Hegave me a sardonic look. “She hasn’t said anything about it.”
Oh,shit. I knew she wanted to keep it a secret, but it wasn’t like I could get outof it now. Or even make something up that was kind of believable—trust me, Iwas trying.
Therewas no way to explain what I was doing here on my one night off, posing as abusser. that could possibly make sense. Except the truth. The truth of it madeperfect sense. At least to me.
Although,I could have gotten away with some weird dirty dish fetish. Killian might havebelieved that. Or at least not asked very many questions about it.
Oh, hey, Killian. I have adepraved obsession with dirty dishes. There’s just something about greasyplates… I’m working on it, but I’m, uh, weak.
ThenI would have had the super fun experience of watching him run from therestaurant to never speak to me again. Or look me in the eyes.
Yeah,the truth was better.
“Oh,I asked her not to say anything to anyone.” Pretty much the truth.
Hisgaze dropped to the dishes again. “I can see why.”
Settingthe tub on the table, I took a step closer to him and glanced around at thedining room. Suddenly, I felt overwhelming panic. If Killian had already foundme, it was only a matter of time before our little community knew what I was upto.
Maybethat was giving myself too much credit and people weren’t as obsessed with meas I feared them to be. But, they were all a bunch of gossips. Every last oneof them. That meant none of them could be trusted.
Noteven my former boss.
“Shehas you bussing?”
Igave him a half smile. “Last week she made me wait tables.”
Anaffectionate smile stretched across his face. “She’s evil.”
“Anevil genius maybe. I think her plan is working.”
“Yeah?You feel ready to take on Sarita now?”
Ididn’t like his tone. It suggested that I was nowhere near being ready.Struggling not to glare at him, I confessed more of the truth—truth he didn’tnecessarily deserve, but apparently, I sucked at lying. “No, not yet. But shewanted me to appreciate the restaurant as a whole, experience it from outsidethe kitchen. I’ve seen what’s working and what could be improved. I’ve gottento know the staff and the layout of the restaurant. If I want a chance in hellof getting this job, the more I know about it, the better off I’ll be.”
Hissmile became genuine again. “Knowledge is power.”
“Yes!It is. I want to know more about this place than Ezra.”
Hefolded his arms over his chest. “I don’t know if that’s possible. Ezra is acontrol freak times one billion. But, you might end up impressing him and thatdoesn’t happen very often.”
Ichewed on my lip ring, debating over my next question until it kind of flew outof my mouth without my permission. “Do you think I have a chance at it? Behonest with me.”
Hisbody flexed and twitched as he took a minute to seriously consider my question.I had been expecting an immediate answer and his hesitation made me wish I’dnever opened my stupid mouth. I wanted to snatch the words from the air andswallow them.
Finally,he leaned forward and said, “You’re a hell of a chef, Kaya. That’sindisputable. You’re hotheaded though and Ezra is going to do whatever he canto avoid hiring another angry egomaniac. This job is going to piss you off. Alot. You need to know how to handle it without causing a scene and withoutdrawing Ezra’s attention.”
Hiswords hit like a punch in the gut. I would have snarled something bitchy at himif it wouldn’t have proved his point.
Thething was, all chefs were arrogant and hot tempered. At least, most of us.Hell, he was the king of cocky and angry.
“Also,”he continued, making me cringe in anticipation for what he was about to say.“You have a tendency to overcook your fish.”
Icovered my face with my hands to hide my groan. “I shouldn’t have asked you.”
Heknocked me on the bicep with his fist. “Hey, don’t feel bad. Fix those twothings and Ezra would be stupid not to hire you. I’d be happy to tell him thattoo.”
Hiscomment gave me the courage to drop my hands and brave him again. “You would?”
