“Relax, I’m at home making an equipment list of everything we need and finding suppliers.”
“Oh phew, well that wasn’t funny, Andrés.”
“Neither is leaving me with a boner so hard I could hit polo balls with it.”
“Sorry. Can I help with that?”
“No, I actually do have a meeting in five minutes, so I can’t do anything about it. I’ll have to live with the sticky mess you’ve made me until later.”
“Shit, sorry,” I say but he laughs.
“Stop saying sorry, and I like that you needed me. It was very hot to hear that desperation in your voice.” I know he can’t see mebut I smile at his words. I’m not ashamed I called him, certainly not now I know he wasn’t in company.
“What did you say to me in Spanish?”
“Do you really want to know?” he asks.
“Yeah, of course.”
“When I see you I’m going to fuck you so hard you pass out,” he says.
My smile widens into a feral grin. I could live with that too.
The first person I see when I leave my room is Avery, and I inwardly groan. He gave me hell after the incident in the hospitality tent. I never told him any facts or confirmed anything he guessed, but he did a pretty good job of piecing it together correctly. However, since New Year he’s been hooking up with Pawel, the new ski instructor, so I’m old news, especially as he hasn’t seen me with anyone else, nor will he.
“Hi, Angie says she wants to see you,” he says and I frown.
“Did she say when?” I haven’t got any meetings planned with her until early next week.
“No, but I got the impression she wanted to see you soon.” The way he says “soon,” making it sound quite ominous, worries me, and I switch my plans to find a lift into town and go to visit her instead.
“You wanted to see me?” I ask after I knock on her office door and she invites me in.
“I did, please sit.” I do as she asks, trying to gauge what she’s thinking. “Now, you know I think your work has always been exemplary, and you’ve handled the staff and the rotas well.”
“Yes,” I say hesitantly. This sounds like it might be leading up to a “but.” Is she going to fire me? Has someone complained about me? I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong, except for breaking the rules over Andrés, but that was weeks ago.
“I hope you like it here; you’ve always said you do,” she continues. “So I’d like you to stay on, extend your contract.”
“Oh, I thought you were going to fire me,” I blurt out, surprised that the “but” didn’t come.
“Fire you? Why would I do that?” she asks, sharp enough to pick up on what I’ve said.
“No reason,” I say hastily and her face relaxes again.
“No, I’m not going to fire you. In fact, I want to offer you a promotion. Head chef.”
“Head chef?”
“Yes, Conal is moving on and I can’t think of anyone more competent, and of course, if you think there’s anyone in the team who would make a good sous chef...” she continues but I only half listen. I’m being offered the head chef position. Not my own restaurant, but the next best thing. It’s a position I’ve wanted, and I know she’ll let me add my own creations. I might even make a name for myself here. Had she offered me this a month ago I would have jumped at the chance. But not now. I do want to be head chef, but I also want to give what’s growing between me and Andrés a chance. If it means I have to be thirdchef somewhere for a while to have Andrés, it’s better than being head chef here but alone.
“Sorry, Angie. I’m going to finish my contract and then I’m going home,” I say and she regards me silently for a minute.
“The pay offer is very good, with bonuses and insurance,” she says eventually, trying to appeal to my financial good sense as complimenting my work hasn’t worked.
“I appreciate the offer, Angie, I really do. But it’s time for me to go home.” Again the homesick feeling rises and suddenly I can’t wait to leave.
“Alright.” She nods, accepting my refusal. “But I will be sorry to see you go.”
