“Order in,” Minnie called out.
Jamie had just finished washing all the strawberries when Florence came up to him.“Mike just walked in.”She turned towards Walter.“He’s having to wait for a seat.The place is full.It’ll be at least twenty minutes before a table opens up.”
Jamie looked around the kitchen.“Salzy, grab that deuce back there and give it a quick clean.”He looked at Florence.“Go ask him if he’d like a chef’s table.”
“What’s a deuce?”Salzy asked, looking at the back wall of the kitchen where Jamie had pointed.
“That two top table pushed up against the wall.”
“What’s a chef’s table?”Florence asked.
Jamie shook his head.“See if he’d like to eat back here in the kitchen.”
“What?Are you crazy?”Florence put her hands on her hips.“Who’d want to eat in the kitchen?”
“Believe it or not, in the restaurant I work in...workedin, in Atlanta, people would pay a lot more if they could be in the kitchen where all the action is.”
“You’re kidding.”Florence looked gobsmacked.“You’re serious?”
“I am.”Jamie had taken off his apron that he’d worked in all day and pulled on a fresh, stain-free one.“Now go on,” he shooed the waitress away.
Salzy had pulled the table away from the wall and was cleaning it.Jamie went into the office and pulled out the better of the two chairs.
“Hey, Walter, you got room for me to grill up a steak?Salzy, put on a fresh cook shirt.”
“Sure.”Walter pushed aside some towels he’d stacked up next to him.“Just a steak?”
“Yeah.”Jamie looked out the service window to the dining room.“Dexter, you got that baked potato in the warmer?”
“Yes, boss.”
“Green beans at the ready?”
“Yes, boss.”
Jamie looked up as Florence escorted Mike into the kitchen, frowning as she did so.“Are you sure you want to eat in here?”She asked the big man.
“Yes.”He looked around, his eyes taking in everything.“I’m looking forward to it.I didn’t know this was an option.”
“Hello, Mike.”Jamie walked over to greet his guest, hand out.“Glad you could make it.”
“This is an unexpected treat.”Mike took Jamie’s hand, dwarfing it in size.“I’ve not done a chef’s table in a very long time.”
“Where was the last time?”Jamie thought that Mike may have held onto his hand a second or two longer than usual.
“Alure,” he answered, but watching Walter as he answered.
“In New York City?”Jamie was stunned.The Alure was one of the best restaurants in the country.It has two Michelin Stars, and Jamie could only dream of working in such a kitchen.
“Yes, that would be the one.”Mike grinned.“It was really an experience.”
“Wow.”Jamie blinked.“Maybe I shouldn’t have offered you a table back here then.We’re nothing even close to that.”
Mike chuckled.“I wouldn’t expect it to be.”He looked around.“I am looking forward to what you’ve cooked up for me.”He smiled brightly.
I could get lost in those dark blue eyes.His smile is...sexy.
“Flo, could you get his drink order and then I’ll take care of the rest.”
