Eustace angled his head at the same time he crossed his arms over his chest. “Watch your language, Gage. Have you forgotten there’s a lady present?”
Gage winked at Tonya. “Sorry, ma’am.”
She grimaced. Kids referred to her asma’am. Not men who were closer to her own age. “Apology accepted.”
“Try the sriracha ones,” Eustace urged.
Tonya met Gage’s eyes as he sampled each of the wings, and she knew instinctively they would be a big hit with the book club ladies. And they were healthier because they were baked, not fried. Seeing the brothers together made her aware that although they did not resemble each other their body language was similar. Gage had the advantage of being at least two inches taller, while Eustace probably outweighed him by at least thirty or possibly forty or more pounds.
Gage washed his hands again, wiping them on the towel he’d tucked under the apron ties. “It looks as if you have a little competition, big brother.”
Nodding his head slowly, Eustace flashed a knowing grin. “I don’t mind competition if it enhances Chez Toussaints’ reputation.”
Gage approached Tonya and rested a hand on her shoulder. “Be careful that Eustace won’t try and steal you away from Hannah.”
Tilting her chin, Tonya stared up at the man who stood a little close for comfort as she inhaled the intoxicating scent of his cologne. “That will never happen,” she said when he dropped his hand. “I’ve committed to running the café and supper club for the DuPont Inn.” Gage gave her a startled look with this pronouncement. His expression indicated he hadn’t been apprised of the extent of Hannah’s business plans.
“Hannah’s also opening a supper club?”
“Yes.”
“When did she decide this?” Gage asked.
“I don’t know,” Tonya replied. “You’d have to ask her.”
A slight frown appeared between his luminous eyes. “When St. John told me about Hannah converting the house into an inn he only mentioned that she would operate it like a B and B.”
Now that the proverbial cat was out of the bag, Tonya saw no further need to act as if the establishments attached to the DuPont Inn were top secrets. “I would never relocate only to serve breakfast, because she could get anyone down here to do that. She’s given me the opportunity to run my own restaurant, and that’s something I’ve wanted to do since graduating culinary school.”
Gage lifted his eyebrows a fraction at the same time he exhaled an audible sigh. “Good luck with that, chef.”
Tonya glared at Gage. Instead of congratulating her, he had wished her luck. Why couldn’t he be happy or encourage her? Was he envious, or had he believed she would not be able to make a go running her own business? She shook off his cryptic remark like a dog after a bath. There was no way she was going let anyone—men in particular—steal her joy. It was the reason she ended her marriage to a man she’d loved enough to marry.
“As soon as you’re finished making the bread pudding, I’d like you to take me back to DuPont House.” Her words were dripping with sarcasm, but Tonya was past placating anyone who openly verbalized their negativity. It had taken a while, but she made it a practice not to associate with toxic people.
Eustace cleared his throat, shattering the uncomfortable silence and the stare-down between Tonya and his brother. “Gage, why don’t you take Tonya back now? Thanks to her, I’m a couple of hours ahead of schedule.”
“I can wait,” she said. “I’d like to see how you make your bread pudding.” Tonya didn’t tell him that if his version of the poor person’s dessert was exceptional, then it would be something she would definitely include on her dessert menu.
Eustace gave her a half smile. “Are you sure?”
Tonya returned his smile with a warm one of her own. “I’m very sure.”
She was not about to let Gage’s negativity dampen her enthusiasm to learn the secrets behind his brother’s signature dishes. If he sought to discourage her, then he was in for the shock of his life.
