Mollylaughed. “Hardly. Which is why I’m confident you’ll get the job.”
“We’llsee.” I sighed.
Verawaved her hand dismissively in the air. “You got this, champ. I didn’t raise nofool.” At Molly’s confused look, she added. “I’ve been mentoring her for thepast few weeks. She’s amazing now.”
“She’salways been amazing.” Molly laughed.
“Also,mostly you just made me bus tables. There wasn’t a whole lot of mentoring goingon.”
Verawaved a butcher knife at me. “I mentored the shit out of you. I want fullcredit when you get the job.”
“I’vemissed so much,” Molly lamented.
“Well,that’s what happens when you go on vacation for six years,” Vera snapped back.
“Tellme all about it though! Vera and I will never get a vacation like that. I wantto know every single detail. I mean, did you read any good books? Or take anynaps? Explain in detail to me what it was like to take a nap. I can’tremember.”
Sherolled her eyes, but thankfully launched into the story of what it was like torelax while I cleaned everything up from my day of cooking. She sat with me forover an hour until her fiancé realized she was hanging out in the kitchen andcame to haul her out.
“Molly,”Ezra growled her name upon entering the kitchen.
Shehopped off the counter where she’d been happily chirping every detail of theirVirgin Island getaway. “I just got here!” She winked at me and hurried from thekitchen. “I’ll put in a good word for you, Kaya!”
Ezrastared at the swinging door in horrified awe of the woman he loved. “I don’tknow what to do with her.”
Ipressed my lips together and decided not to comment.
Tome, he said, “I just wanted to thank you again, Kaya. You really impressed metoday.”
Settingmy roll of knives down, I accepted the hand he’d extended toward me. “Thank youfor the opportunity, Ezra. It would be a dream come true to runSarita’skitchen.”
Hesmiled, real affection for his restaurant shining through. “Do you have yourreferences? I mainly need the one from Wyatt.”
Clearingmy throat, I pulled out the sealed envelope from my purse. Wyatt had given itto me yesterday. We’d discussed what to do about our relationship and if Ezrareally needed to know that we were dating. Honesty was always the best policy,but our relationship was so new. It hardly seemed fair to compromise Saritabecause of my love life.
Andyet, given the choice, I knew I would pick Wyatt. Sarita was important to me,yes. But Wyatt was everything to me.
Staringat Ezra’s polished shoes, I confessed, “You should know that Wyatt and I madeour relationship official this week. We’re dating.”
Hissilence said more than words ever could. Especially when he finally spoke, itwas a stilted “Oh.”
Liftingmy head to at least pretend I had courage, I quickly explained, “I realize thismight affect your decision, but I wanted to let you know anyway. Wyatt and Ihave worked together for the last five years and I feel as though his opinionof me will remain objective, but we’ve also had feelings for each other for awhile.”
Hemade a sound in the back of his throat. “I know.”
Itwas my turn to say, “Oh.”
Hesmiled at me and I was taken aback so strongly I nearly lost my balance. “Imight not have known about your feelings for him. But it’s no secret he’s beenharboring a crush on you for ages. That said, if he’s written hisrecommendation with hearts over the I’s, I’m going to ask you to find someoneelse.”
Ilaughed, and it felt real and genuine and so light. “Thanks, Ezra.”
“Begood to him,” he ordered. “He’s as persnickety as they come, but he cares aboutyou, Kaya.”
“Icare about him too,” I said honestly, my body warming with just the thought ofhim.
“Goodto hear.” He patted me on the shoulder. “We’ll talk soon.”
Iwent straight to Lilou after I left Sarita. I had to see him. Today had beencrazy and all I wanted was Wyatt and his arms around me.
