“And consolidating the smaller businesses like ours helps make the import part a little more feasible,” she said. Both Trish and Greg nodded. “Well, you’re in good hands.” She gestured to Greg, who smiled back. “I’m going to check in with Akin before seeing what help is needed for tonight.”
Greg and Trish moved off, toward Trish’s car. By the time Helia parked and started walking to the kitchen, she’d gone. “You don’t have to stay, you know,” she said to Dulcie.
“I’ll head back once you’re settled in your office,” he replied. Not feeling the need to argue, she continued to the kitchen.
“Akin!” she called with a smile. The chef’s gaze flickered up from a glass pan that held ciabatta dough, his fingers pressed gently into the top.
“Arabinrin kekere,” he called back with a slashing smile.
“Yoruba for ‘little sister,’” she said to Dulcie. “How is it going? Need anything?”
Akin shook his head. “We’re representing seven cultures tonight—each food from a different country. I think they will be pleased,” he said, referring to their clients.
“Of course they will, because everything you make is delicious,” she said, earning her another smile.
“You hear Trish’s idea?” she asked, picking up a carrot and taking a bite.
Akin’s focus fell back to the pan. There were eight more lined up waiting for his final magic. His head bobbed. “More than one restaurant has been ‘made’ by finding that one unique thing to add to their menu. It’s not a bad idea if she can pull it off.”
“Are you interested?” she asked, leaning her hip against the counter. Dulcie propped his shoulder against the wall opposite, his eyes scanning the space.
Akin lifted a shoulder. “We’re not a restaurant. Our reputation is built on everything Sundaram does, not only the food. It could be useful to us if we have a need for a unique product, but on a day-to-day basis, well, we shall see.”
She considered his answer. They didn’t need to brainstorm at the moment, though, so she pushed off the counter. “I’ll be in my office. Text if you need anything,” she said.
“I always do,adunni mi,” he replied, already working on the next two pans.
“What did those last words mean?” Dulcie asked when they exited the kitchen.
“Sweetness, or something like that,” she replied as they made their way across the courtyard to the main building.
“How long has he worked here?”
“Eight years, and we adore him,” she answered. “Thankfully, he likes us, too. Likes that his days are different and he doesn’t have to prepare the same menu over and over again.”
“What about Greg?”
“He came not long after Akin. He wanted to leave San Francisco, where he worked in one of the high-volume, but high-quality, tourist restaurants. We needed someone to take over kitchen management. He doesn’t make nearly as much with us, but he has a sane lifestyle.”
“I can understand the draw of that,” Dulcie said as his phone dinged. He pulled it from his pocket as they walked, then came to an abrupt halt.
“What?” Helia asked, her heart rate spiking. Dulcie’s expression had gone disturbingly blank as he read the message.
He hesitated, then shook his head. “Not sure. Monk asked me to head back as soon as you were settled.”
Her stomach pitched. “Why?”
Dulcie shook his head again, adding in a shrug.
“Go,” she said. “I’m fine. I have twenty more feet to walk. But promise you’ll text if something’s wrong. Or if Leo’s found anything. I’ll be busy much of the day, but I still want to know.”
He didn’t hesitate to reassure her before jogging toward the vineyard. She wondered what Collin needed him for as his figure disappeared between the vines. As tempting as it was, though, she decided not to let her thoughts travel down dark rabbit holes. If something life-threatening had happened, he would have called.
Thinking of Collin, she switched directions and headed toward the event space. She had paperwork to do, but the thought of sitting at a desk made her antsy. She needed to keep her body occupied as she finally gave herself permission to pick apart the conversation she’d had with him the night before.
She understood his concern; his past and the way it impacted him weren’t trivial concerns. But she felt humbled by his trust, by the role she played in his life. Not weighed down by it. And being the recipient of, and participant in, his enthusiastic “catch-up” period, well, it made her body tingle with anticipation in a way it shouldn’t during the middle of the workday.
On the other hand, it tore at her soul that because of Roger, Collin had never experienced true intimacy. Not with anyone other than her, and they’d been little more than kids at the time.
