“No,”I confessed. “This is totally Vera’s idea. I’m not even sure Killian knows.”
Herbrows drew together. “He has to know. The whole staff at Sarita knows. I doubtthey’d be able to keep that a secret.”
“I’mnot sure what they know. Vera said they’re happy to keep our secret becausethey will do anything to avoid another Juan Carlo scenario. Also, I’m surethey’re all terrified of Killian.”
Dillonnodded. “As they should be.”
“I’mnot worried about him finding out though. It’s Ezra that I’m hoping to hidethis from until I can at least apply for the position with confidence. Vera haspromised to whip my tail into shape. Last Sunday, she made me take orders tofamiliarize myself with the food. She’ll probably have me bus tables this week,so I can really get in touch with Sarita’s soul.”
Dillonlaughed at my sarcasm. “No, she didn’t.”
“Shedid. I swear it.”
“You’relike the Karate Kid!”
Isnorted. “That’s exactly what I said!”
“Still,that’s amazing. The job is for sure yours.” Her pretty face fell. “And thenI’ll be stuck here. By myself. Working for the devil. While all my friends runrestaurants of their very own.”
“Yeah,but not forever,” I reminded her. “Plus, there’s no guarantee that I’ll evenget Sarita. Ezra has never hired a female chef before. I’m the first femalesous chef in the harem and only by default thanks to seniority.”
“Nottrue,” she protested. “You deserved your position. Killian’s the one thatappointed you in the first place. Not even Wyatt could deny you that accolade.”She folded her arms across her chest and hugged her body, staring at her feet.“I don’t think Ezra has intentionally only hired men. Unfortunately, I thinkthere are more male candidates to choose from.”
Thatwas true. Women were definitely the minority in fine dining kitchens and oftenleft their positions to have families. Kitchen hours were the absolute worstwhere kids were involved. And because of that, women had to fight harder thananyone to make it in this already cutthroat industry.
“You’reprobably right,” I agreed with her. “But that doesn’t make the interview anyless daunting.” Her lips pressed into a frown. “I don’t think your brother issexist by the way.” And I didn’t. Maybe naively unaware that his kitchens weredominated by men. But as far as I could tell, Ezra disdained all sexes andpeople equally. He was an equal opportunity snob.
“Vera!”Dillon blurted, pointing her finger in the air.
Iblinked at my friend and her sudden emotional one-eighty. “What?”
“Heoffered Bianca to Vera!”
Thiswas news to me—I only barely kept my jaw from dropping. “He did what?”
Dillonwaved at the general area of where the food truck used to be. “When she hadFoodie, and he was dealing with all the drama at Bianca, he offered her theposition. But she turned him down because of Killian and Salt.”
Hopesoared in my chest, creating more hope and new hope and a light at the end ofthis tunnel. “That’s good news.”
“Right?”
Wewere silent for a few seconds before I said in genuine confusion, “I can’tbelieve she turned him down.”
Dillon’seyes bugged. “Me either! I guess she only wanted to work with Killian.”
Neitherof us could grasp a love like that. A love that inspired loyalty and the desireto work together.
Ithought about Wyatt. Not that I loved him. Or would ever even like him. But thesexy kiss had put him in my head and it was impossible not to hold him up nextto Killian.
Veraloved Killian enough to abandon her food truck and go into business with herboyfriend, now fiancé. I couldn’t help but cringe in anxiety for her. Thatcould end so badly.
Whatif their restaurant ruined their marriage?
Orworse, what if their marriage ruined their restaurant?
Killianhad a reputation that could save him. Maybe. But what about Vera? She wasrisking everything on the miniscule chance that her marriage wouldn’t end indivorce and her business partnership wouldn’t end in bitter hatred.
Itwas too much.
