Spark (Heat #2)(18)

I walk into what will soon be the bustling dining room of Nova. The walls have been painted a pale shade of grey. The light hardwood floors are partially installed and the sublime lighting fixtures are all in place.

It's definitely different than old Nova in both design and size. I haven't heard the exact number of seats for dinner service, but I can tell that it's at least thirty percent more than our old location.

Tyler was quoted, in a Times article last summer, as saying that he wished that Nova could seat more people. Ironically, it soon will. Hunter announced just yesterday that reservations are filled for the first four months after opening. Success definitely follows Chef Monroe wherever he goes.

"Can you help me unload a crate of plates?" Drea taps me on the shoulder.

"You're in today?" I glance at the large, stainless steel clock that is hanging on the wall. It's a temporary adornment for the contractor's crew. They're only permitted to work ten hours a day, and not a minute more. They never stray from that. Once the clock nears quitting time, they start packing up. Union rules are iron clad, apparently, even if a job is half-done when the clock strikes six.

"Darrell wanted me here to help with organizing the kitchen." She looks confused. "You know I'm back full-time, right?"

I didn't know that. I haven't kept track of what's been going on at Nova other than my own schedule. Darrell asked me to help out three days a week, mostly mornings. I've done everything from washing pots and pans to helping him prep some of the tasting menus.

The kitchen is complete, for the most part, and Darrell and a few of the other chefs, chosen by Tyler, have put the space to good use. They've been cooking sample plates as they ready for the opening.

We're still a few weeks away from that but under Tyler's watchful eye, the staff has been closing in on what will be a new, seasonal menu to relaunch Nova.

"I'm not working." I glance over Drea's shoulder toward the kitchen. "Is Chef Monroe around?"

"Not anymore." She shakes her head. "He took off with Maribel about an hour ago. They went out to celebrate."

"Celebrate?"

Tyler's birthday party isn't for another few days but maybe Maribel took it upon herself to treat him to an early celebratory lunch. I don’t feel an ounce of anxiety over the fact that she seems to have a crush on my boyfriend. I know he finds it flattering. I think it's sweet.

"Her promotion," she says effortlessly. "Maribel was so stoked when she heard that she's a senior chef so the two of them went out to toast to her success."

***

"I guess that from now on, I'm technically your boss, Cadence." Mirabel tosses that gem right into my face when she arrives back at Nova.

"Congratulations," I manage through clenched teeth.

I have no right to be as pissed as I am that she was offered the position. She's been with the restaurant longer than I have. She's skilled and deserves to be recognized for her talent.

She's not as good a chef as I am though. Tyler told me that himself.

"You're happy for me, aren't you, Cadence?"

"I am." My traitorous mouth just pops that out.

She claps her hands together loudly as she surveys the space. "I knew you would be. I'm going to make sure every junior chef in the kitchen works as hard as they can for Tyler. He deserves it. I'll the best senior chef that he's ever had."

I'm so irritated that all I can do is nod.

"Can I tell you a secret?" She curves her index finger in the air. "Someone else who works here is going to be a senior chef too but you can't tell anyone I told you that."

My heart strums in my chest. It's a happy beat. She has to be talking about me. I'm more experienced than any other junior chef at Nova. I'm actually going to be promoted too. I can barely contain my excitement as I wait for her to confirm it. "You can tell me."

"You promise you'll act super surprised when Chef announces it?"

I nod my head feverishly. "I'll put on a great show. He'll never know that you told me, Marbiel. I promise."

She pulls on the sleeve of my blouse. I quickly realize that she wants me to stand in the corner with her even though we are the only two people in the dining room. Everyone else followed Tyler into the kitchen when he got back with Maribel from their celebratory drink, or drinks, judging by the slight slur in her voice.

"I'm not supposed to tell anyone." She looks back over her shoulder toward the kitchen. "Chef won't like it if he knows I told you, but we're friends, right?"

"We are." My mouth curves into a genuine smile. It has taken time but I feel like we're fringing on the border of what could be a real friendship. The age difference doesn't matter to me. I like Maribel and since we'll both be taking on more responsibility when Nova reopens, we'll be able to lean on each other, not only as co-workers, but also as friends.

"Someone is coming." She turns toward the approaching footsteps. "I better tell you now."

I arch both brows, craning my neck so I can hear her.

"It's Rolly. Rolly is getting bumped up to senior chef right alongside me."





CHAPTER 17


I stare at her lips.