Rituals for Love (9781476761893) (16 page)

We went into the den and sat next to each other on the sofa. Cain kicked off his shoes and unbuttoned the top buttons on his shirt. “What are you watching?”

“Food Network.”

“Is this the show where the chefs get cut after each round?”

“It's called
Chopped
, honey.”

“That's what I said.” He laughed. “You would be great on this show.”

“I love seeing what these chefs come up with. You have to be creative to make a dish with those random items provided in the basket.”

“Jeremiah thought about trying to get on the show.”

“He should. I would get a kick out of seeing someone I know compete on there.”

“Oh, by the way, we decided to hire Riley.”

“Before the week residency is even complete?”

“Yeah, she has what it takes. Jeremiah said she handled herself expertly in the kitchen. Her food was delicious and she got along well with the staff.”

“Well, congratulations on your new chef.”

“Thanks, I think it's going to work out this time. Eden2 will finally have an executive chef to help the location flourish.”

“Did you tell Riley yet?”

“This afternoon and she accepted the position. She's thrilled about the opportunity. I want to get her up and running as soon as possible. I'm going to fly to Atlanta on Sunday and have her start on Monday.”

“You'll be gone a week?”

“I'll be back the following Sunday. While I'm there, I plan to check on some of my other businesses. I especially want to meet with the project manager on a commercial property I'm developing in downtown Atlanta.”

“Okay, but I want you to come by Genesis before you go.”

“I can go tomorrow.”

“It might be better to wait until Saturday. Three days make a big difference the way those crews are working.”

“We can go together on Saturday afternoon. If you have any concerns, you can show me and we'll get them resolved.”

“I'll have Hal meet us there.”

My phone vibrated on the coffee table. I picked it up and read the text message on the screen.
Thinking about my ideal

I placed the phone back on the table. It vibrated again. I leaned over and read it.

Caring

Another message popped on the screen.

Considerate

And then another vibrated the phone.

Compassionate

“Is it something important?” Cain asked.

“Not at all.” I grabbed my phone and powered it down. I snuggled up beside Cain and watched the final round of the cooking show. Someone was about to get chopped.

I
was already in my seat and drinking a cup of coffee when Riley boarded the plane. She was wearing a pair of dark, oversized sunglasses. She sat in the seat next to mine and buckled up.

“Late night?” I asked.

“No, I don't sleep well in hotels. A week away has taken its toll. They almost asked me to check the bags beneath my eyes.”

We shared an early morning laugh. Our flight to Atlanta was scheduled to depart at seven. I had my assistant change Riley's seat to first class next to mine so we could discuss the week ahead at Eden2. I needed her to be ready to get in the kitchen and take command.

Riley asked the flight attendant for a cup of black coffee.

“Straight no chaser, huh?”

“It's the only way to drink it,” she said.

“I have to disagree. Cream, no sugar takes the edge off.”

“Right now I need the edge.” The flight attendant handed Riley the coffee and she immediately sipped from the cup.

“Did you at least get a chance to enjoy New York while you were here?”

“On Friday I spent the day in the city. That was nice.”

“Where did you go?”

“I was a real tourist. I went to the Empire State Building, Times
Square, Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History and the Apollo Theater.”

“You managed to do all that in one day?”

“I started early and returned to the hotel really late.”

“Was this your first time in New York?”

“I was here once with my parents when I was kid. I don't remember too much about that visit, so I guess it doesn't count.”

“It counts. This trip just counts more.”

“I was surprised at how friendly people were.”

I did a double take. “Don't tell me you believe all that nonsense about mean New Yorkers?”

“All you hear is that people from New York are so mean and rude. In the movies they portray New Yorkers as tough and you always have to be looking over your shoulder.”

“We really have a bum rap. Some of the nicest people you'll ever meet live in New York City. New Yorkers are always ready to lend a helping hand. I'm sure you experienced people you didn't even know starting a friendly conversation with you.”

“You're right. At every stop on my agenda I met someone new.”

“Spread the word to all your Southern friends that New York is a friendly city to visit.”

She nudged my arm. “Oh, stop.”

We continued to talk about her exploits around the city until the flight attendant collected our cups in preparation for takeoff. I switched my devices to airplane mode and fastened my seatbelt. Riley leaned her head back and stopped talking during the safety instruction video. She was quiet the entire time we taxied and during takeoff. I thought she dozed off, but she removed her sunglasses as soon as the plane leveled off.

“I thought you were sleeping.”

“I was praying. Takeoff is my least favorite part of flying. I typically take a moment to talk to the Big Man upstairs during the first few minutes of the flight.”

“I fly so often for business I'm sort of desensitized to the experience. Every once in a while if we hit an extremely rough patch of turbulence will it get my attention. Otherwise, I'm oblivious.”

“Well, it's nice to have someone to chat with to take my mind off the flight.”

“A Bloody Mary helps, too.” I asked the flight attendant to bring over two drinks. I raised my glass. “To the new chef of Eden2.”

Riley tapped my glass. “I appreciate this opportunity, Cain.”

“I'm looking forward to taking the restaurant to the next level. Are you ready?”

“Positively.”

“It's going to be different than your personal chef experiences. You're making a big change.”

“I realize that. Part of the allure of the position is that it's challenging me to improve my personal best. If I hadn't heard about the position at Eden2, I'd be content as a personal chef. I love what I do. I've been my own boss, have a great clientele and the money has been good.”

“Yet you want to leave that behind?”

“We all have to grow sometimes. This opportunity you're affording me is the next step in my journey as a chef. You mentioned wanting to add a southern flair to the menu. Well, I'm a down-home, Southern girl with formal culinary training and a creative palate. You can't go wrong with that. I understand what you need me to do and I intend to deliver.”

