Killianexplained, “Ezra was going to cancel their big vacation, but Vera felt bad forMolly so here we are, running the most dysfunctional kitchen on the planet.”
“That’snot true,” Dillon argued. “Bianca is the most dysfunctional kitchen on theplanet. Sarita will truly be better without Juan Carlo.”
Ibit my bottom lip to keep from smiling. Juan Carlo was as pretentious as hisname suggested. He was a beast to work for and a complete egomaniac. Wyatt was bad,Juan Carlo was impossible. But his food was only mediocre in my opinion and henever changed the menu. Still, somehow, he’d created the illusion of a big namefor himself and prior to last night, I never thought Sarita would be available.
“Youtwo are in charge until Ezra gets back? Then what?”
Killiangave me an assessing look that again made me feel too seen, like a kid introuble with her parents. “Then the search begins.”
Lookingeverywhere but at Killian, I asked, “Do you think he’ll hire in house?”
“Hardto say,” Killian replied. “It’s always hard to say with Ezra.”
Thatresponse got me nowhere. I downed the rest of my delicious coffee and rinsedthe mug out in the sink.
“Justset it there,” Vera directed. “I’ll get it later.”
“Areyou sure?”
“It’snot a problem,” she promised, offering me a smile.
“Thanks.And thanks for the coffee. I needed it today.” I caught Dillon’s eye and noddedmy head toward the exit. “We should get going.”
“Oh,yeah.” She hopped off the counter and turned to Killian, launching intosomething about how Sarita opens and delivery information.
Veramoved to my side and started walking, indicating that I should follow her. So,I did. Once we were back in the dining room, she nudged me with her elbow. “Doyou want Sarita?”
Iswallowed a lump large enough to be my heart. “Wh-what?”
“Don’tplay humble with me,” Vera laughed. “Do you want it?”
Rollingmy eyes at her so she knew I didn’t appreciate being called out, I admitted,“Obviously, I want Sarita. I’d have to be crazy not to want her.”
Hervoice dropped, and she whispered, “He’s not going to give it to you.”
Iwould have felt devastated if not for the mischievous tone in her voice. “Whynot?”
“Becauseyou’re a girl.”
“I’venever taken Ezra to be the sexist type.”
Sheshrugged. “He’s not necessarily. It’s the industry. It’s all men. And Ezra hasnever had a female executive chef before. He doesn’t even know it’s possible.”
Shewasn’t telling me anything I didn’t know. The first day of culinary school Irealized I would have to work twice as hard as the boys in my class thatoutnumbered me three to one. “Not even Dillon?”
“That’swhat I mean,” Vera said quietly. “He’s definitely going to hire Dillon forBianca. That’s already in motion. You’re either going to have to beat her orconvince him to give two of his restaurants to women.”
Ihadn’t thought of that. The floor seemed to drop out from underneath me. Myfragile dream curled up into a ball and rolled out of reach. “Shit.”
Itwasn’t possible. And not because I wasn’t good enough. Vera was right. If Ezraplanned to give one of his restaurants to Dillon, there was no chance in hell Iwould get the other one. And I couldn’t compete with my best friend over arestaurant because it was the only option.
Besides,I wouldn’t be a good fit for Bianca. My integrity wouldn’t even let me applyfor the position. I didn’t want to do fussy French food. I wanted spicy tapasand a sexy, smoldering atmosphere. I would suffocate Bianca. Or the other wayaround.
“Provehim wrong,” Vera coaxed. “Prove that Dillon is a fine hire, but that he’d becrazy not to give you Sarita.”
Ilooked at her, feeling helpless and lost. “How do I do that?”
“First,you’re going to have to convince Wyatt. And Killian. And me.” She winked. “Butspoiler alert, I’m already on your side.”
