Page 20 of The Chef

“Dominika,” I say, nodding out of the doorway. “Can we talk in the kitchen?”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

“With or without Bay?”

I scowl at my restaurant manager. I really don’t have time for her cheeky games.

“What do you think?”

“Sure, I’ll come outside.”

I glare at Bay sitting in the chair directly in front of me. “You sit right there and don’t touch anything. You’ll be leaving in a moment, so don’t get too comfortable.”

Bay shrugs back. “Well, this is, by far, the weirdest interview I’ve ever been in.”

“Excuse me for a moment, Bay.” Dominika stands and follows me out of the manager’s office. I catch her giving a sweet smile to Bay just as she leaves.

What is this? Girl power? Gang up on Cliff day?

I storm into the kitchen, making it obvious to Dominika how angry I’m feeling. She struts in behind me, taking her sweet-ass time to follow like she’s twisting the dagger into my restraint. We stand by the pots and pans, me with my arms crossed and Dominika flicking her long blonde hair back over her shoulder nonchalantly.

“Kick her out,” I command. “Now.”

“No.”

“Throw her out of my restaurant.”

“No.”

“She’s not welcome here.”

“She is,” Dominika replies, her hard European face unflinching. A wall. “I’m actually thinking of hiring her.”

I splutter. “What?”

“You heard me.”

“No way are we to have her on staff.”

“Why not? What happened between you two? Tell me what’s got you so riled up.”

“She chucked a glass of water over me.”

Dominika laughs, covering her mouth with her hand. “That’s it?”

“She did it in public. She humiliated me.”

“She called you a dick in there. Were you acting like a dick? Is that why she did that?”

“No.” I’m incredulous.

“Be truthful.”

“No.”

“Really? I know you, Cliff. You can be a right ass sometimes.”