The seconds ticked as she gave him a lingering stare. “I don’t know. For some reason I thought you would have something disparaging to say.”
“Like what, Tonya?”
“Like you don’t believe a woman can run a successful restaurant.”
Gage set down the knife. “I know we didn’t get off on the right foot the first time we met, and I may have said a few things that made you believe I doubted you because of your gender, but it has nothing to do with you being a woman. It’s just that there are so many eating establishments in New Orleans that if you’re going to open one, then in order to remain viable, it has to be exceptional.”
“I have no doubt it will be exceptional.”
There was a quiet assurance in Tonya’s voice that indicated she refused to accept failure—another feature Gage had come to admire in her. A flash of humor crossed his features. “I’m certain it will, and I’d like to volunteer my services to make certain you do succeed.” He was certain he shocked her with the offer when her jaw dropped.
“How?” The single word came out in a whisper.
“After you finalize your menu, I want you to prepare the selections and I’ll grade you on each. I promise to be open-mindedandunbiased. And if I find something a little off with a particular recipe, then I’d like for you to be open to my suggestions as to how to make it better.”
She blinked slowly. “You’d do that?”
Gage returned his attention to chopping the shrimp. “Why wouldn’t I? Have you ever heard of the expression, ‘one hand washes the other and both hands wash the face’?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“Well, it goes both ways. I’m willing to help you, but I also I have a favor to ask of you.”
“What is it?”
Gage told her about the change in his teaching schedule and that he needed her to cover the restaurant three mornings each week to allow Eustace to continue his exercise regimen. “If you can’t do it, then I’ll have to try and find someone else to come in—”
“Stop it, Gage,” Tonya admonished quietly, interrupting him. “Of course I’ll do it. Your brother already gave me a set of keys and the code to the security system, so that lets you off the hook for volunteering to become an official taster.”
He curbed the urge to kiss Tonya until both were breathless. “No, it doesn’t,” he countered. “If you think I’m going to turn down the opportunity to sample what you make, then you don’t know how stubborn we Toussaints can be. Not only will I judge, but I also want to be there to observe when you make each dish.”
Her dimples winked at him when she smiled. “Just when are you going to find the time to watch me cook, now that you’re a full-time teacher?”
“I’m usually free on Sundays. Either you can cook here or at the restaurant.”
Her smile grew wider. “Well, well, well. It looks as if I have an official judge.Merci.”
“You’re welcome.” He averted his head so Tonya could not see his smug expression. When he had called Tonya to ask whether he could talk to her, it had not entered his mind to critique the dishes she planned to serve to her patrons. And his offer meant he would get to see her at least once a week. Gage pointed to the fresh ginger. “How much ginger do you want me to grate?”
“One teaspoon, and please make certain it is finely grated.”
“Yes, chef.”
A slight frown furrowed Tonya’s forehead. “Can you please stop calling me that when we’re alone together?”
“What?”
“Chef.”
“What do you want me to call you?”
“Tonya.”
He nodded. She had berated him when he had referred to her as a cook, and now she had taken issue with him because he called her chef. “Then Tonya it is.”
* * *
There was a comfortable silence as Tonya worked side-by-side with Gage. She concentrated on mashing the avocado with a fork before adding lime juice, salt, and wasabi paste.
