth, which was still full of bread she was busy chewing.
“Oh, well, we sent Mini a listing for a sweet little bungalow that’s for rent a block from here.” Cory pulled up the listing on his phone and passed it to Nina. “That way she’d be closer to home, and there’s a beautiful garden where the owner has gorgeous mature avocado trees. It’s a really special place.”
Jasmine smiled tightly through her mouthful of food.
“Jasmine’s loft is such a great find,” Nina said, filling in the silence. “And the kitchen is enormous. This bungalow wouldn’t have the counter space she needs, right?” Nina held the phone up to Dori, who cocked her head as she eyed the listing photo.
“You know, you were really too good for that show, Nina. I’m so glad you left,” Cory said.
“But now you’re dating that Leo?” Dori frowned. “We have so many people from the arboretum we could set you up with. Nice, successful men.”
Nina politely smiled. Hell, maybe being set up with someone else wasn’t such a bad idea. After all, she needed to stop thinking about Leo, and how her hands had tangled in his hair. A distraction could be good for her. Though the thought of being on a date with someone else made her stomach clench.
“Mini never lets us set her up on dates,” Dori said.
“I want to meet someone on my own, thank you.” Jasmine straightened in her chair—or maybe she was fidgeting, Nina couldn’t tell.
“Well, the people you meet aren’t looking for long-term relationships. Nina, are you looking for a long-term partner?” Cory asked.
“Dad, I don’t think Nina wants to talk about fertilizing techniques—no innuendo intended—with one of your coworkers.” Jasmine dipped her bread into the tomato sauce.
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Nina replied. “You know I keep meaning to grow my own herbs for the restaurant.”
Dori kissed Nina on the forehead as she said, “See, Jasmine? At least someone appreciates my offers.”
“Did she tell you?” Cory asked.
“No,” Nina hesitantly replied, looking at Jasmine.
“Turns out we need a caterer for the benefit gala we’re hosting,” Dori said. “And we told Jasmine she should do it.”
“You mean like, have Jasmine make the menu and hire the sous chefs?” Nina asked, to clarify. Because ifthatwas what her best friend’s parents were offering, it was a really big fucking deal. Especially because Nina knew that people with money would RSVP to Jas’s parents. And money could mean connections for Jasmine that would help her open her own place.
“Yes, why not?” Cory said. “She’s a chef. We need a chef.”
“You know we love you, and Lyon,” Dori clarified. “But she needs to build a name for herself like you have, Nina.”
Jasmine scratched the back of her neck, like she’d just had a patch of hives spring up there. Her best friend didn’t love being cornered—who did?—and she was sure the comparisons to her weren’t helping anything.
“I wanted to build my own brand. It’s not for everyone. But cooking for the gala could be a fun way to test out some recipes,” Nina said, hedging.
