He surveyedhis kitchen as I imagined a general inspected his troops before battle. Hisshrewd eyes bounced from one person to the next, to the equipment and the foodleaving the kitchen. He saw everything at once and had already passed hisjudgment. For better or worse, we were what he had to work with. It wasimpossible to tell if that pleased him or infuriated him.
Afew staff members waved or said hello, but he merely nodded in return. For aman recently engaged, he wasn’t exactly the shade of matrimonial bliss.
“Hey,Ezra,” Vera greeted sweetly as she passed another stack of tapas to a waitingserver. “Long time no see.” Her gaze swiveled back to mine and she explained,“Killian and I met them for a celebratory lunch today.”
Herubbed his red eyes. “We drank too much.”
Verasmiled. “You drank too much. I had to work.”
Heblinked at her. “Yeah, I thought Killian was going to be here.”
“Killianis working at our restaurant.” She paused, and I thought she might have beenwaiting for that to register with him, but he didn’t comment. “Anyway,” shewent on, “I’m doing you this huge favor tonight so Kaya can work alongside me.”
Ezra’sattention moved to me as if noticing me in Sarita’s kitchen for the first time.“You don’t belong here.”
Itwasn’t a harsh statement, more like a neutral observation. He wasn’t accusingme of anything, only sliding the missing puzzle piece into place.
Ididn’t know what to say though. Apparently, he was drunk or maybe just tipsy oron the other side of either heading toward hungover. However, all of thosescenarios were less than ideal because he seemed cranky.
Pitchingmyself to the regular version of Ezra, who was terse, demanding, and obstinatein general, was hard enough. But having to convince him I was right for thisrestaurant was an entirely different beast of impossible.
Straighteningmy spine and steeling my courage, I lifted my chin and said, “I beg to differ.”
“Whatdoes that mean?” Ezra asked through a yawn while he rubbed his eyes again.
“Ithink I could belong here,” I ventured, swallowing the wobble in my voice. “Ifyou let me try. I think I could be your executive.”
Hefocused on me fully while Vera moved down the stainless-steel island to give usspace. “You want to be Sarita’s chef?” He rested his body weight on his hands.“Kaya, you want to leave Lilou for Sarita?”
Isn’t that what you did?was on the tip of my tongue, butI decided making jokes at the expense of his dating life probably wasn’t thebest way to land my dream job.
“Yes,”I told him, feeling the truth of that one simple word down to the bottom of mysoul. “I want her, Ezra. I think I was made for her.”
Hiseyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Will that put Wyatt out?”
Ishrugged, knowing I should be more professional, but now that the truth of whatI wanted was out there, I couldn’t play coy. “He has other options. This is aonce in a lifetime chance for me. I want to at least try.”
“Ihave several people interested in the job. You’re going to have to apply likeeverybody else.”
“That’sokay,” I told him honestly. “I’d love the chance to show you that I’m thebest.”
Hesmiled at my sassy reply.
Iheld my game face in place even though the words were more bravado thananything else. My knees were currently trembling, and my nauseous scale wastipping towards violent. “I also have good references.” I inclined my headtoward Vera.
Hemade a sound in the back of his throat. “References that are highly motivatedto get out of doing the job themselves.”
Vera’shands slammed playfully on the stainless steel. “Because we have our own damnkitchen to run.”
Hesmiled at me, ignoring Vera. “I see my ploy to hire them back isn’t working outlike I’d planned.”
“Ezra!”Vera gasped.
Ilaughed because I could only hope that was a joke. If it was true, I was introuble. There was no way I could compete against Killian. Not because he wassuch a superior chef. I mean, there were plenty of those out there. But becauseKillian owned the real estate on all of Ezra’s kindness. I supposed Molly got aportion too.
Ezrawrapped his knuckles on the counter. “Okay, Kaya. One shot. Make me a meal thatwill change my life. I want three courses and a dessert in the style of Sarita.So at least ten plates, but I’ll accept up to sixteen. The best you’ve got.I’ll also need a resume, references, and a letter of recommendation fromKillian and Wyatt. I know you’ve been Wyatt’s sous chef for less than a year,but that should have been enough time for him to know your style and if you’llfit in over here.”
I’dpulled out my phone to quickly take notes on everything he said. “When?” Iasked, feeling breathless and weightless and scared shitless.