I nodded. Riley got it. Only time would tell if she could walk
the walk and I was willing to give her that chance. “You impressed Jeremiah and that's not easy to do.”

“He was a pleasure to work with. He showed me the ropes on how the kitchen at Eden2 should be run.”

“You know you can always call him if you have any questions. As I mentioned before, the Eden2 experience and the food doesn't need to be one hundred percent the same, but I'm aiming for ninety-five percent.”

“I admire that you have two successful restaurants. That's not easy in this industry.”

“It can be challenging. I'm still trying to carve out my niche in Atlanta. You're going to be an integral part of Eden2's success.”

“No pressure,” she said, with a laugh. She gazed out of the window.

“I'm sure you can't wait to get home after being away for a week.”

“You are so correct. I miss my space and surroundings. I guess this is a role reversal. Are you headed to a hotel for the week?”

“No, I own a home in Buckhead.”

“That was a naïve assumption for me to make.”

“Not necessarily. I could have been staying at a hotel, but I spend enough time in Atlanta that having my own place makes sense. Well, it made sense when Eden2 was under construction. I was spending a lot more time in ATL. Now it's probably underutilized a bit.”

“You have a house you're barely using?”

“I'm there off and on throughout the year.”

When I initially bought the house in Atlanta, I thought I would be spending a lot more time there. My relationship with Jade made me realize that New York was where I wanted to be.

“What do you do while you're in Atlanta?”

“Work.”

“I meant for enjoyment.”

“I honestly don't get out much to enjoy myself while I'm in town. I usually work long days, and when I get home late I'm not up for too much other than relaxing.”

“Do you have plans this afternoon?”

“Nothing other than prepping for a meeting on Tuesday.”

“Well, there's a food festival downtown this weekend. Lots of restaurants and vendors will have booths with different foods and desserts to try. Do you want to get out and enjoy Atlanta?”

I pondered for a moment. Where was it written that I couldn't enjoy myself in Atlanta? I had a house I didn't use, a car in the garage, and an entire day ahead of me. “Sure, I'll check out what Atlanta has to offer.”

I
parked in a lot a few blocks away from the festival and walked along with a cluster of people heading in the same direction as me. As I approached the festival, I saw the crowds. Police were out in the street directing the flow of traffic. I had hoped that the festival would have cleared out some since it was Sunday at four in the afternoon, but I should have known better. I reached my meeting place and scanned the crowd for Riley.

I felt a light tap on my shoulder and turned around. Riley was behind me holding a small plate with some sort of slider in the middle.

“I'm glad you made it,” she said, smiling.

“It looks like you've been here for a while.”

“About an hour and I've already had two of these.” She handed me the plate.

“What's this?” I asked.

“Try it.”

I lifted the top bun. “What's drizzled on the crab cake?”

“It's an arugula pesto that gives it a nice peppery bite.”

I consumed the mini sandwich in two bites. She handed me a napkin. “Thanks.” I wiped my mouth. “That was pretty good.”

“Come on, let's walk around.” She handed me a strip of tickets. “There's a lot more food I want to sample.”

Riley and I navigated the crowd, stopping at a tent with a throng of people surrounding it. “They must be serving something good over here.”

“Lobster empanadas.”

“Sounds like it's worth a try.”

A lady in front of us turned around. “They've run out of the lobster, but they have a braised pork cheek empanada that's to die for. This is my third day at the festival and I keep finding myself at this tent.”

Riley fell into conversation with the woman while we waited on line. I looked around and took in the surroundings. All of the different restaurants, bakeries, breweries, wineries, vendors of sauces, spices, and everything else, were soliciting their wares.

“I think Eden2 should be here next year,” I observed.

“Honestly, I was surprised you weren't already participating. This is the ideal place for us to be. Listen to me.
Us
. I haven't even officially started.”

“As executive chef, I want you to feel like a stakeholder. I need Eden2 to take off. We're in this together.”

“Don't worry. I'll do my part.”

“I wouldn't have hired you if I didn't think you could handle the role.”

We finally made it to the front of the line. Riley asked the trio stationed at the table if they were really out of lobster empanadas. They assured her she would enjoy either the saffron chicken and shrimp, the pork cheek, or their poblano, beef and gouda empanada. I went with two—the pork and the beef. She chose the chicken and shrimp empanada and took a bite before leaving the tent. “You were right. It's delicious. I may be back later,” she said.

We ate while we walked. My braised pork empanada was “melt
in your mouth” tender. The beef had a mild kick from the poblano pepper and not too much cheese to detract from the flavor of the meat. “Definitely the best empanadas I've had.”

“I've tasted some really good food at this festival. Every year these restaurants get better with their offerings.”

“Are there any vegetarian restaurants here?”

“Three or four.”

“Let's check them out. Jade and I are opening a spa with a restaurant that will serve lighter food options, including a few vegetarian dishes. I want to see if they're incorporating any new flavors.”

“You own three restaurants? I was under the impression it was two.”

“The restaurant in Genesis will make three, yes, but it's basically Jade's baby. The spa. The restaurant.”

“It's located in New York?”

“Yes.”

“So Jade owns the restaurant?”

“Something like that.”

She tilted her head to the side. “Oh, I'm sorry. I must be asking too many questions.”

“Not at all. I'm the one who mentioned it.”

“Yes, but I jumped right in with the questions.”

“Really, I don't mind. Genesis is an upscale spa and restaurant in downtown Manhattan. The concept was Jade's idea. It's her project to lead, and she's the boss. You could call me the money guy.”